Supporting someone with mental health challenges can be overwhelming. By working together with the treating team and the person you support, you can play a valuable role in their recovery.
If you are in an emergency situation where you are worried about your safety or someone else's, call 000 for an immediate response.
If you need to talk, contact Lifeline, SuicideLine or Beyond Blue.
Contact our Mental Health Triage on 1300 874 243 for 24-hour mental health crisis assessment advice and support.
We value and recognise your needs
Whether you are new to our services or have been here before, we can help:
- Share trusted information to help understand mental illness
- Talk about what to expect during and after admission
- Provide clarity to assist with your caring role
- Support you as the carer
Who is a carer?
A carer is a person who provides practical, emotional, unpaid care and support to a person with mental illness.
You might be a family member, friend or colleague. You do not have to live with the person to be their carer. A carer can be any age, including under 18 years.
They may be known as Family, Carer, Supporter or Kin.
We can support your individual needs
Carer Peer Support
If you are a carer, you may be able to find connection, education and information through our Carer Peer Support service.
This service is provided by staff who have lived or living experience of caring for someone with significant mental health challenges.
The treating team
People experiencing mental health issues achieve better outcomes when family members, carers and other support people are also involved.
You can ask the treating team to organise a family meeting, find out about financial help (such as the Carer Support Fund) or to discuss any concerns you may have.
Other supports
Everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe when receiving care and communicating with us.
Our services are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, multicultural Victorians and people with disability.
We will also respond to any concerns about family violence and the safety and wellbeing of children.
The following supports are available for you as a carer, as well as the person you support:
- The First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) team can provide welcome and orientation to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing the mental health service
- Our Interpreters and cultural support team can provide interpreting and translation services in more than 160 languages - including Auslan (Australian Sign Language) - to carers, family, friends and partners either in person or over the phone
Connect with the treating team to learn more about these services.
External support for families and carers
Visit Contact a specialised support service for our list of online and telephone support options.