Support Act Wellbeing Hotline: 1800 959 900 (First Nations dial option 3) www.supportact.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au (Up to 4 free follow up sessions)
National Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Counselling service: 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Mensline: 1300 789 978 https://mensline.org.au/
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 463 www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support
eHeadspace: www.eheadspace.org.au (For young people aged 12-25 yo)
SANE: 1800 187 263 https://www.sane.org/
National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
Blue Knot Foundation: 1300 657 380 www.blueknot.org.au
13YARN: (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support) 13 92 76 https://www.13yarn.org.au/contact-us-13yarn
LGBTIQA+ Switchboard: 1800 184 527 https://www.switchboard.org.au/
SECASA: (Sexual Assault Crisis Line) 1800 806 292 https://www.secasa.org.au/contact-secasa/
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.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
Government via Centrelink or NDIS for those who are neurodiverse or acquire a physical or psychosocial disability.
Alliance Benevolent Funds (they do also support crew, not just actors even though in some states they are referred to as 'Actors Benevolent Funds')
Other benevolent funds can also be explored here:
https://www.meaa.org/benefits/benevolent-and-support-funds/
FORMAL SUPPORTS:
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.
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
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
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/
ADVOCACY SUPPORTS:
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/
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.
VARIOUS SUPPORTS:
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/
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.
