Support Act Wellbeing Hotline: 1800 959 900 (First Nations dial option 3) www.supportact.org.au
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Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
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Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au (Up to 4 free follow up sessions)
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National Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Counselling service: 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au/
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Mensline: 1300 789 978 https://mensline.org.au/
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Beyond Blue: 1300 22 463 www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support
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eHeadspace: www.eheadspace.org.au (For young people aged 12-25 yo)
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SANE: 1800 187 263 https://www.sane.org/
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National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015
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Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
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Blue Knot Foundation: 1300 657 380 www.blueknot.org.au
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13YARN: (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support) 13 92 76 https://www.13yarn.org.au/contact-us-13yarn
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LGBTIQA+ Switchboard: 1800 184 527 https://www.switchboard.org.au/
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SECASA: (Sexual Assault Crisis Line) 1800 806 292 https://www.secasa.org.au/contact-secasa/
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​PLEASE NOTE: If an emergency call 000 to get assistance from Police, Ambulance or Fire Services or present to the emergency department of your local hospital.
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
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Government via Centrelink or NDIS for those who are neurodiverse or acquire a physical or psychosocial disability.
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Alliance Benevolent Funds (they do also support crew, not just actors even though in some states they are referred to as 'Actors Benevolent Funds')​
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Other benevolent funds can also be explored here:
https://www.meaa.org/benefits/benevolent-and-support-funds/
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FORMAL SUPPORTS:
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Mental Health Care Plan
Seeing your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) of which you are entitled to up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions per calendar year with a Psychologist. A portion of the service fee is covered by Medicare and some providers give additional discounts for financial hardship.
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You may also be entitled to carer payments if it is a family member or you are a guardian.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-and-medicare?context=60092
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Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) or Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC)
Seeing your GP for a plan where you can claim up to 5 visits with a health care professional each calendar year with a portion of the service fee reimbursed by Medicare.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/chronic-disease-management-plan?context=20
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MEAA Wellbeing resources:
A list of registered providers such as counsellors and psychologists who are specifically linked to the creative industry. ​https://www.meaa.org/campaigns/entertainment-wellness/
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ADVOCACY SUPPORTS:
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Media, Enterainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) Union 1300 656 513 https://www.meaa.org/contact/
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) (03) 9380 3900 https://www.vmiac.org.au/
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​NB: For a more comprehensive list or if you’re looking for an advocate in a specific field, you may want to research on the internet for providers in your specific state.
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VARIOUS SUPPORTS:
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A great website with a search engine for all needs including accommodation, financial, domestic and family violence, food, health and wellbeing, advocacy and everyday needs is https://askizzy.org.au/
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PLEASE NOTE: I do not endorse or recommend any of the professionals listed or mentioned on this page. The providers or organisations mentioned are intended only as a guide to get you started and does not substitute for your own research or individual and unique needs. Only you can make that decision.
