Agencies who can help you

There are many organisations located in the Yarra Ranges that are dedicated to providing mental health support to people when they need it. It is ok to ask for help and support is available.

Mental health support services to help if you are in need include Anglicare, Inspiro, Youth Help Hub, Head to Help, Eastern Health and more. Below is a full list of services that are available to the Yarra Ranges community and this list also includes phone numbers to 24-hour hotlines and links to online resources. 

• Services in the local and eastern region
• 24 hour/online services - Victoria/Australia wide
• Crisis support services
• Directories and online resources
• Other mental health support services
• Mental Health Care Plans
  

Lifeline: 131 114  24-hour telephone counselling, information and referral service.
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 Provides information on depression and anxiety. To access professional counselling services, please make contact with your GP and ask for a referral.

Rural Health Connect is an online platform that links people to psychologists over video calls and phone calls. Australians deal with drought, bushfire, floods and isolation on top of all of life’s other pressures yet access psychologists at less than a fifth of the rate of people in cities. 

They provide a direct, free of charge, link to a provisional psychologist, without needing to see your GP for a mental health care plan.

Provisional psychologists are students in their 5th and 6th years of study, who are gaining their final experience before registration. All provisional psychologists complete regular sessions with board approved supervisors .

This service is for children, adolescents and adults who are noticing signs that they may not be functioning at their best, as a method of early intervention. If you have a diagnosed mental illness please speak to your GP about what would be the best service for you.

This pilot is for people in rural and regional Victoria only.

Signs that you might not be functioning at your best include frequent feelings of sadness, trouble concentrating, feeling overwhelmed, problems with your work, family or social relationships.

It's important to remember that all Medicare cardholders are also eligible for 10 subsidised individual and 10 group mental health appointments per year — referred to as a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Australians affected by COVID-19 can also access an additional 10 sessions per calendar year until 30 June 2022.

The Storm and Flood Financial Counselling Program is open to Victorians affected by the June 2021 storms and floods on 1800 560 760 and is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

The program can connect you to a financial counsellor to help you to:

Speaking to a financial counsellor early can help stabilise your finances, reduce stress and allow you to focus on other areas.  

Council's website has a wide range of information on financial and material assistance available. 

People and families eligible for assistance may have experienced:

• loss of housing
• loss of other assets (for example, car, equipment, clothing, personal items etc.)
• loss or impeded access to essential services (electricity, gas, water)
• significant psychosocial trauma
• significant physical trauma
• business impacts or loss.

If you or somebody you know is experiencing family violence, access one of the support services below. You can also visit the DHHS website for more advice and access to support services. If a person is in immediate danger call 000.

There are many organisations located in the Yarra Ranges that are dedicated to providing family violence support to people when they need it. It is ok to ask for help and support is available.

Family violence support services to help if you are in need include EDVOS, 1800 RESPECT, The Orange Door, Kids Helpline, Safe Steps and Sexual Assault Crisis Line. Below is a full list of services that are available to the Yarra Ranges community and this list also includes phone numbers to 24-hour hotlines and links to online resources.  

• Services in the local and eastern region
• Feeling unsafe or need advice? Help is at hand 
• What is family violence? What you need to know
• Supporting someone else experiencing family violence
  
  

Lifeline: 131 114  24-hour telephone counselling, information and referral service. 

October 2022

If you are in contact with Windermere support services, you may experience a delay or changing appointments due to their services being needed in the flooded areas of Victoria.

Council is in contact with the services and aware that their resources are currently being stretched and hope the matter will be sorted shortly. 

We shall keep you informed by this newsletter and Councils Recovery website.

Windermere

Windermere Recovery support residents of the June 2021 storm-impacted region and will work with you and your family to help navigate the various support services that may be available to you.

Support provided by case workers may include:

• A discussion about your needs and what next steps might be appropriate.
• Information and support to connect to local services for additional support.
• Advocacy for priority access if required for your circumstances.
• Assistance with completing applications and paperwork required for grant or financial claim processes with other organisations & government.
• Outreach visits by our staff with other services if this is helpful to your situation.

To access this program or find out more: Phone: 0408 521 320 Email: stormrecovery@windermere.org.au

Disasters like the severe storm event in June can lead to complicated legal issues for our community, including insurance matters, or exacerbate existing issues like family violence. These issues may particularly start to show up in the recovery period following the disaster.

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is offering free information, advice and referrals for anyone in the Eastern Region including the storm affected areas. All ECLC services are free.

Appointment times available:
Thursdays 2pm-4pm

If you are uncertain about your insurance details, or have questions about the claims process the Insurance Council of Australia can help. They can provide advice about insurance and assist you with any claims process.

Appointment times available:
Wednesdays 9am-11am

Yarra Ranges Council Environmental Health Officers, Planning Officers and Building Officers are available via virtual appointment. Our officers can help you by providing expert advice and guidance.

Appointment times available:
Planners available Thursdays 9am-12pm
Environmental Health Officers available on request.