Self Help
The Self Help areas include a number of articles and links which may assist with various issues. If you require additional assistance, then don't hesitate to contact the Counselling Service.
Other Resources
Students and staff of Macquarie University consult with the Counsellors regarding a wide range of issues. The following are a list of further resources which you might find helpful. Many of these links are to external websites both within Australia and overseas. The Counselling Service takes no responsibility for the information provided by these websites nor is it suggested that these are a substitute for seeing a Counsellor. If you need further assistance contact the Counselling Service.
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Australian Government. Department of Health and Ageing
http://www.alcohol.gov.au
Information on alcohol-related health, science
and news provided by the Australian Government with useful links and websites.
Drug Info Clearinghouse
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au
Online library on drug and alcohol-related information and resources, including useful fact sheets.
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
http://www.ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/
Provides research, publications, information and useful links about drugs and alcohol.
Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre
http://www.turningpoint.org.au/
Turning Point provides a wide range of specialist treatment and support services to people affected by alcohol and drug use. Services can be accessed by phone or online.
DirectLine
Turning Point’s statewide telephone services network operates 24 hours, seven days.
Trained counsellors provide information and referral to the public and to health professionals.
PH: 1800 888 236
Counselling Online
http://www.counsellingonline.org.au
Anger Management
Australian Psychological Society
http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/anger/
Tip sheet about anger problems and strategies for managing anger.
Mental Help Net
http://www.mentalhelp.net
Detailed information about a variety of topics and suggestions for anger management.
Mood Juice
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk
Information and a comprehensive self help guide to assist people to understand anger, its causes and ways to better manage anger problems.
Anxiety
Anxiety Network Australia
http://www.anxietynetwork.com.au
Information on anxiety disorders and contributions from people with these disorders.
Beyond Blue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au
An Australian website providing detailed information on a range of mental health issues, as well as providing links with other useful sites.
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUFAD)
http://www.crufad.org
Information and self-help material available from this site provided by St. Vincent's Hospital and The University of New South Wales.
Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit (MUARU)
http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/MUARU
Specialist clinical unit based at Macquarie University provides treatment programs and information on anxiety related disorders.
Panic, Anxiety , Depression and Tranquilliser Dependency (RECONNEXION)
http://www.reconnexion.org.au
Victorian based counselling service providing information and useful links about anxiety and depression.
SANE Australia
http://www.sane.org
Operates a Helpline, website and provides information for people affected by a mental illness, their families and friends.
Social Anxiety Australia
http://www.socialanxiety.com.au
This site offers information about social anxiety, resources, personal stories and recovery issues.
Assertiveness Skills
Mental Help Net
http://www.mentalhelp.net
Information about communictaing assertively and setting boundaries.
Mood Juice
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk
Offers a self help guide aimed at helping people to understand assertiveness and learning to use assertive behaviours.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Counselling Center
http://www.couns.uiuc.edu/brochures/assertiv.htm
Self help brochure and strategies for assertive behaviours.
University of Texas
http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/assert/assertive.html
Provides information about assertiveness, further reading and links to further resources.
Bipolar Disorder
Black Dog Institute
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
A clinical, research and educational facility whose website provides information on the diagnosis, treatment and getting assistance for depression and bipolar disorder.
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUFAD)
http://www.crufad.org
Information and self-help material available from this site provided by St. Vincent's Hospital and The University of New South Wales.
Depression and Mood Disorders Association
http://www.dmda.mentalhealth.asn.au
Information regarding mood disorders, support groups, personal experiences and links.
SANE Australia
http://www.sane.org
Operates a Helpline, website and provides information for people affected by mental illness, their families and friends.
Confidence and Self-Esteem
Centre for Clinical Interventions
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm
Comrehensive self-help package for understanding and improving self-esteem.
Mood Juice
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk
Offers a self-help guide to support people experiencing shyness and difficulties in social situations
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagna Counselling Centre
http://www.couns.uiuc.edu/Brochures/assertiv.htm
Self-help brochure and strategies for gaining self-confidence.
University of Texas
http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/selfesteem/selfest.html
Information about ways to improve self-esteem and further reading list.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)
Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Service
http://www.damec.org.au
Provides information, resources and support for people affetced by drug and alcohol use in multicultural communities.
Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Service
http://www.multiculturalhivhepc.net.au
Information about HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, other sexual health issues and options for further support.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia
http://www.mmha.org.au
Information on mental health translated into different languages and links to culturally relevant mental helath services.
