Useful Links to Websites and Apps
Reach Out
www.reachout.com
Great website for young people. Topics include mental health difficulties, exam tips, fighting with your parents and bullying. Also includes an online community forum you can participate in.
Beyond Blue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?
The national depression initiative. It’s a good first point of call for information and support regarding all forms of depression & anxiety. You can also get involves through BlueVoices, the consumer & carer group.
Black Dog Institute
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Good information on mood disorders. There is information on their specialist clinics, current research and education programs. They also hold interactive opportunities including writing competitions, the publishing of books and volunteering.
SANE Australia
http://www.sane.org/
National mental health charity. Runs stigma watch and campaigns for positive change for mental health. Has fact sheets and other multimedia available. Features the “SANE Helpline”. This is not a counselling service, but it does provide confidential information about symptoms, treatments and where to go for support for sufferers and carers.
Lifeline Australia
http://www.lifeline.org.au/
Lifeline provides round the clock phone support to the public. It also provides a range of other services. If you should find yourself in crisis please call
13 11 14
Kids Help Line
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/
Offers round the clock phone counselling to Australians aged 5-25. Also offers online counselling services (restricted hours) and email counselling. An online forum is available. Calls from land lines and pay phones are free and will not show up on your phone bill. It differs for mobile phones depending on your service. Call
1800 55 1800
It’s All Right
http://www.itsallright.org/
This is a youth arm of SANE. It is very user friendly and has basic facts designed for young people and there are a series of stories following characters affected in various ways by mental illness.
EPPIC
http://www.eppic.org.au/
Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre. This website provides more detailed about the early detection of psychosis and intervention.
Butterfly Foundation
http://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/
Supports Australian with eating disorders. Butterfly Foundation aims to change culture surrounding eating disorders, their prevention and treatment. Has a good support network.
Inspire Foundation
http://www.inspirefoundation.org.au/
The organisation behind Reach Out. Inspire looks to equip people with the power to lead happier lives. It has some good resources and is very practically orientated.
Bullying No Way!
http://bullyingnoway.gov.au/
National anti-bullying campaign promoted in schools. Provides information about dealing with bullying in all its forms. The page is designed for students, parents and teachers.
Open minds
http://www.openminds.org.au/
People Supporting People. A local organisation with programs aimed to empower people with mental illness or brain injury in the community. (Lifestyle support) The website lists all of the services available.
MHAQ
http://www.mentalhealth.org.au/
Mental Health Association. A practical website with support groups, service directories etc. Features live chat and online support, fact files and “find a support group” services.
Stepping Stone Clubhouse
www.steppingstoneclubhouse.org.au/
Stepping Stone Clubhouse is a Brisbane based organisation providing a non-institutional setting where adults with a mental illness give each other support as they work to rebuild their confidence, stamina, concentration, social and vocational skills.
Mood Gym
https://moodgym.com.au
An online, interactive Cognitive Behaviour Therapy skills program for young people aimed at preventing and coping with depression. Part of the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research.
Useful Apps:
Smiling Mind:
A free, modern mindfulness meditation program with exercises that can help you reduce stress and relax. It provides an easy to follow program that will help with the three C’s, “clarity, calmness and contentment”. The program is based on techniques that have been proven to work and was created by a group of psychologists who know their stuff when it comes to youth psychology.
WorkOut:
An online training program that tests and improves your mental fitness. Kick start your brain with training programs that are fun, easy to understand and improve the quality of the mind
Talking Anxiety:
Learn how to manage anxiety face-to-face with people who’ve “been there” and discovered techniques that work and compliment therapy. Features lots of videos of people sharing their experiences, quizzes, the ability to track your progress and a daily tip that can be sent to your phone. Produced in association with SANE Australia.