Posted 10 Dec 2009 - 10:39 by root
A 24/7 service that provides mental health advice from a registered mental health professional.
The Mental Health Advice Line is a statewide Victorian phone service that provides immediate, expert mental health advice from a registered mental health professional, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
By calling one statewide number - 1300 280 737 - Victorians of all ages and backgrounds will now have speedy access to clear expert advice, referral and information about the full spectrum of mental health issues. Calls from anywhere in Victoria are charged at the cost of a local call (mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate).
The service commenced in the Barwon-South Western and Grampians regions on Monday 30 November and will be rolled out across the state over the next two weeks. The roll-out will culminate with the Minister for Mental Health launching the service statewide on 10 December 2009.
The Mental Health Advice Line is one of the initiatives under the Because Mental Health Matters: Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy 2009-2010. It was established in response to the low level of literacy about mental health problems in the community - people do not always know who to turn to for help.
This new service is designed to complement the existing service system and will be delivered by McKesson Asia-Pacific, which also delivers the NURSE-ON-CALL service.
For more information see the Mental Health Advice Line website www.health.vic.gov.au/mhal
To view previous news issues visit http://www.comorbidity.org.au/taxonomy/term/22