Health and wellbeing support

If you or someone close to you is feeling overwhelmed, stressed or in need of someone to talk to in a disaster. A range of services are listed below including free, confidential an 24/7 help. 

  • In an emergency, call 000 (Triple Zero)
  • Call Emergency Recovery Hotline 1800 560 760 - A single phone line offering a wide range of fire support and relief services  

 

Mental health and wellbeing services

Mount Alexander Shire and Bendigo region

Mount Alexander Shire and Bendigo region mental health and wellbeing services:

Mental Health and Wellbeing Local

3/15 Hopetoun Street, Bendigo
Ph: 03 5497 5600

Age group:
26 years and over

Free, voluntary mental health and wellbeing support for adults experiencing mental health challenges or emotional distress. Services follow a no wrong door approach and include individualised support delivered face‑to‑face, via outreach or telehealth, with walk‑in access available. No referral is required, and support includes connection to other health and social services.

headspace Bendigo

78-80 Pall Mall, Bendigo
Ph: 03 5406 1400

Age group:
12-25 years

Free, confidential mental health, wellbeing and support services for young people. Services include mental health assessment and counselling, alcohol and other drug support, physical and sexual health services, and assistance with education, employment, and social participation. Support is available face‑to‑face and remotely.

CatholicCare Victoria

176/178 McCrae Street, Bendigo
Ph: 03 5438 1300

Face‑to‑face and remote counselling services for individuals, couples and families. Support is available for issues such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, family violence recovery, and relationship difficulties. The service is open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Bendigo Community Health Services

Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, White Hills, North Bendigo and Elmore.

Provides a broad range of integrated health and wellbeing services, including counselling and mental health support. Services are culturally responsive and focus on early intervention, health equity and holistic care for individuals, families and priority communities.

Loddon Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local

19 Helm Street, Kangaroo Flat
Ph: 1800 433 977

Age group:
birth to 11 years

Supports the mental health and wellbeing of children from birth to 11 years of age. Services include early childhood mental health support, child and family wellbeing services, developmental supports, and coordination of care to help families access the right services at the right time.

Bendigo and
District Aboriginal Co-operative

119 Prouses Road, North Bendigo
Ph: 03 5442 4947

Provides culturally safe, holistic health and wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Services include social and emotional wellbeing support, mental health services, primary health care, alcohol and other drug support, family services, and community‑led healing programs.

Dhelkaya Health

142 Cornish Street, Castlemaine
Ph: 03 5471 3555

Provides community‑based mental health and wellbeing support, including counselling, psychosocial support, and care coordination. Services form part of broader hospital and community health care delivered across the Mount Alexander Shire.

Mount Alexander Mental health and Wellbeing Local

Ph: 03 4442 9100

Age group:
26 years and over

Provides free, individualised mental health and wellbeing support for adults, delivered via telephone and telehealth. Support includes mental health treatment, care, and referral pathways, and does not require a doctor referral.

Bendigo Area Mental Health Services

100 Barnard Street, Bendigo

Delivered by Bendigo Health, this specialist public mental health service supports people experiencing mental illness or significant psychological distress. Services include assessment, treatment, crisis response, and recovery‑oriented care delivered in partnership with individuals, families, and carers and in a culturally responsive manner.

National

National mental health and wellbeing services:

Kids Helpline

Ph: 1800 55 1800

Age group:
5-25 years

 

Free, confidential 24/7 counselling and support for children and young people.

MensLine Australia

Call: 1300 78 99 78

Free telephone and online counselling for men, providing support with stress, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Lifeline

Call: 13 11 14
Text: 0477 131 114
Chat: lifeline.org.au

Free, 24/7 confidential crisis support and suicide prevention services for anyone in Australia.

Beyond Blue

Call: 1300 224 636

Chat: www.beyondblue.org.au

Free 24/7 mental health support via phone or webchat, providing immediate, confidential assistance without the need for a referral.

Partners in Wellbeing

Call: 1300 375 330

Age group:
18 years and over

Provides free, short‑term phone‑based support to help manage stress, anxiety and mild to moderate mental health concerns.

Yarning Safe ‘N’ Strong

Call: 1800 959 563

 

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) operates Yarning Safe ‘N’ Strong, a free and confidential 24/7 helpline staffed by First Nations‑identified tele‑counsellors who provide social and emotional wellbeing support, yarn through any concerns, and assist with mental health and medical referrals to VAHS or other Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

13YARN

Call: 13 92 76

 

An Indigenous‑led crisis helpline providing free, confidential, 24/7 culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples feeling overwhelmed or distressed, where callers can yarn one‑on‑one with Lifeline‑trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters and be connected to ongoing or specialised services if needed.

 

Support for businesses, farmers and remote communities

National Centre for Farmer Health

The National Centre for Farmer Health provides mental health resources for Victorian farmers and agricultural communities, including:

Business and farm financial counselling

Tailored recovery support is available for affected businesses, including farms:

These services are designed to support longer‑term farm viability, not just immediate relief.

Rural Financial Counselling Services wellbeing counsellors

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers specialist support to farmers and their communities.

They provide:

  • financial counselling
  • wellbeing support for mental stress from financial issues.

    RFCS can help you to:

  • develop strategies to cope with stress
  • recognise signs of poor health in yourself or your workers
  • set up a support network with family, friends or community
  • find groups or activities in the community that can help
  • access health services through referrals.

For more information, call 1300 735 578 or visit the RFCS website.

Rural Financial Counselling Services wellbeing counsellors

The RFCS offers free, confidential wellbeing support alongside their usual financial and business counselling support. Wellbeing counsellors are available to visit bushfire-affected producers and their families at their property or over the phone to assist with mental health and wellbeing issues.

Funding has been provided to support the appointment of a RFCS wellbeing officer in each region serviced by the RFCS.

To access the support of a wellbeing counsellor, call the RFCS on 1300 771 741.

Royal Flying Doctor Service – Flying Doctor Wellbeing

Flying Doctor Wellbeing is a free mental health and wellbeing service for rural and remote Victorian communities.  

Email wellbeing@rfds.vic.gov.au or call 1300 363 788 (Loddon Campaspe/Southern Mallee). 

 

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 

BLKTRX

BLKTRX brings together culturally safe and responsive services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, communities and workforce across Victoria. By improving access to the right support, BLKTRX plays a vital role in strengthening social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention in our communities. 

Visit blktrx.org.au to find culturally safe and responsive mental health, social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention services in your area.

 

Resources