Below are a list of great resources to help you get the most out of being a junior doctor and to provide help when you need it most
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Available 24/7 on 1300 687 327
Support provided by an external agency, Converge international
A free, independent, confidential, short-term counselling service for both personal and work-related concerns.
Employees can speak to an on-call counsellor over the phone or arrange an appointment within business hours, this is also available to family members
Victorian Doctor's Health Program
Available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 9280 8712 (voicemail provides afterhours contact details)
A free, confidential service for all doctors and medical students who have health concerns such as stress, mental health or substance use problems.
More info at https://vdhp.org.au/
Staff Support and Wellbeing Line
Available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 9342 5497.
A confidential staff support phone line designed to facilitate access to Melbourne Health resources, external services or brief intervention.
Initial consultation to identify needs with the opportunity to arrange a brief intervention session with a skilled Melbourne Health Clinicians.
Black Dog Institute
Access up to 5 free sessions with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist
Professional support can help with things like burnout, anxiety, difficulty coping, stress, depression
More info here
Peer Support Program/Family Violence Officers
Available 24/7 on 9342 7000 (ask Switchboard for the on-call officer).
A confidential, non-crisis service provided by Melbourne Health employees who are volunteers and understand the work environment.
Peer supporters have also been professionally trained in the provision of psychological first aid, support and education in stress management and coping strategies along with referral to external, longer-term support services.
North Western Mental Health Triage
Available 24/7 on 1300 874 243.
A telephone-based assessment service for people living in the North Western areas of Melbourne, staffed by senior mental health clinicians.
When calling Triage, you will be asked a range of questions to ensure the most appropriate response is given. If further assessment is required, triage may make a referral to the specialist mental health service or other service as appropriate.
Lifeline
Always available 24/7 on 13 11 14.
A crisis support and suicide prevention service.
Confidential, one-on-one support with a trained Lifeline telephone crisis supporter.
Website for more info: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue
Available 24/7 on 1300 224 636
A confidential, one-on-one phone call with a trained mental health clinician.
The clinician will listen, provide information and advice as well as refer on to other services if additional support is required.
Website for more info: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Beyond Blue: Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
Available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.
A confidential, one-on-one phone call with a trained counsellor.
Access to COVID-19 specific advice and support based on your specific needs
Website for more info: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Head to Help
Available Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm on 1800 595 212.
Offers a free phone service as well as a number of “hubs” where free, face-to- face or telehealth consultations can be accessed.
For all Victorians of any age experiencing emotional distress, mental ill-health and/or addiction.
Support workers will assist in developing a support package to meet individual needs.
Website for more info: https://headtohelp.org.au/
Grief Line
Available 7 days 6am-2am on 1300 845 745 or 9935 7400.
An anonymous and confidential phone support line for people experiencing grief, loss or trauma.
Run by trained volunteers.
Website for more info: https://griefline.org.au/
1800 RESPECT
Available 24/7 on 1800 737 732
A confidential counselling service for people impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic abuse.
Trained counsellors will help you identify what you can do and to find the right services or support for you.
Website for more info: https://www.1800respect.org.au/help-and-support/telephone-and-online-counselling
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL)
After hours support, available weeknights 5pm-9am as well as weekends and public holidays on 1800 806 292
A state-wide, afterhours, confidential crisis counselling service for people who have experience both past and recent sexual assault.
Website for more info: https://www.sacl.com.au/
For more information or to reach out, don't hesitate to email wellbeing@rmhsociety.org.au
Available 24/7 on 1300 687 327
Support provided by an external agency, Converge international
A free, independent, confidential, short-term counselling service for both personal and work-related concerns.
Employees can speak to an on-call counsellor over the phone or arrange an appointment within business hours, this is also available to family members
Victorian Doctor's Health Program
Available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 9280 8712 (voicemail provides afterhours contact details)
A free, confidential service for all doctors and medical students who have health concerns such as stress, mental health or substance use problems.
More info at https://vdhp.org.au/
Staff Support and Wellbeing Line
Available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 9342 5497.
A confidential staff support phone line designed to facilitate access to Melbourne Health resources, external services or brief intervention.
Initial consultation to identify needs with the opportunity to arrange a brief intervention session with a skilled Melbourne Health Clinicians.
Black Dog Institute
Access up to 5 free sessions with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist
Professional support can help with things like burnout, anxiety, difficulty coping, stress, depression
More info here
Peer Support Program/Family Violence Officers
Available 24/7 on 9342 7000 (ask Switchboard for the on-call officer).
A confidential, non-crisis service provided by Melbourne Health employees who are volunteers and understand the work environment.
Peer supporters have also been professionally trained in the provision of psychological first aid, support and education in stress management and coping strategies along with referral to external, longer-term support services.
North Western Mental Health Triage
Available 24/7 on 1300 874 243.
A telephone-based assessment service for people living in the North Western areas of Melbourne, staffed by senior mental health clinicians.
When calling Triage, you will be asked a range of questions to ensure the most appropriate response is given. If further assessment is required, triage may make a referral to the specialist mental health service or other service as appropriate.
Lifeline
Always available 24/7 on 13 11 14.
A crisis support and suicide prevention service.
Confidential, one-on-one support with a trained Lifeline telephone crisis supporter.
Website for more info: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue
Available 24/7 on 1300 224 636
A confidential, one-on-one phone call with a trained mental health clinician.
The clinician will listen, provide information and advice as well as refer on to other services if additional support is required.
Website for more info: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Beyond Blue: Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
Available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.
A confidential, one-on-one phone call with a trained counsellor.
Access to COVID-19 specific advice and support based on your specific needs
Website for more info: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Head to Help
Available Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm on 1800 595 212.
Offers a free phone service as well as a number of “hubs” where free, face-to- face or telehealth consultations can be accessed.
For all Victorians of any age experiencing emotional distress, mental ill-health and/or addiction.
Support workers will assist in developing a support package to meet individual needs.
Website for more info: https://headtohelp.org.au/
Grief Line
Available 7 days 6am-2am on 1300 845 745 or 9935 7400.
An anonymous and confidential phone support line for people experiencing grief, loss or trauma.
Run by trained volunteers.
Website for more info: https://griefline.org.au/
1800 RESPECT
Available 24/7 on 1800 737 732
A confidential counselling service for people impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic abuse.
Trained counsellors will help you identify what you can do and to find the right services or support for you.
Website for more info: https://www.1800respect.org.au/help-and-support/telephone-and-online-counselling
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL)
After hours support, available weeknights 5pm-9am as well as weekends and public holidays on 1800 806 292
A state-wide, afterhours, confidential crisis counselling service for people who have experience both past and recent sexual assault.
Website for more info: https://www.sacl.com.au/
For more information or to reach out, don't hesitate to email wellbeing@rmhsociety.org.au
