Mental health in lockdown - special edition of the COVID-19 Community Service Providers e-newsletter
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Welcome to the 5th edition of the COVID-19 Community Support newsletter. Below the latest health and restriction information, you will find information about current grants and resources to support community recovery.
A feature of this edition is a section on ‘Mental health support during lockdown’ which provides mental health resources and services for the Moreland community. All information for this edition #5 is current as of 22 July 2020 and may be subject to change.
COVID-19 testing continues in Moreland. Find the latest updates about local testing sites on Council's Facebook page here.
Stage 3 restrictions were re-introduced on 8 July: stay at home or go out for four reasons only: work or education if necessary; shopping for food and supplies; medical care or care giving and exercise.
From Thursday 23 July, when you are outside your house for 1 of the 4 essential reasons, people 12 years and older must wear a face covering. If you do not, you may receive a $200 fine. More information will be released this week. Stay up to date.
Where can I get a mask?
You can buy single use face masks (surgical masks) or reusable masks (cloth mask) from shops like chemists or hardware stores. Many local gift and clothing shops are also now selling masks. You can make your own reusable mask. If you don’t have a mask, you can use a scarf or any other face covering.
Face Coverings and Exercise
If you are jogging, cycling, or doing other hard exercise, you do not need to wear a face covering, but must carry one with you and wear it when you stop the hard exercise. If you are walking you must wear a face covering. Some local initiatives create cloth masks at-cost price, for example Brunswick Neighbourhood House or Second Stitch.
Face Coverings and Car Travel
If you are travelling in a car alone or with someone from your household, you do not need to wear a face covering. If you are driving with someone who doesn’t live with you, you must wear a face covering. You should cover your face before you get out of your car. DHHS has provided instructions on how to make a face mask in your language at coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translations
Thrive Community Recovery Grants
Are you part of a Moreland community group or organisation that has an idea for a project or initiative that will support our community during the COVID-19 pandemic? Grants of up to $5,000 are available. Applications close on Sunday 9 August.
Flourish Arts Recovery Grants Program
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the Australian arts and culture sector, with local artists and arts organisations reporting considerable financial hardship due to event cancellations and loss of income.
- Individual Artists (Up to $5,000) - for individuals, sole traders and freelancers
- Arts Organisations (up to $10,000) - for collectives, ensembles and not-for-profit businesses
Applications close on Sunday 9 August
Victorian Let's Stay Connected Fund closes 31 August
The Victorian Government is helping communities to stay connected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond with the Let’s Stay Connected Fund, which provides grants between $5,000 and $200,000 to support community-led initiatives.
The Moreland Democracy Lab is a FREE online program of weekly workshops designed to support community-led ideas and build connections in Moreland. Apply by 27 July 2020
Key Council COVID-19 service updates as of 21 July
The health and safety of our community is our priority and any decisions around services follow advice from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Temporarily closed or suspended:
- Counihan Gallery
- Halls and venues for hire
- Leisure and aquatic centres
- Libraries
- Playgroups
- School Holiday Program
Open with modifications:
- Aged and Community Support
- Customer Service Centres
- Maternal and child health
- Immunization services
- Oxygen Youth Space (appointments only)
- Sport and Recreation - Tennis, Golf only
Regular service:
- Family Day Care
- Kindergarten enrolments
- Waste services
Be Kind Moreland: Where to get help and support
If you are experiencing hardship or doing it tough as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, these services may be able to help with food packages or vouchers, financial assistance, your safety, and legal advice. To find information about a particular service use the menu below:
- Food relief services
- Government payments and support
- Rent relief and housing support
- Family violence
- Legal assistance
- Refugee and Asylum Seeker support
- International Student support
- Disability support and information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support
- Family support
- Support for Young People
- Mental health and Wellbeing
- Employment resources and support
- Gambler's help remote support services
- Assistance with energy bills
- Useful services for Older People
Books to your door and online events at Moreland Libraries
While Moreland libraries are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic Books to your door offers a contactless home delivery service to Moreland residents who may not be able to access the online collection of e-library resources but would like some reading materials during this time of isolation.
Interesting upcoming workshops - all online - include a weekly English Conversation Club; Ghosts of Pentridge Prison on 23 July and Caring for your Indoor Plants on 10 August. All events remain on the library facebook page and may be archived on their YouTube channel.
Do you know a remarkable group or person who gives back to the community? Nominate them for a Moreland Award now. There are 10 categories to nominate.
Mental health support during lockdown
Mental health support for young people at headspace Glenroy
headspace Glenroy continues to provide health support for young people aged 12-25 years (including for mental health, physical health, AoD, legal support) .
They are offering telehealth appointments and encourage young people to call if they have questions on 9304 1011 or email Info-headspaceGlenroy@orygen.org.au
Djirra’s Koori Women’s Place provides a culturally safe service for women to gather, participate in activities, share stories or sometimes just have brief respite from the immediate and pressing impacts of family violence. Support workers can also link Aboriginal women in with Djirra lawyers and counsellors.
Mental health support for refugees
Foundation House offers a comprehensive range of services for people from refugee or refugee-like background including:
- Specialised counselling
- Individual and family support
- Group programs
- Complementary therapies such as traditional herbal medicine, massage and other natural therapies
The services are Free including access to professional interpreters
COVID Connect - Red Cross Service to to keep you socially connected.
COVID Connect is a free service from the Australian Red Cross to provide a friendly chat, a listening ear to help maintain or improve social connection to anyone who needs it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you need help registering for COVID Connect, please call the Customer Care Team on 1800 733 276.
