A program for family, friends and carers in ACT
Supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress or following a suicide attempt
Further resources and information
Discover more about the Minds Together program to support family, friends and carers in the ACT.
Minds Together program
A free online program tailored for family, friends and carers supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress or following a suicide attempt. Learn practical skills and strategies to support yourself and your family member or friend.
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Connect with others
Access a public social forum where you can connect and share with others in support roles.
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About the ACT project
The ACT Health Directorate has engaged Everymind to implement the Minds Together program for family, friends and carers supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress or following a suicide attempt by embedding the program in ACT aftercare and other services and initiatives.
View MoreFamily, friends and carers supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress or following a suicide attempt
Learn practical skills and strategies, such as how to:
- Talk about suicide
- Respond to stigma
- Take care of your wellbeing
- Recognise your own needs.
You’ll also hear family, friends and carers share their experiences of providing support, have access to an online social forum, and get tips from suicide prevention experts.
Start the program
24/7 crisis support and helplines
Lifeline
13 11 14
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. To find local services in your area, use Lifeline’s Service Finder.
www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
24/7 crisis support for people at risk of suicide, carers and bereaved.
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Access Mental Health: 1800 629 354
1800 629 354
The Access Mental Health team is available 24 hours, 7 days per week, for people who have concerns about their own or someone else’s mental health. Access Mental Health provides information, makes recommendations, and refers people for further mental health support.
www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/access-mental-health
13YARN
13 92 76
24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
www.13yarn.org.au
QLife
1800 184 527
Telephone and online chat support service for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex (LGBTI) communities, 3:00pm – midnight every day.
qlife.org.au
ACT and national carer support information and services
Carers ACT
Carers ACT is the voice for carers in the ACT and can provide emotional and practical support to all unpaid carers.
Carers ACT connects carers, provide advice and guidance, give carers a break when they need it and offers services to help share the care.
www.carersact.org.au
Carer Gateway
1800 422 737
Emotional, practical and financial support for carers, including emergency respite and phone counselling 8am- 5pm, Monday to Friday.
www.carergateway.gov.au
Meridian
Meridian is a community-controlled, peer-led organisation that provides health and social support services to Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ community.
www.meridianact.org.au
- Canberra Health services
Canberra Health Services delivers a range of health services to people across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the surrounding Southern New South Wales region.
- Woden Community Service
Woden Community Service offers a range of services for all ages, including early learning, aged care, mental health support, homelessness assistance, disability aid, family support, youth engagement, and community support for vulnerable individuals. - Stride – Safe Haven Belconnen
Safe Haven Belconnen is a warm, welcoming, non-clinical, safe space that people can freely go to if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health concerns, isolation or loneliness and are seeking connection and support.
- Canberra Medicare Mental Health Centre (previously Head to Health)
Medicare Mental Health is a multi-purpose support service for Canberrans living with the impact of mental health that connects those who live, work and play in the ACT with the right mental health support.
- Thirrili
Thirrili provides crucial and timely support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and responds to the collective trauma of suicide with coordinated services to provide holistic care.
- Young Carers Network
The Young Carers Network is a nationally coordinated resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
- headspace Canberra
headspace Canberra is a free mental health service for young people aged 12-25. - headspace Tuggeranong
headspace Tuggeranong is a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 12 to 25, along with their families, friends, and carers. - headspace Queanbeyan
headspace Queanbeyan is a youth-friendly, free mental health service for anyone aged between 12 and 25 who is having a tough time or would just like to improve their health and wellbeing.
Connect with others
Connecting with others who share similar experiences can be important in supporting your family member or friend. Throughout the program, you will have access to a public social forum moderated by SANE. This is a shared platform where you can observe, connect, and engage with others who provide care and support.
Join to social forum
About the ACT project
Supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress or following a suicide attempt can be challenging. It can impact your energy, time, sleep, finances, and overall wellbeing. The Minds Together program has been developed to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of family, friends and carers by recognising the critical role they play in reducing suicidal distress and improving outcomes for the people they support.
The ACT Health Directorate has engaged Everymind to embed the Minds Together program for family, friends and carers who are supporting someone experiencing suicidal distress or following a suicide attempt into ACT aftercare and other services and initiatives. Through the Minds Together program, we aim to provide a tailored, self-paced, evidence-based online support program for family, friends and carers in the ACT. This program is designed to enhance the mental health, wellbeing, and coping skills of family, friends and carers.
