It’s important to seek help, here’s where you can find help best for you.
3 million Australians are living with anxiety or depression
For Immediate, and urgent help please call 000
Lifeline:
Call: 13 11 14
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
Crisis Support Chat (Available 7pm – Midnight. 7 Days a week): https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/online-services/crisis-chat
BeyondBlue:
Call: 1300 22 4636
Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Web Chat: https://online.beyondblue.org.au/WebModules/Chat/InitialInformation.aspx
Suicide Call Back Service:
Call: 1300 659 467
Finding Help Near You:
Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-professional
Beyond Blue Chat Experience:
During my time writing this article, I wanted to see how easy it was to use the new chat features on these websites. Result? Incredibly easy. I entered my name and a few minor details. I was then put through to a queue where I waited about a minute before being put through to Claudia. These are some excerpts on what was said about how they can help you.
It started off with:
“Thanks for contacting beyond blue Ashlee, my name is Claudia
I just want to let you know what I am able to help you with here at beyond blue. We provide brief counselling and support, information and referrals to other services that may be able to help you.”
I asked her how this service is not only useful for those who are affected by self-harm thoughts, or suicide but people who might be unsure, and who should use this service?
“If someone is experiencing prolonged sadness or stress, for instance, the service is here to point them in the right direction. Someone who is experiencing depression may simply need some strategies right at that moment to help them through. the same with anxiety. In many ways, we are also a preventative service so we can help people not to reach this point by advice and referrals
We also Risk assess every caller and chatter in order that we can appropriately intervene if they are in fact at risk”
Counselling and Advice with Ashlee 