Mental health and suicide prevention

Mental health

Mental health issues affect people of all ages. Approximately one in five people in Australia aged between 16 - 85 years of age will experience a mental illness in any year. Mental illness can diminish quality of life, disrupt productivity and result in considerable distress for the person and their family.

Suicide

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 25 - 44 years and the second leading cause of death for young people aged 15 - 24 years. Every day, at least six people will die by suicide in Australia with a further 30 people attempting to take their own life.

For immediate crisis support, please call:

• Police: 000
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
• Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are a number of online and telephone services available to support positive mental health.

Mental Health First Aid Australia run workshops regularly to educate the community on how to assist people experiencing a mental health crisis. In addition to the general Mental Health First Aid course, there are a number of courses that are specific to helping young people, older people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

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Local services

• Anglicare
• Eastern Sydney Suicide Prevention Network
• Haymarket Foundation
• Headspace Bondi Junction
• Jewish House
• JewishCare - Mental Health
• Lifeline Eastern Suburbs - Bondi
• Mental Health Carers NSW
• Prince of Wales Hospital
• St Vincent's Mental Health Service
• WAYS - Waverley Action for Youth Services

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Other useful support services and resources:

• Beyondblue - 1300 246 36
  Offers short-term counselling and referrals by phone and webchat.
• Lifeline - 13 11 14
  Crisis support service available 24/7 via telephone, text and webchat.
• Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line - 1800 171 866
  This free service has been established to answer COVID-related questions and to provide help, support and resources to Older Australians impacted by COVID-19 in any way. Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 6pm (excluding public holidays)
• NSW Mental Healthline - 1800 011 511
  Offers professional help and advice and referrals to local mental health services.
• MensLine Australia - 1300 789 987
  Resources, phone and online counselling, specifically for men and fathers.
• Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
  Telephone counselling support service for children and young people.
• ReachOut
  Online self-help resource for young people (and their carers) who may be struggling with their mental health.
• Black Dog Institute
  Offers webinars in an effort to reach out to those who have trouble attending or accessing face to face sessions.
• NSW Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
  Nationwide service that provides professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide.
• Domestic and family violence support - 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
  A 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence.
• Head to Health
• Headstart

Click on the image below to download a printable pdf of useful mental health support services.

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Council's role

Council supports and promotes a range of mental health activities and initiatives in the area. It provides assistance to service providers and support groups by facilitating access to community facilities and through the Grants program.

Woollahra Council provides secretarial support to the Eastern Sydney Suicide Prevention Network which is a community led group raising awareness around mental health and suicide. Through this Network, Council funds the Suicide Impacting Me Support Group for people who have been touched by suicide.

Council hosts monthly ‘Skill Up’ workshops for the community which focus on mental health and wellbeing.

Gap Park Masterplan(PDF, 8MB) - a suicide prevention initiative in partnership with the Federal Government and Woollahra Council, with support from the NSW Police, The Black Dog Institute and Lifeline.

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Enquiries

For more information, please contact:

Telephone: 9391 7000
Email: community@woollahra.nsw.gov.au