The South Australian Government’s Drought Mental Health Support Program will support farmers and communities affected by the ongoing drought.

The program, delivered by SA Health together with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions and Preventive Health SA, aims to provide people, families and communities with a range of resources to support their mental health and wellbeing.

Through this program, you can access:

• community-based activities that focus on connection and reducing isolation
• individual counselling and group-based supports to strengthen relationships, and support families and communities 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.

Support is flexible and can be offered face-to-face, virtually (telehealth), or through mobile outreach services.

For help in a mental health emergency, call the Mental Health Triage Service on 13 14 65 – available 24/7.

Local mental health support

If you or someone you know is struggling, a range of trusted mental health organisations are available for support locally across drought affected regions in South Australia.

To access support, contact one of the following services in your region, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Medicare Mental Health

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.

Phone: 1800 595 212
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (except public holidays)

You can also walk into any of the following services for free, immediate mental health support – no Medicare card, referral or appointment required.

Headspace

Headspace provides early intervention mental health services to anyone aged 12–25 across the state. The service provides support for young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug, 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 support

These mental health helplines and online services provide immediate and confidential support during a crisis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

Regional Access Program

A free professional telephone and online counselling 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

Community 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.

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.