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Crisis, care and treatment options

There is a range of treatment options available for people needing help in crisis or general mental health care, depending on the situation.

What to expect when calling Triage

Our Triage service is usually the first point of contact for people seeking support through a clinical mental health service.

Experiencing eating disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses often characterised by a preoccupation with eating and exercise, and distorted thoughts and emotions about body image.

Problems with drugs and alcohol

People can have problems related to their use of alcohol or drugs. If you or someone you know is affected by alcohol or drugs, support is available.

Problems with grief and loss

Grief and loss are part of life. It's important to realise that grieving is a normal process and that you may need some help while going through this period.

Problems with memory and confusion

Memory loss is a part of ageing. But when people experience more memory loss than would be expected when getting older, everyday activities can become confusing.

Problems with thinking

At times we may have problems with our thinking. Our thoughts can feel jumbled, too fast or too slow. Or we might find ourselves thinking about unusual things.

Feeling suicidal

Sometimes, life's problems can feel so painful and difficult to manage that some people might start having suicidal thoughts.

Experiencing self-harm

Sometimes people deal with emotional distress and pain by hurting themselves physically.

Feeling depressed

If you're feeling more down, sad or miserable than you have in the past, and those feelings start to get in the way of your life, it might be time to get help.

Feeling worried or anxious

Feeling worried or anxious can be normal, especially in response to stressful or difficult situations. But feeling too anxious can get in the way of your life.

Medication fact sheets

We partnered with Choice and Medication to create fact sheets to help consumers, their family and carers understand their medicines and make informed decisions.

Staying well and preventing relapse

We have relapse-prevention strategies, wellness and recovery plans, advance care planning, self-care and early warning signs to help you stay well.

What to expect for ongoing treatment

A combination of treatments often works best in cases where ongoing care is needed.

What to expect at your first appointment

Depending on your situation, your first appointment with us may be planned or unplanned, or even urgent.

Contact a public clinical mental health service

Public mental health services in Victoria provide acute, subacute, specialist, residential, community inpatient and support services.

Contact a specialised support service

There is a range of specialised support services available in Victoria to help people with mental health problems.

Contact your local mental health community support service

Mental Health Community Support Services support people with severe mental illness and psychiatric disability throughout the recovery process.

See a private psychiatrist or psychologist

Psychiatrists and psychologists are mental health professionals who specialise in treating mental illness and difficulties with emotions, behaviour or lifestyle.

See a general counsellor

Counsellors are professionals who can work with you to talk through your problems and look for possible solutions.