Primary producers and communities affected by the ongoing drought in South Australia will be supported by the roll-out of the South Australian Government’s Drought Mental Health Support Program.

The program is being delivered by SA Health in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions and Preventive Health SA to provide communities with a range of supports. This program will focus on supporting individuals and strengthening families and communities, providing a flexible and coordinated response that reinforces the community connections that are vital to positive mental health and wellbeing and resilience.

The program will include:

• increasing mental health awareness and access to information and support
• community-based activities that focus on connection and reducing isolation
• individual counselling and group-based supports to strengthen relationships, families and communities and to respond to mental health needs
• culturally safe services for Aboriginal communities and culturally and linguistically diverse communities including newly arrived migrant communities and seasonal workers.

Supports may be individualised or group-based and may be delivered through face-to-face, telehealth, and mobile outreach services.

Information about the program will be updated when available.

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope, you can reach out to local services that can provide mental health and wellbeing support.

Mental health support services

Medicare Mental Health provides free, confidential mental health and wellbeing support for anyone in Australia.

Anyone can access these services, even if you have never reached out for mental health support before. You don’t need a Medicare card, referral or appointment.

Depending on your preferences, you can access Medicare Mental Health by:

• calling 1800 595 212 between 8:30am – 5pm weekdays (except public holidays) to speak with a trained professional for advice and connection to appropriate supports, or
• visiting a Medicare Mental Health Centre for face-to-face support

You can learn more about these options and find your nearest Centre below.

• Mount Barker Medicare Mental Health Centre
• Mount Gambier Medicare Mental Health Centre
• Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre
• Port Pirie Medicare Mental Health Centre
• Urgent Mental Health Care Centre

Headspace

Headspace provides early intervention mental health services to 12–25-year-olds across the state supporting young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study issues.

There are 8 centres across regional South Australia, including Berri, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Port August, Port Lincoln, Victor Harbor and Whyalla.

There are a further 5 centres in metropolitan Adelaide including Adelaide CBD, Edinburgh North, Christies Beach, Marion and Port Adelaide.

For more information visit the headspace website.

Telephone, online counselling and crisis services

These mental health helplines and online services can provide for:

Immediate Crisis: For urgent emotional support or when experiencing a mental health crisis.

24/7 Availability: When they need immediate help at any time of day or night.

Confidential Support: For anonymous, confidential conversations with trained counselors.

Regional Access Program

A free professional telephone and online counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people 15 years and older living or working in regional South Australia.

• telephone: 1300 032 186
• website: https://www.saregionalaccess.org.au

Beyondblue

• telephone: 1300 224 636
• website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat

Lifeline

• telephone: 13 11 14
• website: https://www.lifeline.org.au

Men’s Line

• telephone: 1300 789 978
• website: https://www.mensline.org.au/

13YARN

• telephone: 13 92 76
• website: https://www.13yarn.org.au/

Kids Helpline

• telephone: 1800 551 800
• website: https://www.kidshelpline.com.au

eHeadspace

• telephone: 1800 650 890
• website: https://www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace

Urgent Mental Health Assistance

Mental health triage service

For urgent mental health assistance, the mental health triage service is available across South Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• telephone: 13 14 65

SA Health mental health services

Community mental health teams provide recovery focused mental health services to people aged 16 and over living in regional areas of South Australia.

Community Mental Health Services

A range of adult acute and community mental health services are available across metropolitan and regional South Australia. These services provide for:

Non-Emergency Situations: For ongoing mental health support, therapy, and management of chronic conditions.

Scheduled Appointments: When a person needs regular, structured support and can wait for an appointment.

Local Resources: To access local services, support groups, and community programs.

Regional mental health services are provided by 13 community mental health teams across regional South Australia, including an Intensive Community Program at Whyalla, Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

CAMHS is a mental health service for children and young people up to the age of 16 with moderate to severe and complex emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. CAMHS staff are based across different locations in regional South Australia and referrals can be arranged through your GP.

For information about referrals contact CAMHS Connect Service:

• telephone: 1300 222 647

For information about the impacts of traumatic events on children and young people and how you can help, visit the CAMHS Trauma Information webpage.