AHANA sees peers support as core to its functions as the peak body for Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) and has compiled a list of some of the mental health, housing, and financial services available for members who require support.
Each of the State and Territory governments provide a range of financial, housing, and mental support services, with tailored support and information available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with English as a second language and the elderly, and on topics such as living with disability and parenting. The below list of resources is by no means exhaustive, and you can find further support online using your State or Territory and relevant search terms such as:
AskIzzy is a website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more. It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia and some mobile networks allow you to access AskIzzy from your phone even if you don't have credit or access to wifi.
The Disability Gateway has information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia.
Healthdirect is a Commonwealth government initiative with free health advice and information, and which links to the contact information of all nature of health and related services nationally. It also contains specific content for those experiencing, or working with people experiencing, workplace mental health issues.
The Commonwealth provides a National Debt Helpline site to support people in financial distress. Resources are also available from the NDH's website.
Services Australia is a Commonwealth government entity intended to make accessing government services simpler. The Services Australia website contains information on a range of topics such raising children, living arrangements, ageing, employment, education, and health and disability. Information about accessing disaster relief is also available.
The ACT Health and Canberra Health Services websites are useful resources for those in the ACT, for health and wellbeing-related content.
The ACT Community Services site links to ACT government and not-for-profit services and support available for ACT residents. These include financial counselling services, housing, domestic and family violence and disability resources.
Allied Health Assistants working in the public sector in the ACT can also access the Employee Assistance Program and Critical Incident Support Services, for confidential counselling and other support. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.
NSW Health has consolidated links to mental health resources and services on its website, with information grouped by topic and demographic.
Allied Health Assistants working for NSW Health, and their immediate families, can utilise the Employee Assistance Program (a counselling, coaching and wellbeing service). AHAs in other areas of the public sector should check with their employer for details. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.
Service NSW is the state's one-stop-shop for locating NSW-government services and support.
The Northern Territory government has a single landing site from which you can access all manner of government services (e.g. community care and support, health, education), as well as find information about non-government services.
The NT public sector has an Employee Assistance Program for its employees, offering confidential counselling. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.
The Queensland government maintains a site from which you can browse for information, services and support on a full range of topics, including health and wellbeing, employment and community support.
Queensland Health employees in Queensland are able to access counselling through Employee Assistance Programs. AHAs in other areas of the public sector should check with their employer for program details. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.
The South Australian government provides mental health services, and emergency financial support for eligible residents.
An Employee Assistance Program is available to SA Health employees, to discuss work or personal issues affecting their wellbeing, work performance, health or safety. AHAs in other areas of the public sector should check with their employer for program details. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.
Information about health topics and the services available in Tasmania is provided on the Department of Health website.
Department of Health employees and immediate dependent family are eligible for confidential counselling through the Department's Employee Assistance Program. AHAs in other areas of the public sector should check with their employer for program details. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.
The Service Tasmania website links to government resources on housing, communities and financial assistance.
Victoria's BetterHealth Channel is a government-run site focussed on health and wellbeing content.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website links to content on topics such as disability, housing and emergency assistance.
Public sector employees and immediate family members who are over 18 can access the Employee Assistance Program, for counselling and assistance identifying resources and referrals for long-term issues. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.
The Western Australian Department of Health website, HealthyWA, includes information on a range of topics relevant to health and wellbeing. These include healthy living, safety and first-aid and, of course, health conditions.
The Western Australian Mental Health Commission is working to establish mental health, alcohol and other drug systems that meet the needs of Western Australia’s population, and contains contact details and information relevant to these topics.
Public sector employees can access Employee Assistance Programs and should contact their employer for details. Many large non-government employers offer similar programs to their employees.