In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice follows a white rabbit with a gold pocket watch and ends up falling down the rabbit hole – she lands in a wholly new and confusing world.

If you’ve ever searched online for information about mental health, you might have felt a bit like Alice – disoriented and not really sure which option to choose.

We have access to so much information, and it can be overwhelming. Finding something that is helpful can feel impossible.

An Australian site to help you navigate services and information

I thought it might be useful to introduce you to the national digital mental health website from the Australian Government. As part of the University of Melbourne’s mental health research team, I’ve been involved in writing some of the materials for the Medicare Mental Health website. And I think it offers a helpful place to start looking for online resources.

https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au

The website has three main pages:

• Living well; tips for looking after yourself, and information to support you based on how you are feeling,
• Finding help; information about how you can access mental health services in Australia, and
• Giving support; tips and guidance for supporting someone else with their mental health, and looking after yourself as a carer

…including a quiz to help find the right information for you

You can also answer the quiz on the website. The quiz results include tailored recommendations for you based on your answers, including things to read, watch and listen to, and a list of organisations that can help you. It’s a bit like an online search engine that selects Australian resources based on your answers and what you need help with.

Here’s the direct link to the quiz: https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/quiz

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Talking to your GP

Online and digital options are a good starting point to learn more about mental health and wellbeing. It’s also important to remember that if you feel like you need some support for your mental health, you can talk to your GP. Your GP will be able to guide you with information about what might be helpful for you

Urgent Mental Health Support

At any time, if you need immediate help for a mental health issue, you can call:

Lifeline 13 1 1 14

In Ballarat, you can phone the Grampians Area Mental Health Service Access and Triage Team on 1300 247 647 (24 hours).

IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 000.

At any time, if you need immediate help for domestic, family and sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). You can also send a text to 0458 737 732.

Written By Clinical Psychologist Dr Kylie McKenzie