COVID-19 and mental health
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Maintaining your wellbeing
How do I look after my mental health during COVID-19?
The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and may continue to impact our mental health and wellbeing.
Feelings of anxiety, distress and concern are normal. However, there are several steps you can take to look after your mental health.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Form a daily routine and plan activities that you enjoy, such as watching movies and engaging in your interests and hobbies.
- Stay active — set up an exercise routine to keep you physically fit and decrease stress.
- Eat well — a healthy diet will benefit your mind as well as your body.
- Stay connected with your family and friends — if you cannot meet in person, you can remain in contact using phone, chat, email or video calls.
Stay informed
- Get information from reliable, trusted sources to learn the precautions you need to take to stay healthy. You can find information on the COVID-19 support page of the Australian Government’s Head to Health initiative.
Stay positive
- Look forward — while the pandemic is difficult, it will pass.
- Be mindful about the way you 'talk' to yourself. Change negative self-talk to be more constructive and helpful. You can challenge your negative thoughts by asking yourself what you would say to a friend in the same situation.
- Turn off the ‘noise’ — when people talk about their worries, it can create more stress. Turn off the ‘noise’ by taking time out from the news and social media and by keeping your distance from people who create stress.
Access support services
- You'll be able to access a range of mental health support services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
This infographic could point to a mental health issue in someone you love.
How can my GP help support my mental health?
Your GP isn’t just a good place to start if you need mental health advice and information; they can also help you access free or low-cost support.
Mental health treatment plans
Your GP can help prepare a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan that allows you to use the Better Access initiative. The Better Access initiative gives Medicare rebates to eligible people, so they can access the mental health services they need.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan provides you with access to 10 sessions a year with a specialised GP, other eligible medical practitioner, psychologist, social worker or occupational therapist. If you are eligible for Medicare and get a referral from your GP, you can access these sessions in person, over the phone or via telehealth. Until 31 December 2022, an additional 10 sessions will be available.
GP Mental Health Treatment Plans are also available to residents in aged-care facilities. Residents can talk to their GP to see if preparing a plan is appropriate.
If you need help to find a GP, including GPs who don’t charge their patients (known as bulk billing), visit healthdirect's service finder:
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
You can also access the free online and telephone support services listed below.
How do I look after my mental wellbeing when when I have to stay at home because I have COVID-19?
Some ways to take care of your mental health while you’re staying at home include:
- keeping in touch with your family and friends via phone, video calls or social media
- forming and keeping a daily routine such as showering and getting dressed each day, maintaining regular mealtimes and exercising at home
- learning more about COVID-19 from credible sources, since this might help alleviate any anxiety
- doing or trying new activities such as drawing or learning a language online
- being outdoors such as in your backyard, a private courtyard or balcony, as it helps to get fresh air
Support services
How can I access mental health support?
There are several mental health support services available in Australia. You can access them in person, online, over the phone or via telehealth services.
Dedicated online and telephone support services have been established during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure all Australians have access to mental health and wellbeing support.
Often the best place to start is by talking to your GP about what mental health services are available to you.
For more mental health information and support, Headtohealth.gov.au can help. This national website brings together trusted information and resources, phone lines, apps, online programs and forums. Services listed are government-funded, so they are low cost or free to use.
You can also call Head to Health on 1800 595 212 to be connected to the mental health service in your local area that best meets your individual needs. When you call Head to Health, you’ll speak to a mental health professional. They will take the time to understand what's going on in your life and work with you to meet your needs.
What online and telephone mental health support services are available?
Beyond Blue has launched the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service — a dedicated service for people who need counselling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 1800 512 348 to speak with a trained mental health professional (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Lifeline provides support to people experiencing emotional distress. You can speak with a trained crisis supporter:
- over the phone on 13 11 14, available 24 hours 7 days a week
- through online chat, every night from 7pm to midnight AET
- via text on 0477 13 11 14, between 6pm and midnight AET, 7 days a week
Kids Helpline offers counselling to children and young adults (aged 5 to 25). Call 1800 55 1800 or go to kidshelpline.com.au.
Young people can get support through headspace centres — whether in person at a centre, online or over the phone. There are more than 100 headspace centres across Australia.
The Raising Healthy Minds app, developed by the Raising Children Network, has information, ideas and guidance for parents to help them provide support for their child’s mental health and wellbeing. Free from Google Play and the App Store.
The Black Dog Institute has created a dedicated mental health and wellbeing program for frontline health workers called 'TEN — The Essential Network for Health Professionals'. The program includes an app.
The Australian Government has a developed a fact sheet that contains information on how Australian’s whose mental health is impacted by COVID-19 can now access additional professional treatment and support.
Each state and territory also offers a mental health service to help you access local support.
- ACT — Canberra Health Services Access Mental Health on 1800 629 354 or 02 6205 1065 (available 24/7)
- NSW — Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 (available 24/7)
- NT — Northern Territory Mental Health Line on 1800 682 288 (available 24/7)
- Queensland — 1300 MH CALL: Mental health access line on 1300 642 255 (available 24/7)
- SA — Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 512 348 (available 24/7)
- Tasmania — Mental Health Service Helpline on 1800 332 388 (available 9am to 10pm)
- Victoria — Head to Help on 1800 595 212 (available 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
- WA — Mental Health Emergency Response Line on 1300 555 733 (metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel) (available 24/7)
If English is not your first language you can call TIS National on 131 450 or visit tisnational.gov.au to speak with an interpreter. TIS National covers more than 100 languages and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the cost of a local call.
Resources
Where can I get more information and advice on mental health?
You can speak to your GP about what mental health services are available to you.
Lifeline has put together a resource to help people cope through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phoenix Australia (the Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health) has prepared tip sheets to support people during COVID-19.
The Black Dog Institute has developed a resource for parents to reassure their children through uncertain times.
Mindspot has developed 10 psychological tips for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. They have also developed an online Wellbeing Plus course for Australians over the age of 60 to help them recognise and manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Reachout.com has also developed resources to help people manage any stress and anxiety they might feel.
This Way Up provides access to free online tools and courses to help with practical ways to protect and improve mental health. They have also developed a free, email-based program specifically designed to support you throughout quarantine and self-isolation.
Information in other languages
If you prefer a language other than English, the Australian Government has developed several translated factsheets on how to take care of your mental wellbeing during COVID-19.
Beyond Blue also has one-page fact sheets translated into more than 60 different languages.
Looking for more information?
Visit healthdirect's information hubs on mental health and wellbeing and COVID-19.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: February 2023
