Patient Information

For Families and Carers

Emergency and crisis support

See the Emergency and Crisis Support page

Getting help for mental health issues

See the Getting Help for Mental Health Issues page

Information about mental health issues for families and carers

Tips for families on helping a young person to maintain good mental health

• Tips for a Healthy Headspace – For Friends and Family – Headspace

Identifying and talking about mental health problems

• Headspace:
  • An Overview on Mental Health
  • Information for Parents and Carers on Mental Health
  • How to Support a Family Member
• Beyond Blue:
  • What to Look For
  • How to Talk About Mental Health
• National Mental Health Strategy Resources – Mental Health in Multicultural Australia

Suicide prevention

• Suicide – Beyond Blue
• Worried About Someone – Suicide Call Back Service
• Conversations Matter When Someone is Thinking About Suicide – Conversations Matter

Depression and anxiety

• Headspace:
  • Understanding Anxiety for Friends and Family
  • Understanding Depression for Friends and Family
• Beyond Blue: Mental Health Conditions in Young People:
  • Depression
  • What causes anxiety and depression?
  • Anxiety

Bipolar Disorder

• Understanding Bipolar for Friends and Family – Headspace
• Bipolar Disorder – Black Dog Institute

Psychosis

• Understanding Psychosis for Families – Headspace
• Psychosis – Wellways

Eating disorders

• Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents – PatientInfo
• Eating Disorders for Friends, Families and Carers – National Eating Disorders Collaboration
• Understanding Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues – The Butterfly Foundation
• Understanding Eating Disorders for Friends and Family – Headspace
• Eating Disorders Families Australia

LGBTI

• Headspace:
  • Sexuality and Mental Health
  • Gender Identity and Mental Health
• LGBTI Young People – Youth Beyond Blue

E-mental health programs for family and friends of people with mental illness

• E-Mental Health Programs: Family and Friends of People with Mental Illness

Parent/carer support

• Mental Illness – Carer Gateway
  • Advice for carers of people with mental illness, and links to organisations that provide information, and practical and emotional support for carers
• Mental Health Carer Services – One Door Mental Health
  • Information and support, advocacy, education, respite and support groups
  • Phone: 1800‑843‑539
• Carers Forum – Sane Australia
  • Online carers forums for people affected by mental illness. Anonymous and moderated 24/7 by mental health professionals
  • Phone: 1800‑187‑263
• Mental Health Carers NSW
  • Information, support, on line forums and training for carers of people with mental illness
  • ARAFMI Central Coast, phone: (02) 4323‑7731
  • ARAFMI Hunter, phone: (02) 4961‑6717
• Headspace
• Parent Line NSW
  • Telephone counselling, information and referral service for parents of children ages 0 to 18 years.
  • Phone: 1300‑130‑052, 9.00 am to 9.00 pm, Monday to Friday, and 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm, Saturday and Sunday
• Carers Australia
  • Counselling for carers
  • Phone: 1800‑242‑636