Community Support Services

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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