VMIAC’s offices will be closed over the holiday period, from 1.00pm on Friday, 23 December to 9:00am on Tuesday, 3 January. Our services, such as our Advocacy, NDIS, and CHECK-IN, will not be available during this time.
Team VMIAC will be taking a much needed break to spend some time with their families and loved ones. But, we also want to ensure that you, our community, are still able to access needed support over the holidays.
We have compiled this list of services providing meals, social connections, or general support over the following weeks.
Do note that a lot of these services may be operating at reduced capacity over the holiday period, or may only be open on non-public holidays. There may also be delays in service, including those at VMIAC, in the early weeks of January as some staff take well earned additional leave.
As people with lived experience of emotional distress/mental health challenges, Team VMIAC wanted to share with you some of the ways we get through this time of year. Here’s a handy resource our CHECK-IN team have created:
How we get through this time.
Family Violence Support
The Orange Door
Orange Door family violence support services are running every day but the public holidays.
Find out more here: https://orangedoor.vic.gov.au/news
Berry Street Family Violence Services
Central Highlands and Northern Suburbs.
Find out more information here: https://www.berrystreet.org.au/our-work/building-stronger-families/family-violence
1800Respect
Family Violence Support Line
Call 1800 737 732, or head to their website here for more information: https://www.1800respect.org.au/
General Mental Health Support Services
Lifeline
Crisis Support Line
Call 13 11 14, or head to their website for more information: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue
Crisis Support Line
Call 1300 22 4636, or head to their website for more information: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
QLife
LGBTQIA+ Support Line
Call 1800 184 527, or head to their website for more information: https://qlife.org.au/
Imha | Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Call 1300 947 820, or head to their website for more information: https://www.imha.vic.gov.au/
13 YARN
Call 13 92 76 to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter or visit: https://www.13yarn.org.au/.
Suicide Line Victoria |1300 651 251
This is a 24/7 telehealth service that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Victoria.
Suicide Call Back Service | Call 1300 659 467
24/7 free professional telephone counselling to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues
Sane Australia | Mental Health Support Line
Call 1800 187 263, or head to their website for more information: https://www.sane.org/
The SANE Forums will remain available 24/7 over the holiday period; https://saneforums.org/
MensLine | Mental Health Support Line for Men
Call 1300 78 99 78, or head to their website for more information: https://mensline.org.au/
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery meetings offer a supportive environment to achieve behaviour change goals of your choice around alcohol & other drug use, or any behaviours of concern. Visit: https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au/
FriendLine
FriendLine is for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat.
Call 03 9663 2740 or Free call 1800 424 287. The support line is open: 10am – 8pm, 7 days a week
Social Services/Events
Holiday HArts
A casual welcoming space for all people to come together and make art during the holiday period. Running from 24 December. Click here to register and find out more via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/holiday-harts-an-open-peer-centred-art-space-tickets-221990969967?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Queerspace | Free Christmas Breakfast
Click here to register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/queerspace-breakfast-on-christmas-morning-tickets-219658824457?fbclid=IwAR3ykUMSkJe8RrCiT3cLO8yPoZFERP-ssDWtjfjTdnb_dXxeeN7XdYoc7dc
Sacred Heart Mission
Several events and meal services over the holiday period, follow on Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/sacredheartmission
Salvation Army
Several events and meal services over the holiday period, follow their website for updates https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/christmas/
Disability Royal Commission
Please also note, the closing date for submissions to the Disability Royal Commission:
- Electronic and hard copy submissions close on 31 December 2022, and
- Phone submissions close on 23 December 2022.
The VMIAC DRC team will be unavailable to help with queries during the break, but the following services can assist:
Blue Knot National Counselling and Referral Service
Available to support you over this holiday period and after with ongoing emotional support. Call on 1800 421 468 or visit: https://blueknot.org.au/national-counselling-referral-service-disability/
Your Story Disability Legal Support
Available to assist you with free legal advice and submission support over the holiday period. Call on 1800 77 1800 or visit https://www.yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au/Get-legal-support