Your mental health and wellbeing

Good mental health is about being able to live your life in a positive and meaningful way, deal with the challenges life throws at you and bounce back when things go wrong. It is also involves coping with day-to-day life stresses, feeling connected to others and being involved in your community.

Feeling down, tense, angry or anxious are all normal emotions. But when these feelings persist for long periods of time and start affecting what you would normally do or enjoy, they may be part of a mental health challenge. If you have noticed a change in how you are feeling and thinking it may be helpful to talk to someone about what’s going on in your life.

Looking after your mental health

There are a number of things you can do to look after and maintain your mental health and well-being. Check out these links for information and support available.

Headspace
This website is packed with information about good mental health, practical tips for a healthy headspace and what you can do to support a friend who is going through a tough time.

Head to Health
Whether you want to improve your overall sense of well-being, or you need help with something that is concerning you, or you are helping someone you care about, Head to Health can point you to great online mental health resources.

Youth Beyond Blue
This website provides information about anxiety, depression and suicide to young people in Australia aged 12–25.
1300 224 636

ReachOut
Online support service for young people going through tough times, with practical tools and support and plenty of resources on depression and anxiety.

Kids Helpline
A 7-day, 24-hour counselling service for children and young people aged 5-25 years. Available by telephone and online. No problem is too big or too small.
1800 55 1800

The YOU website also provides great advice on how to stay mentally and emotionally healthy.

You can also talk to your GP or find a mental health professional.

For immediate help

If you feel so depressed that you want to harm yourself, it is important to talk to someone right now.

Tell a person you trust or call one of the helplines listed below. In an emergency call triple zero (000), contact your doctor or mental health crisis service, or go to your local hospital emergency department.

Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800

Youthline
02 9951 5522

Lifeline
13 11 14

Mental Health Information Service
1300 794 991

Salvo Crisis Line (suicide prevention)
02 9331 2000