General COVID-19 Information

    National Coronavirus Helpline
    1800 020 080
    24/7
    health.gov.au health information

    Call this line if you are seeking information on coronavirus.

    SA COVID-19 Information Line
    1800 253 787
    8.00am to 8.00pm 7 days a week
    www.covid-19.sa.gov.au

    Available to South Australians and provides local information on COVID - 19 to the general public.

    Wellbeing Checks

    Telecross REDi Covid-19
    1800 188 071
    register.redcross.org.au

    Offering a free, daily phone call to check on their welfare of South Australians in response to COVID-19. Specially trained Red Cross staff and volunteers will make the calls, supporting the wellbeing of clients, including asking how they are coping and if they need support to access medical or food supplies, as well as reiterating up-to-date government health advice.

    Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line
    1800 171 866
    8:30am - 6pm Monday - Friday

    A new support line has been set up to provide information, support and check on older Australians during this period of social distancing.

    Lifeline CareRing
    8723 2299
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday

    A local service by volunteers at Lifeline SE to provide regular phone calls or text messages to elderly and/or isolated people in our community.

    Mental Health, Counselling and Support

    Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service - Beyond Blue
    1800 512 348
    24/7
    coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au

    Information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. . Trained staff will listen, provide information and advice and point callers in the right direction to seek further support.

    Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Coping with COVID-19
    adf.org.au/covid-19

    As the social restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic unfold, the potential for harms associated with alcohol and other drugs may increase. Some people may find themselves drinking or using substances more to cope with anxiety, negativity, stress and our changing environment. To help people stay as safe as possible, you’ll find a range of helpful information and links from this page.

    SA COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
    1800 632 753
    8am - 8pm 7 days

    For mental health support by phone and video in relation to COVID-19, contact the SA COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line by calling 1800 632 753, available 8.00am to 8.00pm, seven days a week. This service can also provide follow-up calls.

    Lifeline
    13 11 14
    Text - 0477 131 114
    www.lifeline.org.au
    24/7 availability

    24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services via phone, chat or text.

    ASK PEACE
    8245 8110
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday
    www.rasa.org.au/services/couples-families/askpeace

    ASK PEACE is a virtual mental health service for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living in South Australia who have been impacted by COVID-19.

    Thirrili
    1800 841 313
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday
    thirrili.com.au

    Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

    Kids Helpline
    1800 551 800
    kidshelpline.com.au

    Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

    headspace
    8725 0443
    headspacemountgambier@ unitingcommunities.org
    9.30am - 5.30pm Monday
    9am - 8pm Tuesday
    11.30am - 5.30pm Wednesday
    9am - 8pm Thursday
    9.30am - 5.30pm Friday
    eheadspace

    headspace is a one stop shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs or work and study support.

    Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services
    CAMHS Connect 1300 222 647
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday

    CAMHS is a free community based mental health service providing acute and urgent mental health services to children and young people. Due to COVID-19 service provision via Healthdirect (Telehealth) and/or phone sessions.

    Suicide Call Back Service
    1300 659 467
    24/7 availability
    www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

    Suicide Call Back Service is a national 24/7 telehealth provider that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Australia. Call, online chat or video chat.

    South East Mental Health Service
    8721 1507
    24 hour assistance 13 14 65

    Catering to youth (16 years to 24 years), adult and older person’s mental health needs. Provides triage, assessment and various levels of intensive support and assertive management or care depending on identified need.

    Food Support

    Check out these short videos to find out more about some of our local food support services.

    ac care
    Community Centre
    22-24 Ferrers St, Mount Gambier
    9am - 5pm Monday – Friday
    Please call 1300 222 273 prior to attendance.

    Providing fresh bread and vegetables, tea/coffee and toasted sandwiches from the rear of the Community Centre. Emergency food packages and Foodbank vouchers available subject to assessment.

    Sunset Kitchen
    Frew Park
    48 Penola Road, Mount Gambier
    6.00pm - 6.30pm Monday and Wednesday

    Provision of takeaway meals to those in need. No proof of hardship required. No questions asked.

    Meals on Wheels
    1800 854 453
    www.mealsonwheelssa.org.au

    Provision of a nourishing meal consisting of a soup, main course and dessert, delivered to your door. Available to anyone who can't shop or cook for themselves with ease, along with anyone who considers themselves 'in need' can receive meals. This may include an elderly individual, someone recovering from a hospital visit, an individual with a disability or even a time poor family.

    Foodbank Food Hub

    ONLY ACCESSIBLE WITH A REFERRAL VOUCHER.
    Providing bread, fruit and vegetables, affordable recipe packs and ready-made meals, pantry foods, meat, frozen foods, personal hygiene products, household cleaning products and other essentials. Vouchers must be sought from local welfare agencies such as: ac care, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Lifeline SE, Centre Care etc.