Supporting Children During COVID
Children will experience the impacts of COVID in different ways. Their lives have changed over the past few months. Schools, playgrounds and play groups are closed and they may hear about COVID through the media and also be aware of changes in their parents' and caregivers' behaviour.
Emerging Minds have a range of resources and tip sheets to support children and their famiiies during the pandemic
Smiling Mind Care Packs for Kids - practical, online resources for parents, carers and teachers to use with children to alleviate anxiety, promote calm, build emotional wellbeing and promote positive mental health.
The children’s book Birdie and the Virus has been developed to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of babies, young children and their parents and families during COVID. The book is available in Farsi, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and English and can be downloaded here
Q Health: Counselling and support (Merri Health)
Service for people who would like to talk about the concerns or impacts of their alcohol and drug use in a confidential, non-judgmental and queer-affirmative space.
Partners in Wellbeing Mental Health Service (Brunswick)
Partners in Wellbeing, a free service by NEAMI National and based in Brunswick, provides one-on-one counselling and emotional support to people 16 years and older who have been feeling distressed, anxious or down over several weeks and whose usual coping strategies are not working.
Phone 1300 375 330 during business hours or email partnersinwellbeing@neaminational.org.au
Mental Health support for Aboriginal Victorians
Yarning Safe and Strong, state-wide helpline and support for Aboriginal Victorians experiencing increased anxiety, distress and mental ill-health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The helpline provides callers with counselling support by the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and links to other local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
Call VACCHO on 1800 959 563
Emergency relief support for people on temporary visas
Emergency relief helps people to meet their basic needs, like food, medicine or shelter.
The support is targeted at the most vulnerable temporary and provisional visa holders and undocumented migrants. Depending on individual need, up to three small emergency relief payments can be made per person or family over the next six months.
Applicants will need evidence of current or most recent visa status and evidence of financial hardship.
International Student Emergency Relief Fund
Applications are open for the Victorian Government’s International Student Emergency Relief Fund, up to $1,100 will be made to eligible students. The fund supports international students facing financial hardship due to lost wages and work as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Virtual Y FREE online wellbeing program
Virtual Y is provided by the YMCA and offers free access to exclusive fitness videos, nutritious recipes, wellbeing advice, family activities and the Y's Youth Hub.
‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ - Improve psychological and emotional health
This program is built on extensive evidence and promotes 5 strategies to keep mentally and physically well: Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Be Aware and Help Others.
The website provides practical tools and resources.
Support for Families and Individuals During COVID-19
The large service catchment includes Moreland and Hume municipalities.
COVID-19 has put extra pressure on many individuals and families and drummondd street services offer a range of free services - counselling, mental health support, parent coaching and support etc.
Interpreting services are available including multilingual staff.
Contact the service on 9663 6733 during business hours.
Services and Support for People 50+ and Seniors
Stepped Care: mental and physical wellbeing services
If you or someone you know is aged 65+ and is experiencing stress, loneliness, or going through a difficult time, get in touch with our Stepped Care for Older Adults team. A health professional will provide one-on-one support tailored to your needs. We can see you in your own home, in one of our centres, or speak to you via the phone or video call. The program is free and confidential. Call 1300 637 744 and speak to our Service Access team or email service.access@merrihealth.org.au.
Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line
The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line provides information and support to senior Australians, their families and carers.
Call 1800 171 866 on Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30am to 6pm.
Healthy ageing support for people aged 50 and over.
If you are aged 50+ and experience anxiety and/or social isolation, get in touch with our Living Well, Ageing Well team. Call 1300 637 744 and speak to our Service Access team or email
Feeling safe in your home
The behaviour of your partner or family members might have changed or escalated during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. If their behaviour makes you feel unsafe – it is not okay. You have the right to feel safe, access medical support, communicate with friends and family and to leave the house.
Seniors Rights Victoria provides free advice and legal assistance – call 1300 368 821 during business hours.
Upcoming meetings of Moreland Service Provider Networks
- Fawkner Service Provider Network
Wed 5th August 9:30am – 11:00am
Contact: Veronika
vpradel@moreland.vic.gov.au
- Glenroy Service Provider Network
Wed 29 July 10:00am -12:00 pm
Contact: Sophie
spatitsas@moreland.vic.gov.au
- Southern Service Provider Network
Thur 6 August 9 am - 10.30 am
Contact: Leanne on 9240 1206 or lgiardina@moreland.vic.gov.au
- Moreland Multicultural Settlement Network Meeting - Consultation on Social Cohesion Plan
Wed 5 August 9:30 - 11:00 am on Zoom. Contact: Petr on 9240 2467 or psvoboda@moreland.vic.gov.au
- Moreland Disability Service Network
Wed 5 August 10:00am – 11:30am
Contact: George
gparis@moreland.vic.gov.au
- Moreland Family Violence Network
Wed 26 Aug 9.30 am - 11 am
Contact: May mhaeder@moreland.vic.gov.au
About this newsletter
This newsletter is developed by Council’s Community Development and Social Policy team for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and is intended for service providers and community organisations that cover the City of Moreland.
Council values its partnerships with community organisation and groups now more than ever as community needs grow and change in response to the pandemic.
We’d love your feedback on this newsletter and any ideas of what you’d like to see e included. Please provide this to esampson@moreland.vic.gov.au.
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Phone: (03) 9240 1111
moreland.vic.gov.au
90 Bell Street, Coburg, VIC 3058