Mental Health Resources

Quick Links

  • Townsville City Council Health Services Directory - click here and type in 'Mental Health' to go to the mental health Service Directory
  • Centacare Programs - click here
  • Centacare Early Intervention Services Course Calendar - click here

Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of NSW have been funded by the Australian Government to produce up-to-date, evidence-based information on the management of co-morbid drug and alcohol and mental health problems and two sets of guidelines on managing these issues were released on 3 February 2010.

The updated Guidelines on the Management of Co-occurring Alcohol and Other Drug and Mental Health Conditions in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Settings are available on the NDARC website. These guidelines show clinicians how to help their clients reduce their drinking, as well as how to reduce alcohol-related harm to themselves and others.

The Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol Problems are available at www.alcohol.gov.au

Drug Info Clearinghouse. 
Contains information on drugs and drug prevention to workers and the community. Drug Info Clearinghouse is a service provided by the Australian Drug Foundation. As a clearinghouse, DrugInfo collects, interprets and disseminates information on drug prevention. The service functions as drug prevention network, providing easy access to information about alcohol and other drugs, and drug prevention. Professionals and members of the general community can use the service as their first port of call for information from local, national and international sources.

Drug Dependency Unit (DDU) Information:

DDU Covering Letter
DDU Tips for Prescribing S8 Drugs Brochure
DDU Important Notice for All Patients
DDU S8 Telephone Enquiry Poster

  • Know Cannabis
    This website can help clients assess their cannabis use, its impact on their life and how to reduce or stop cannabis use.
  • Councelling Online
    A 24 hour, 7 day a week alcohol and other drug online counselling and referral service.
  • National Inhalants Information Service (NIIS) 
    Is the first central online service in Australia that provides information about inhalant misuse. The website contains fact sheets, resources, links, interventions and information on inhalant use.
  • Drug Info Clearing House 
    Is a program of the Australian Drug Foundation. The website provides easy access to a broad range of information and fact sheets about alcohol and other drugs and drug prevention.
  • Youth beyondblue - Drug use and your Mental health fact sheet on drug use and how it affects mental health
  • What are you doing to yourself 
    Is a youth oriented website provides information about alcohol, including safe drinking limits, drink spiking, mixing alcohol and other drugs and links to help lines.
  • The Australian Drug Foundation 
    Alcohol and Drug Information with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples focus, including fact sheets and links
  • Royal Womens Hospital, Victoria 
    Alcohol and Drugs during pregnancy, including information, links and resources.
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs 
    Promotes a healthier approach to alcohol use and also discusses the links between mental health and alcohol and drug use
  • Department of Health and Ageing 
    Current alcohol and treatment guidelines and information about alcohol-related health issues and Australian Government policy.
  • Substance Misuse Management in General Practice 
    (SMMGP) is a UK network to support GPs & other members of the primary health care team who work with substance misuse. The project team produces the SMMGP newsletter (Network) & organises the annual conference 'Managing Drug Users in General Practice'.
  • Addiction Treatment Forum 
    Reports on substance abuse and addiction research, therapies, news and events of interest to both healthcare professionals and clients.
  • OnTrack Alcohol
    Aims to help people cut back on their drinking. The program was written by psychologists and uses methods that have been shown in research to be helpful.
  • OnTrack Alcohol and Depression
    Aims to help people improve their mood and cut back on their drinking. The program was written by psychologists and uses methods that have been shown in research to be helpful.

Contacts

Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland (MIFNQ) www.mifnq.org.au

WellWays Duo 
Is a support and information program run by the Mental Illness Fellowship NQ for family and carers of person living with mental illness and co-existing substance use. The program runs for six 3 hourly sessions and includes group discussions, practical information and guest speakers. Contact Glenda Blackwell on 1800 455 455 or 47253664 or email on GBlackwell@mifnq.org.au

Cannabis information and helpline 1800 304 050

Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1800 177 833

Antenatal and Postnatal Depression

Perinatal Contacts

Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland (MIFNQ)
The Pre and Post-natal Distress Support Program Facilitator, counselor and contact person is Lyn Tyson
Her contact details are: Tel: (07) 47253664 or (07) 47281911 or 1800 455 455
Email: LTyson@mifnq.org.au 

Centacare
Phone (07) 4772 9000 or reception@centacarenq.org.au
Circle of Life Program is a holistic counselling, education and support service which assists individuals, couples and families to work through their pregnancy-related concerns. 

Child, Youth and Family Health Services (Queensland Health)
Kirwan Health Campus, provide a suite of Perinatal services:

Monday:
Northern Beaches Community Centre       9am – 2pm

Tuesday:  
Early Years Centre, Fulham Rd                 9am – 2pm

Thursday:
Upper Ross Community Centre                 9am – 2pm

Friday:
Fairfield Waters Amcal Chemist               9am – 12pm  

Saturday mornings:
Early Years Centre, Fulham Rd                 9am – 12pm

Monday:
Friendlies Chemist Castletown
(Child Health Nurse only)                        9am - 12pm

  • IMPS Day Stay Centre – an educational day stay covering topics such as feeding, sleeping and development for parents and infants as well as postnatal problems and coping with parenthood.
  • Early Intervention Service (EIS): provide information sessions, counselling and group therapy services (there is also a specific referral form located on the TMML website - Mild to Moderate Mental Distress (Specific Issues).