    Accommodation

    ac care
    Community Centre
    22-24 Ferrers St, Mount Gambier
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday
    Please call 1300 222 273 prior to attendance.
    After hours - Homeless Gateway 1800 003 308

    Direct assistance to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This includes those who are unable to self-isolate during COVID-19 in their own homes due to the presence of people in high-risk categories. Staff are working with new and existing clients via phone and video conferencing with the community drop in centre still open.

    COVID-19 Relief Call Centre
    1300 705 336
    housingrelief@sa.gov.au

    Provision of information and assistance with such things personal hardship support, accommodation support for people unable to achieve self-quarantining and accommodation for emergency services personnel that are required to quarantine but unable to do so at home. Available to all South Australians and can provide general support and referrals to other services as needed.

    South Australian Tenants' Information and Advisory Service (TIAS)
    1800 060 462
    www.syc.net.au/home/housing-support/tias

    A free, independent service, helping people maintain their tenancies in private rental, community housing or public housing.

    Financial Counselling and Emergency Relief

    Affordable SA
    1800 025 539
    9.30am - 8pm Monday - Thursday
    9.30am - 4.30pm Friday
    www.affordablesa.com.au

    Affordable SA is a free confidential service for South Australians struggling with affordability issues. It makes it easy to access information, resources, support, and services to best meet your needs. Affordable SA is accessible through our web page, app and helpline.

    Lifeline Mount Gambier Mount Gambier
    8723 2299
    reception@lifelinese.com.au
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday

    Assistance to resolve financial difficulties and increase money management knowledge and skills. Counselling provided by phone or video link.

    ac care
    Community Centre
    22-24 Ferrers St, Mount Gambier
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday
    Please call 1300 222 273 prior to attendance.

    Providing important advice around managing and information relating to the government response and options for financial support.

    Salvation Army
    8725 9900
    9am - 4pm Tuesday
    9am - 3.30pm Wednesday and & Thursday

    Support to the community via phone including emergency financial counselling and low interest loans.

    Family and Relationship Support Services

    Parents Helpline South Australia
    1300 364 100
    24/7
    kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you

    Parenting can be a tough job but also really rewarding. Talk to a Parentline counsellor who can help you navigate difficult parenting dilemmas.

    Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service
    8303 6640
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday
    lcdvs@centacare.org.au
    After hours - SA Domestic Violence Gateway 1800 800 098 or 1800 RESPECT

    Support for women experiencing domestic and Aboriginal family violence including accommodation assistance, low income support, legal assistance and referral and safety planning. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culturally appropriate support available.

    Department for Child Protection Limestone Coast Mount Gambier
    1800 800 747
    8.45am - 5pm Monday to Friday

    Primarily responsible for the protecting children from abuse and harm, providing alternative care for children when home is no longer an option, managing the adoption process and caring for refugee children at risk. If you are concerned about a child and have a reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected, phone the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) 131 478. The report line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    ac care Family Relationship Centre
    1300 222 273 (call prior to attendance)
    9am - 5pm Monday
    10.30am - 5pm Tuesday
    9am - 5pm Wednesday to Friday

    Support for families through the provision of relationship and personal counselling, parenting support and family mediation support.

    Centacare Family Services South East/Limestone Coast
    13 Penola Road, Mount Gambier
    8303 6630
    mountgambier@centacare.org.au
    9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday

    Support for families through the provision of relationship and personal counselling and family mediation support and dispute resolution.

    Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Coping with COVID-19
    adf.org.au/covid-19

    As the social restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic unfold, the potential for harms associated with alcohol and other drugs may increase. Some people may find themselves drinking or using substances more to cope with anxiety, negativity, stress and our changing environment. To help people stay as safe as possible, you’ll find a range of helpful information and links from this page.

    Mensline Australia
    1300 789 978
    mensline.org.au

    MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men concerned about their own violent behaviour.


    Justice and Victim Support

    Limestone Coast Community Justice Centre
    8723 1396
    TOLL FREE 1300 850 650
    limestone@communityjusticesa. org.au
    www.communityjustice.org.au
    9am - 5pm Monday to Friday

    Free legal advice to the community on a range of issues including family law, criminal matters and civic disputes. Currently providing telephone or video conferencing services only and appointments can be made via phone or website.

    Victim Support Service
    1800 842 846
    info@victimsa.org
    South East office staffed 9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday

    All services provided by phone. Providing support and information to adults that have experienced crime and/or abuse including the following:

    • Trauma informed counselling and support
    • Staying home staying safe
    • National redress scheme
    • Support to navigate criminal justice system
    • Assistance with Victim Impact Statements
    • Information about Victim of Crime Compensation
    • Facts sheets with practical information
    • About common reactions to crime and tips to help with recovery