These are strange times, and as we mentioned during our last ‘Broadway Plugged-In’ show, there are many avenues of support for those who need it.
We want to share some resources with our community that may be helpful for people in the arts industry. There are so many platforms available to you, including helplines, therapists, psychologists and counsellors; so don’t hesitate to seek that support if you want or need it. It can be valuable to just offload your feelings or frustrations to someone who is trained to listen.
Medicare subsidised psychological therapy sessions
As mentioned in the video, one of the initiatives that the government has implemented is the addition of extra psychological therapy subsidies. An additional 10 sessions can now be claimed through medicare for those with a mental health plan.
These sessions are available to people who are:
subject to public health orders restricting their movement within a state or territory issued at any time from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021
required to isolate or quarantine under public health orders
For more information click here and talk to your GP about booking sessions.
The Equity Health Database
Equity has a database of psychologists who specialise in the performing arts, and categorizes these by state, so that you can find someone in your area. Again, once you have found someone you think would suit you, contact your GP to get a referral. Click here for the database.
Art Centre Melbourne
24/7 well being hotline service (1800 959 500)
Free, confidential phone counselling service (opens in new window) available 24/7 for anyone who works in the performing arts industry. Call now to make an appointment, or request to speak to someone immediately about any aspect of your mental health and wellbeing.
24 Hour Support Hotlines
Lifeline 13 11 14
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Beyondblue 1300 224 636
Beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service 1800 512 348
https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ Beyondblue has trained counsellors available 24/7 to support anyone feeling worried or struggling to cope during the coronavirus pandemic. Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone, video and online professional counselling to people who are affected by suicide. Head to Health
https://headtohealth.gov.au/ Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources. DirectLine 1800 888 236
https://www.directline.org.au/ Directline provides confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral for people of all ages and backgrounds in Victoria, Australia. Griefline 1300 845 745
https://griefline.org.au/ Griefline is Australia’s only dedicated grief helpline service that provides counselling support services free of charge to individuals and families. Headspace 1800 650 890
https://headspace.org.au/ Headspace is a national youth mental health foundation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of young Australians. Switchboard Victoria 1800 184 527
Switchboard Victoria is a community based not for profit organisation that provides peer based, volunteer run support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people and their friends, families and allies.