List of Mental Health Resources & Services by Region
Hello, friends! We wanted to make sure you can find mental health support if you or someone you know needs it. So, we’ve put together some tips as well as a collection of resources for different regions and countries. If you are here for the list of mental health helplines and resources, scroll down to the second section directly.
We’ll add to this over the next couple of weeks. If you have any additional resources, tell us in the comments or let us know on our Instagram or Facebook.
We hope that you are safe and well. This is a challenging and difficult time for all of us but remember that it is temporary and that there is help if you need it. Use these resources if the need arises. We’re sending virtual hugs to you.
General Tips for Mental Health During Shelter-in-Place, Quarantine, Lockdown
What you’re feeling is normal and valid
Everyone is reacting to this situation differently and it is OK if you feel overwhelmed, afraid, anxious, depressed or similar feelings. There’s a lot of pressure to stay productive or learn new skills during this time. But this isn’t a bank holiday, it is an unprecedented crisis. What you’re feeling is understandable, expected and valid.
It’s OK to turn off the news and take a break
We all want to stay informed and have a sense of control towards what’s happening. Remember that we should be listening to news updates from trusted sources such as the relevant local or national health ministries, mayors, etc. and avoiding misinformation or hearsay from unverified sources (Auntie Rose might be trustworthy but she isn’t a verified source of information)
When appropriate, it is absolutely OK to turn off the news. You do not need to be glued to it 24/7, especially to 24-hour news channels. Due to the need to have constant programming, these channels can create or reinforce feelings like anxiety.
It’s a serious situation, but it’s OK to take a step back from it and do something nice. It helps.
Do a bit every day
Finding something productive and positive to do does help. If possible, plan small productive tasks to complete each day. It’s good to have a long term plan or to work on your dream novel, but having small productive tasks that can be completed each day will give you a sense of achievement & morale boost. If you’re working on a novel, break it into 1000 words a day. If you’ve been thinking of fixing that shelf, now is the time.
Stay connected (virtually)
Call, text, email, facetime or just talk to your neighbours (from a distance). Reminding ourselves of the good things that are still in our lives, like the people we love, is really helpful during times like these. But please do not use Zoom. We use Jitsi instead. It’s open source and free.
Access mental health services if you need it
All of us are going to need mental health support before this is over. Sometimes, what we need is beyond what our immediate friends and family can provide. At those times, we should reach out to mental health services in our area. We’ve listed a few for a bunch of different regions and countries below.
List Of Mental Health Resources and Helplines by Region
Malaysia
Befrienders Malaysia, Emotional Support & Suicide Prevention Helpline
https://www.befrienders.org.my/
Skype IDs: BefKL Skype 1, BefKL Skype 2 (Petaling Jaya area)
Contact information and service times by state:
https://www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia
Ministry of Women, Family & Community Malaysia, COVID-19 Counseling Helpline
(operating 24/7)
Talian Kasih 15999 or Whatsapp Talian Kasih 019 26 15999
Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang, Counseling Services & Domestic Violence Rescue
(Mon - Sat, 9am - 9pm)
Please refer to the following list for call numbers, whatsapp numbers and email:
https://wccpenang.org/2020/03/important-extended-counselling-services-for-the-mco-2/
Courtesy of WCC
Singapore
Mental Health Helpline, Crisis Intervention
(Available 24/7)
Tel: 6389 2222
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), Counseling Services & Suicide Prevention
(Available 24/7)
Tel: 1800-221 4444
Email:pat@sos.org.sg
https://www.sos.org.sg/
Singapore Association of Mental Health, Counseling Helpline
https://www.samhealth.org.sg/about-samh/contact-us/
Tel: 1800-283 7019 (Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 6pm, except public holidays)
Australia
Beyond Blue Support Service, Counseling Support & Intervention
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
Call 1300 22 4636 (Available 24/7)
Chat Online and email available at website. Translation services for non-English speakers also available.
Lifeline, Crisis Counseling & Suicide Prevention
https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/topics/mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days)
Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights)
Chat online: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat (7pm - midnight, 7 nights)
Black Dog Institute, Resources for Anxiety, Stress & Well-being
https://blackdoginstitute.org.au/COVID-19
New Zealand
Ministry of Health New Zealand, List of Resources and Helplines
(probably the best national ministry resource page we came across. Kudos, guys)
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/mental-health-services
SPARX, online e-therapy tool for young people
Helpline & Resource for Depression & Anxiety
Free 24/7 Helpline: 0800 111 757 Text 4202
https://depression.org.nz/covid-19/
United States of America
Disaster Distress Helpline
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Call 800-273-8255 or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Crisis Textline
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Text TALK to 741741
Canada
Hope for Wellness Helpline, Crisis Intervention & Counselling support for First Nations & Inuit
Call 1-855-242-3310 (Available 24/7)
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention Directory
https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Directory
Find your local CMHA office and helpline information using their finder
https://cmha.ca/find-your-cmha
United Kingdom
NHS Mental Health Helplines List
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
Find mental health services in your local area using this finder tool
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Mental%20health%20support/LocationSearch/330
Republic of Ireland
Samaritans (listening service for anyone in distress)
FreePhone: 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org
Your Mental Health Infoline
FreePhone 1800 111 888