What is Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes?
- Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes aims to support the provision of evidence-based telephone and online mental health programs to supplement or substitute for existing face-to-face services for individuals with common mental health disorders or those in psychosocial crisis. It forms part of the Commonwealth’s component of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 - 2011.
- Responsibility for Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes rests with the Mental Health and Chronic Disease Division within the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Why is this important?
Access to information, counselling and online self-help programmes plays an important role in suicide prevention, crisis advice and treatment of high prevalence mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Online and telephone based services provide an accessible and anonymous service which people can access without having to leave the privacy of their homes.
Who benefits?
Individuals across Australia who experience mile to moderate mental disorders such as anxiety and depression who may not currently receive treatment and particularly those people in rural and remotes areas who face barriers in accessing face-to-face services.
What does Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes deliver?
The Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes measure funds a range of telephone and web-based counselling services, such as online interactive tools to supplement or substitute for existing face-to-face services for individuals with common mental health disorders or those in psychosocial crisis. This funding increases availability of these services to individuals with common mental health disorders who otherwise might receive limited or no treatment.
How does it work?
Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes measure is delivered by a number of non-government organisations nationally on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. These organisations such as Lifeline and Kids Helpline provide nationally accessible telephone and web-based supports,
What funding is attached to this program?
The Australian Government is providing $60.9 million over five years to June 2011 to non government organisations to extend the provision of evidence-based telephone and online mental health programs to supplement or substitute for existing face-to-face services for individuals with common mental health disorders or those in psychosocial crisis
When did Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes start?
Implementation of the Funding for Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes measure commenced in July 2006.
How is the Telephone Counselling, Self Help and Web-based Support Programmes measure progressing?
All the projects listed below are operational and available nationally. CRUfAD is being rolled out progressively.
Further information
The Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) - for more information, please contact your GP or mental health professional. www.crufadclinic.org/
The National e-Therapy Unit www.anxietyonline.org.au
The Centre for Mental Health Research www.ehub.anu.edu.au
Kids Help Line http://www.kidshelp.com.au 1800 55 1800
Inspire Foundation Reach Out! — www.reachout.com.au and
and ActNow — www.actnow.com.au
Black Dog Institute –www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Beyondblue www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636
Lifeline Australia (13 11 14)
Mensline Australia (1300 78 99 78)
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Page currency, Latest update: 22 November, 2010