COVID-19 Mental Health Support

Help and support is just a phone call or website away

COVID-19 has thrown up lots of challenges for us all. It is not uncommon to feel anxious, frustrated or angry at this time. The important thing is to get help if you feel your thoughts are impacting your day to day life. Help and support is out there. This can take the form of websites, online support groups or confidential telehealth and face to face counselling. 

When and where to get help

Jan Venter, Clinical Lead and Clinical Psychologist, Psychology and Wellness. Duration:2:09.

There are lots of different types of help and support services available to help you if you are feeling stressed or anxious at this time.  Take the next step and give them a call or check out the great online support services, resources and apps available out there to help and support you. 

24/7  Self Help support services and mental health information:

Beyond Blue : Information on how to look after your mental health during this time

The Black Dog institute:  Coronavirus webinars, online clinic, resources and apps that can help at this time

Headspace:Help and support for people up to the age of 25 during this time. Online chat and telephone support

COVID-19 resources for culturally diverse communities.  This page has mental health information in multiple languages

Tips and more information

Jan Venter, Clinical Lead and Clinical Psychologist, Psychology and Wellness, Tips on how to look after your mental health during COVID-19. Duration 1:47

Tips for dealing with COVID-19:

Try to separate things that are in your control from things from things that are not in your control.

Try some breathing and mindfulness techniques or find something to distract you to help you relax. Check out some meditations here by Laura Kampel.

Seek reliable information from the Media and government sources

Set limits to news on virus (once or twice a day)

Staying up to date about uni life

UNSW's Health and Wellbeing in the online space and the Department of Health both have information on how to look after your mental health during this time.

More information

WHO: Healthy at home or check out our anxiety management resources and workshops on the self help page

Australian Psychological Association has tips on how to look after your wellbeing at this time

 

For more information on how to manage anxiety watch: 

 Jan Venter, Clinical Lead and Clinical Psychologist, Psychology and Wellness, Managing Anxiety, Duration 3:02 

Useful self help apps

My compass now: A personalised self help tool for your mental health. Produced by the Black Dog Institute

Smiling mind: Free Mindfulness app, short mindfulness exercises for adults and kids

Support for students and staff

UNSW provides regular updates, advice and FAQs for staff and students. 

If you are a student who needs help or support you should contact: The Nucleus and Student Support advisors.

UNSW offers confidential counselling for staff through Benestar, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).