Bipolar

beyondblue
Provides information, resources and lists organisations related to bipolar disorder

Black Dog Institute 
Educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility dedicated to improving understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. The website provides information on mood disorders and depression

Carers

Carers Australia
Carers Australia is a national organisation for carers of people with disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged.

Mental Illness Fellowship
Supports families and carers of people with a mental illness

Depression and Anxiety

Beyondblue 
 Provides information, resources and lists organisations related to depression

Depression Net.
DepNet provides information about depression and is aimed towards people that suffer from depression, family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances, GPs, Psychiatrists, Psychologist and other health care providers, DepNet directs sufferers and their families to available community resources where they can seek help and offers a secure chat room, debate area and letterbox enabling browsers to talk of their experiences and to direct questions to trained medical professionals

My Compass
Is an interactive, self-help service with online modules to assist in the management of mild to moderate stess, anxiety and depression.

Black Dog Institute
 Is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility dedicated to improving understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. The website provides information on mood disorders and depression.

In recognition of the need to promote awareness of the issues within the GLBTI communities and to promote available support services, beyondblue has developed this resource.

General

Mood Gym
Web-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to prevent depression.

SANE
SANE Australia is national charity helping people affected by mental illness through campaigns, education and research. This website contains downloadable facts sheets mental illness related topics and a bookshop. It also has an online Helpline available for people wanting to ask questions about mental illness and related topics. Phone 1800 18 SANE (7263). 

Treatment Guidelines for Mental Health
University of Adelaide. Created by Maureen Bell

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service
A service founded by Veitnam veterans

Government

Federal Government 
Containing mental health info, crisis and support contacts, publications, resources and special access programs.

Better Health Channel
Victorian Government Health Website. Contains information about health conditions and services, an "ask the expert" section, a smoking cost calculator and BMI calculator as well as an online library

Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) is a Queensland Health funded research unit based at The Park Centre for Mental Health Treatment, Research and Education, in the West Moreton Health District, Brisbane. QCMHR conducted mental health research programs in:

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Neurobiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Policy and Economics

Multicultural Mental Health

Diversity Health Institute (DHI)
Is a consortium of public health organisations that work together to improve the health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community.

Mental Health Act Forms

Older Persons

Dementia Help Line p:1800 639 331 | e: helpline@alzheimersoline.org

Queensland Health

Queensland Health website is the one-stop shop for people trying to locate a mental health service, seeking information on mental illness or are looking at work in health.

Suicide

The Living Is For Everyone (LIFE) website. Is a World-class suicide and self-harm prevention resource managed by Crisis Support Services and funded by the Department of Health and Ageing. Dedicated to providing the best available evidence and resources to guide activities aimed at reducing the rate at which people take their lives in Australia. The LIFE website is designed for people across the community who are involved in suicide and self-harm prevention activities.

The Australian Early Intervention Network site provides access to information, links and contact details to services and sites, media information, fact sheets and suicide prevention information. LIFE Fact Sheets

The "living is for everyone" website contains LIFE Fact Sheets: a set of 24 plain-language, practical fact sheets for suicide and self-harm prevention. These fact sheets are suitable for GPs, Allied Health and patients. Click here to view Fact Sheets

Child and Youth

Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd (AICAFMHA) - 
This site contains projects, subscription to email news, events and conferences, and have your say section.

Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Greif Network
These resources will help you to understand the impact of trauma, loss and grief experiences on children and young people, and how to best help those young people who have been affected.

Child and Youth Health (South Australia)
Contains information pertaining to parenting, child health and youth health. There are sections for parents, children and adolescents with fact sheets and information on a range of topics.
 
Children of Parents with Mental Illness
Website designed for people working with families affected by parental mental illness. Contains downloadable information for general practice. Also contains information about relevant books, facts sheets, videos, CDs and programs and services available in Australia for children of parents with mental illness and their families.

Embrace The Future
Information website for youth. Provides information about mental health issues and other youth issues.

headspace www.headspace.org.au   

headspace Townsville website

Head Room
This site provides mental health resources for 6 - 12 year olds and 12 to 18 year-olds, as well as for parents and professionals

Kids Helpline
Online version of kids helpline. Young people can chat to a counsellor online and access information about bullying.

Like It Is
Provides young people with information about contraception and emergency contraception; STIs; teenage pregnancy: coping with puberty, peer pressure and bulling; sexuality; and periods. Contains a help and advice section.

Mind Matters
Mental health promotion program for secondary schools. The site contains the curriculum, professional development, project information, resources, newsletter.

Reach Out
Australia's leading online youth mental health service.

Reach Out Pro 
Providing information about mental health to health professionals and youth support workers

Siblings Australia
National organisation committed to improving the support available for siblings of children and adults with chronic conditions including disability, chronic illness and mental health issues.

Somazone
Young people's website developed by young people for young people with the assistance of Australian Drug Foundation. This website aims to empower young people to address their physical, emotional and social health needs. Young people can ask questions from health professionals.

YBBlue
A youth program of beyondblue: the national depression initiative - is about getting the message out there that it's okay to talk about depression, and to encourage young people, their family and friends to get help when it's needed. The website contains information on depression and anxiety, checklists, 19 new youth specific factsheets, e-cards, stories from young people about their experiences and much more