Mental Health Resources for Leaders

“Leading and serving other people  is brutally difficult work, and it requires a level of self-awareness that no one I’ve ever known has without the help of someone else.” – Brené Brown

Every leader needs a mental health toolkit to support their teams and themselves to thrive in uncertainty. Below is a list of resources across a wide range of areas to lean into.

5 Things To Do In A Mental Health Crisis (St John’s Ambulance)

Almost all (96%) of Australians believe that mental health is just as important as physical health. Seven out of 10 Australians have witnessed a colleague displaying at least one symptom of mental health issues in the workplace – yet, 75% believe there are barriers preventing them from providing support.

The most common barrier is that almost half of Australians feel they don’t have the skills to approach situations involving mental health. To help you, here are some pointers to practice when supporting someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Read here.

1800RESPECT
1800respect.org.au | 1800 737 732 | 24×7 support
Confidential information, counselling and support service open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.

Alcohol and Drug Information and Support Services (ADIS) (by State)
aodknowledgecentre.ecu.edu.au
Alcohol and Drug Information and Support Services (ADIS) are state and territory-based services offering telephone counselling, information, referral and support, 24 hours a day, for anyone seeking help for their own or another person’s alcohol or drug use. They also provide information and support services for general practitioners, other health professionals and business and community groups.

Beyondblue
beyondblue.org.au | 1300 22 4636 | 24×7 support
Aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma.

Black Dog Institute
blackdoginstitute.org.au
Information on symptoms, treatment and prevention of depression and bipolar disorder.

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline
blueknot.org.au | 1300 657 380 | 9am-5pm AEST, 7 days
(formerly ASCA Professional Support Line) provides, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, their partners, family and friends, health professionals and anyone in the workplace working with people who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse.

Cancer Council
cancer.org.au/support-and-services | 13 11 20
Cancer Council 13 11 20 is a free, confidential telephone information and support service if you have a question about cancer, or if you’re seeking emotional or practical support for yourself or people affected by cancer.

Carers Australia
carersaustralia.com.au | 1800 242 636
Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health
embracementalhealth.org.au
A national platform for multicultural communities and Australian mental health services to access resources, services and information in a culturally accessible format.

Ethics Centre
ethics.org.au/initiatives/ethi-call
Ethical issues arise in a wide variety of professional environments, and it’s not always possible to address them internally. Professionals need somewhere impartial to turn – someone they can trust and confide in. Ethi-call sessions are a free, confidential one-hour call with an ethics counsellor. Counsellors guide you through a series of questions that help shine a light on the problem you’re trying to solve.


eSaftey
esafety.gov.au
eSafety can help Australians experiencing online bullying or abuse to take action or make a complaint.

Full Stop
fullstop.org.au | 1800 FULL STOP (1800 385 578)
Full Stop Australia is one of the country’s leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery services. Established in the early 1970s by a group of feminists in Redfern, Sydney, the organisation now reaches communities in every state and territory.

Griefline
griefline.org.au
Free counselling support to anyone experiencing grief, loss, and/or trauma Australia-wide.

HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies)
halt.org.au | 0409 756 274
HALT’s vision is that every tradie in Australia knows how to look after their mental health and wellbeing.

Headspace
headspace.org.au | 1800 650 890
Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.

Head to Health
headtohealth.gov.au
An innovative website that can help you find free and low-cost, trusted online and phone mental health resources.

Head to Help
headtohelp.org.au | 1800 595 212
HeadtoHelp supports Victorians of all ages to take the first steps towards finding the mental health and wellbeing support that’s best for you.

Health Direct for Rural and Remote Health
healthdirect.gov.au/rural-remote-mental-health

Healthy Heads
healthyheads.org.au
Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds is a registered not-for-profit foundation that supports the mental health and physical well-being of people working in the transport and logistics industry.

Kids Helpline
kidshelp.com.au | 1800 55 1800
A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Lifeline
lifeline.org.au | 13 11 14 | 24×7 support
Crisis chat: lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat
Crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services.

MATES in Construction, Mining, Energy
mates.org.au | 1300 642 111 | 24×7 support
MATES is a free service to help reduce the high level of suicide among Australian construction workers.

MensLine Australia
mensline.org.au | 1300 78 99 78
A telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way. 

