For Professionals

Mental Health Support

For yourself, friend or family member – you can talk to your doctor or contact support services below.
In an emergency, call 000

Statewide and local support services

Beyond Blue
Support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention.
1300 224 636 (24hrs)

Lifeline
Crisis support and suicide prevention.
13  11 14 (24hrs)

Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team
Urgent help for people in mental health crisis.
1300 369 012 (24hrs)

eheadspace
Free online group or individual phone support and counselling for young people (12-25 years), their friends and family.
1800 650 890

Headspace Bentleigh
Free or low cost mental health, alcohol or other drugs support for young people (12-25 years).
9076 9400

Central Bayside Community Health Service
Group or individual support and counselling for all ages.
8587 0200

Alfred Child & Youth Mental Health Service
Co-ordinated mental health service for young people (up to 25 years) and their families.
8552 0555

Local mental health and wellbeing hub
For mental health and wellbeing needs following the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast-tracked and tailored support for people of all ages. Includes wellness plans, coaching and walk-in services.
Several community sites including Cheltenham (Mon-Fri)
1300 375 330

Family Violence Support

Help and support is available if you or someone you know is impacted by family violence. If urgent, call police on 000.

Types of family violence

Family violence can affect anyone regardless of age, cultural background, education, sexuality or ability. While men and women can be perpetrators or victims of family violence, the overwhelming majority of perpetrators are men, and the victims are women and their children. 95% of all victims of violence (female or male) experience violence from a male perpetrator.

Family violence can occur in many different types of relationships including between intimate partners (‘domestic violence’), from a parent to a child, from a child to a parent, between siblings, grandparents, extended families, kinship networks or carer relationships.

Family violence is any coercive or abusive behaviour perpetrated against a family member to exercise power and control, cause harm or distress.

It can include physical, verbal, psychological, emotional, financial, sexual, spiritual, technological and elder abuse and neglect, social abuse (such as isolation) and stalking. It includes any threatening, controlling or dominating behaviour or act that makes another person feel fearful.

Family violence can include:

-Any physical violence, such as slapping or punching
-Forcing sexual relations
-Making threats or calling you or other family members names
-Constantly following, calling, texting and making them feel distressed
-Controlling contact with other people
-Denying access to money
-Preventing them worshipping in their desired faith
-Dowry abuse
-Threatening or hurting pets
-Visa abuse
-When children hear, witness or see the effects of violence on another family member

Gender inequality

Gender inequality is the leading driver of family violence. Other contributing or ‘reinforcing’ factors that can impact the frequency and severity of family violence include alcohol or other substance consumption, problem gambling, financial stress, emergencies and other life stressors such as having a baby.

Respectful relationships

What is gender equality?  

Gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women, men, trans and gender-diverse people. Equality does not mean that all people will become the same but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on their gender.

Gender inequality is a key cause of family violence.

Preventing family violence requires working together to promote gender equality by:

-Challenging condoning violence against women
-Promoting women’s independence and decision-making
-Challenging gender stereotypes and roles
-Strengthening positive, equal and respectful relationships

Respectful relationships resources

What’s Ok at Home?
Online resource for young people and adults on understanding what family violence is, what drives it and how to help those who are experiencing it.

Love – The good, the bad and the ugly
Relationship advice and stories for young people and teachers.

Sunshine – ‘Don’t confuse love and abuse’
Video resource and online information on types of abuse that can occur in relationships.

Deadly Duos: Healthy Relationships
Animated video by Djirra for Aboriginal young people about healthy relationships and drawing on the strength of your support network to help when someone is treating you poorly. This video tells Kiah’s story.

Support Services

Statewide support and referral to crisis accommodation

safesteps – Family Violence Response Centre
Crisis support and referral to safe accommodation.
1800 015 188 (24hrs)

1800RESPECT
National helpline providing confidential information, counselling and support services.
1800 737 732 (24hrs)

The Orange Door – Bayside Peninsula
1800 319 353

Kid Helpline
Phone, web and email support ‘anytime, any reason’ for children, young adults (18-25), parents and schools/teachers.
1800 55 1800 (24hrs)

Salvation Army St Kilda Crisis Contact Centre
Telephone helpline, crisis support, information and referrals.
1800 627 777 (Crisis Contact Centre)
1800 825 955 (24hr Homeless Support)

Specialist statewide services

No to Violence Men’s Referral Service
Telephone counselling and support information for men.
1300 766 491

Djirra
Aboriginal family violence prevention and legal service.
1800 105 303

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
1800 064 865

InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Crisis, legal and immigration support in your language.
1800 755 988

Centre for Multicultural Youth Dandenong (South East Region)
Advocacy for the needs of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
8594 1550

Rainbow Door
Specialist helpline for LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends & family.
1800 729 367

WithRespect: LGBTIQ family violence services
1800 LGBTIQ (1800 542 847)

Whitelion Youth Agency
Youth assistance including homelessness and community integration for young people in Out of Home Care, and mentoring.
0417 462 173 (Southern metropolitan region)

Blue Knot Foundation
Short-term counselling and support for those impacted by childhood trauma.
1300 657 380

Alannah & Madeline Foundation
Keeping children safe from violence and bulling, including the ‘Children Ahead’ program  for young people up to 18 years to assist with recovery from significant trauma or violence.
9697 0666

Local support service

Kingston Youth Services
Information, programs, events, counselling and support for young people (12 to 25 years) and their families in Kingston.
1300 369 436

South East Centre against Sexual Assault (SECASA)
Counselling, information, referral and advocacy support for victims of/or survivors of sexual assault.
1800 806 292

Peninsula Community Legal Centre
1800 064 784

Family Life
Family services provider including counselling, family violence and mental health support, and men’s behaviour change programs.
8599 5433

Better Place Australia
Counselling, mediation, Better Pride and other relationship and family services.
1800 639 523

Phone Apps
For more information on keeping safe, visit Ask Someone or see the following phone apps.

Ask Izzy
For local family violence and mental health support, housing, food, financial assistance, counselling and more.

Daisy
Local support service information for people experiencing violence or abuse.

Sunny
For women with disability who have experienced violence or abuse.