Emergency, crisis and support services

Community health services are publicly funded and offer a range of health services to local residents.

There are many free mental health hotlines and mental health online support services available across Victoria which provide crisis support, information, resources, counselling and therapy to people of all ages.

Anyone who is struggling with a personal concern can seek help from a counsellor.

Various organisations can offer support, assistance and counselling for people who have gambling problems.

You may feel angry, hurt and betrayed when you discover that a family member or friend has a gambling problem.

Grief is a process, not an event – most people will continue to grieve in subtle ways for the rest of their lives.

People who have support from family and friends are less likely to suffer poor health after bereavement and loss.

There are personal and relationship services available to you that offer counselling and relationship advice.

When returning to your home after a flood, take precautions to reduce the possibility of injury, illness or disease.

A high proportion of injuries associated with rugby occur during the tackle.

Urban flash flooding can happen quickly and without warning. Keep up-to-date with the latest warnings through the VicEmergency website or download the app.

Various organisations can offer support, assistance and counselling for people who have gambling problems.

You may feel angry, hurt and betrayed when you discover that a family member or friend has a gambling problem.

There are various warning signs that may indicate you are developing problem-gambling habits.

If you have a gambling problem, a financial counsellor can advise you on how to manage your money and repay your debts.

The first step is to decide that you want to stop or control your gambling.

You cannot force someone to acknowledge that they have an issue with gambling, but you can encourage them to seek professional help.

Internet addiction refers to the compulsive need to spend a lot of time on the Internet, to the point where relationships, work and health suffer.

In a medical emergency, call triple zero (000) for assistance.

Information about disaster relief for national and state emergencies.

Urban flash flooding can happen quickly and without warning. Keep up-to-date with the latest warnings through the VicEmergency website or download the app.

Immediate telephone assistance is available for all kinds of emergencies.

Most injuries to babies do not occur by chance - many are predictable and largely preventable.

Even if your baby furniture meets every safety standard and recommendation, your child still needs close supervision.

By making a few practical changes to your home, you can dramatically reduce the risk of injury to your child.

An emergency care plan is a set of instructions about caring for someone in the event that you are not able to.

Hand and finger injuries are the most common crush injuries that occur on Victorian farms.

Falls are a common farm hazard, especially for older farmers.

Children who live on farms are at greater risk of injury and death than their parents or other farm workers.

Some knowledge of basic first aid can mean the difference between life and death.

Your first aid kit should be organised, properly stocked and available at all times.

For unexpected after-hours medical issues, there are telephone helplines, pharmacies, after-hours medical clinics or doctors who can visit you at home.

If you are bitten or stung by an insect or animal, apply first aid and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Bleeding may be minor or it may be a life-threatening medical emergency.

Immediate first aid for all burns is to hold the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.

Most hot tap water scald injuries to children happen in the bathroom.

In a medical emergency, call triple zero (000) for assistance.

CPR is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn from an accredited organisation.

Don't slap a choking person on the back while they are upright - gravity may cause the object to slip further down their windpipe. Find out what to do when someone is choking.

Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken.

Always disconnect the power supply before trying to help a victim of electric shock.

Drugs affect your body’s central nervous system. They affect how you think, feel and behave.

Pill testing helps people make safer choices by showing them what’s really in their drugs. Pill testing gives people a safe space to ask questions and get help without judgment.

Shock is when there is not enough blood circulating in the body. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Certain children are at a higher risk of physical or emotional harm than others due to their living circumstances or home environment.

Community health services are publicly funded and offer a range of health services to local residents.

It is normal to disagree with each other from time to time and occasional conflict is part of family life.

Perpetrators often make excuses for their violence, for example, blaming alcohol or stress.

Various organisations can offer support, assistance and counselling for people who have gambling problems.

You may feel angry, hurt and betrayed when you discover that a family member or friend has a gambling problem.

People who have support from family and friends are less likely to suffer poor health after bereavement and loss.

There are personal and relationship services available to you that offer counselling and relationship advice.

Too many children are physically, sexually and emotionally abused and when this happens, it is up to adults to speak up.

Losing the farm can be like losing a loved one for a farming family.

Self-harm and self-injury is when people hurt themselves on purpose, usually in response to intense emotional pain or negative feelings, thoughts or memories.

If you suspect sexual abuse or have been told about it by a child, you must report it.

As a parent, you have an important role in helping your child recover from sexual abuse.

When a family is affected by trauma, everyone will react in a different way.

Nurse-on-Call is a free, confidential telephone helpline that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Any person who believes, on reasonable grounds, that a child needs protection can notify Child Protection.

You can appoint someone to be your medical power of attorney, also known as ‘enduring power of attorney (medical treatment)’, to make medical decisions on your behalf when, in certain circumstances, you can’t.

Any person who believes, on reasonable grounds, that a child needs protection can notify Child Protection.

The Victorian Child Protection Service provides child-centred, family-focused services to protect children and young people who are at risk of significant harm.

Any act occurring within a relationship where there is an implication of trust, which results in harm to an older person. Abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological and/or neglect.

People with a mental illness who are receiving effective treatment are no more violent than anyone else in the community.

People with a disability who experience violence, abuse or neglect can seek help from a range of services specifically designed to help them.

There are personal and relationship services available to you that offer counselling and relationship advice.

If you suspect sexual abuse or have been told about it by a child, you must report it.

As a parent, you have an important role in helping your child recover from sexual abuse.

Some survivors of torture and trauma live with their memories for years, or even for the rest of their lives.