MindSpot Clinic
mindspot.org.au | 1800 61 44 34
An online and telephone clinic providing free assessment and treatment services for Australian adults with anxiety or depression.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
naccho.org.au
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services in each state and territory.

National Debt Helpline
ndh.org.au | 1800 007 007
Financial counselling is available from the National Debt Helpline. Financial counsellors are qualified professionals who provide information, advice and advocacy to people in financial difficulty. Their services are free, confidential, independent and non-judgmental.

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
panda.org.au | 1300 726 306 | 9am-7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri)
Provides a national telephone information, counselling and referral service staffed by trained volunteers, professional counsellors and supervising staff. Many helpline counsellors have had their own experience of perinatal depression or anxiety.

Parentline
parentline.com.au
Free counselling and support for parents and carers. Parentline is a confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Open Arms
openarms.gov.au/get-support/counselling | 1800 011 046 | 24×7 support
Veterans and Families Counselling provides free and confidential, nationwide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and anger.

Qlife
qlife.org.au | 1800 184 527 | 3pm-12am
QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTI people. The project provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer-supported telephone and web-based services to diverse people of all ages experiencing poor mental health, psychological distress, social isolation, discrimination, experiences of being misgendered and/or other social determinants that impact on their health and wellbeing.

ReachOut
au.reachout.com
Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. Practical support, tools and tips to help young people get through anything from everyday issues to tough times – and the information offered to parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.

Relationships Australia
relationships.org.au | 1300 364 277
A provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.

RUOK?
How to ask staff if they’re OK Work Booklet

SANE Australia
sane.org | 1800 18 7263
Information about mental illness, treatments, where to go for support and help carers.

Smart Recovery
smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au
SMART (Self Management and Recovery Training) Recovery is a free group program assisting any problematic behaviours, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, Internet and others.

Smiling Mind
smilingmind.com.au
Smiling Mind provides accessible life-long tools to support healthy minds, via their app and in school and workplace resources.

Suicide Call Back Service
suicidecallbackservice.org.au | 1300 659 467
Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide – people feeling suicidal, people worried about someone and/or people who have lost someone to suicide.

Support after Suicide
supportaftersuicide.org.au
Information, resources, counselling and group support to those bereaved by suicide. Education and professional development to health, welfare and education professionals.

The Butterfly Foundation
thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/our-services/helpline/ | 1800 33 4673 | 8am-midnight (AEST)
Phone, webchat and email support for those experiencing an eating disorder, friends, family, carers and professionals.

The Essentials Network for Healthcare Professionals
blackdoginstitute.org.au/the-essential-network/
Helping healthcare professionals find resources and support to navigate burnout and maintain good mental health. 

WellMob
wellmob.org.au
Social, emotional and cultural well-being online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

WorkWell
worksafe.vic.gov.au/workwell
Supporting business leaders to prevent mental injury and promote a mentally healthy workplace with resources, funding and networking opportunities.

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MENTAL HEALTH AND CORONA VIRUS/COVID-19
coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au
superfriend.com.au/resources/covid-19-support/

For Managers & Workers
blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/coronavirus-resources-for-anxiety-stress/managers-workers/

For young people and families
headspace.org.au/covid-19

Partners in Wellbeing (Victoria)
partnersinwellbeing.org.au
Free support and advice to improve your wellbeing during COVID and beyond – wellbeing coaching, small business support, veterans support.

eSafety
esafety.gov.au/key-issues/covid-19
Tips for staying safe online during the pandemic.

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DIGITAL TOOLS AND APPS
blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/
Online tools and mobile apps for your mental health and wellbeing developed successfully tested through research trials that you can access anywhere at no cost.

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SUPPORT GROUPS & ONLINE FORUMS
blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/support-groups/
Talking about what’s going on with others who understand – or maybe going through something similar – can really make a difference. Our friends at Black Dog Institute have a list of support groups in every state and territory that can help you connect with groups of people who meet regularly to discuss their experiences, their problems and their strategies for coping.

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DARING WAY™ TRAINED HELPING PROFESSIONALS
thedaringway.brenebrown.com/find-a-tdw-facilitator/
Find a clinician and/or coach additionally skilled with Brené’s Daring Greatly and Rising tools, by searching ‘Australia’ via the link above.

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INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
brenebrown.com/international-crisis-resources