Multicultural Problem Gambling Service for NSW
http://www.mpgs.nsw.gov.au
Provides face to face and telepohone counselling, in addition to information and advice related to problem gambling.
NSW Refugee Health Service
http://www.swsahs.nsw.gov.au/areaser/refugeehs/main.asp
Transcultural Mental Health Centre
http://www.dhi.gov.au/tmhc
Provision of comprehensive multicultural mental health information in community languages, links to transcultural services and access to information on resources, publications and research.
Service for the Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
http:/www.startts.org
Information, education, assessment and counselling for refugees who have been exposed to torture and trauma.
Depression
Beyond Blue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au
An Australian website providing detailed information on a range of mental health issues, as well as providing links with other useful sites.
Black Dog Institute
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
A clinical, research and educational facility whose website provides information about the diagnosis, treatment and getting assistance for depression and bipolar disorder.
BluePages
http://www.bluepages.anu.edu.au
Provides information about the prevention and treatment of depression as well as other links.
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders (CRUFAD)
http://www.crufad.org
Information and self help material available from the site provided by St. Vincent's Hospital and The University of New South Wales.
DepressioNet
http://www.depressionet.com.au
Provides information, resources and support for people with depression, and for their family and friends.
MoodGYM
http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
An interactive web-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program that helps people identify problem emotions and develop skills for preventing and managing depression.
Panic, Anxiety , Depression and Tranquilliser Dependency (RECONNEXION)
http://www.reconnexion.org.au
Victorian based counselling service providing information and useful links about anxiety and depression.
SANE Australia
http://www.sane.org
Operates a Helpline, website and provides information for people affected by mental ilness, their family and friends.
Domestic Violence
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/voc
Fact sheets and information about AVOs, legal advice, housing assistance, in addition to an extensive list of referrals for counselling and further support.
Eating Disorders
Centre for Eating and Dieting Disorders (CEDD)
http://www.cedd.org.au
Provides information about treatment and services available for people with eating disorders. Information on research papers and links to other websites.
Eating Disorders Foundation
http://www.edf.org.au
Resources, support groups and information on eating disorders.
Family and Friends
Association for Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill (ARAFMI)
http://www.arafmi.asn.au
Information and support services for friends and families of people with a mental illness.
Carers Australia
http://www.carersaustralia.com.au
Information and services for people caring for someone with an illness or disability, including mental illness.
Gambling
Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai Health Service
http://www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au/services/hornsby/HKHs/gamblingmain.htm
Provides information on Gambling Counselling Services in Hornsby, Mona Vale, Queenscliff, Chatswood and Ryde. Other useful links e.g. to G Line, 24 hour help (1800 633 635).
Relationships Australia
http://www.relationships.com.au
Relationships Australia provides a range of services to help where gambling is a problem for relationships.
St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney Gambling Treatment Program
http://wwwsvh.stvincents.com.au/gambling/gambling.htm
Provides counselling and clinical intervention for people with gambling problems.
Salvo Care Line
http://www.salvos.org.au
Provides information on dealing with problem gambling. Links to Salvation Army Residential Treatment Program and Salvation Army Problem Gambling Centre.
Grief and Loss
Beyond Blue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au
An Australian website providing detailed information on a range of mental health issues, as well as providing links with other useful sites.
The National Association for Loss and Grief
http://www.nalag.org.au
Information on services available, publications and links for people experiencing grief following the loss of someone close to them.
Mental Health
Australian Psychological Society
http://www.psychology.org.au
Provides information about psychology as a discipline and as a profession as well as Tip Sheets on a range of common psychological issues and how psychologists can help.
Beyond Blue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au
An Australian website providing detailed information on a range of mental health issues, as well as providing links with other useful sites.
Lifeline
http://www.lifeline.org.au
Provides a 24 hour counselling service (131114) as well as a range of community services, education and training on topics such as suicide prevention.
Mental Health Association of New South Wales
http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au
Promotes a Mental Health Information Service, support groups, mental health training and advocacy as well as the Anxiety Disorders Alliance.
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia
http://www.schizophrenia.org.au
Supports and represents people with a severe mental illness and their carers.
Panic, Anxiety , Depression and Tranquilliser Dependency (RECONNEXION)
http://www.reconnexion.org.au
Victorian based counselling service providing information and useful links about anxiety and depression.
SANE Australia
http://www.sane.org
Operates a Helpline, website and provides information for people affected by mental illness, their family and friends.
Relationships
Australian Psychological Society
http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/solutions/
Tip sheet on common relationship difficulties and strategies for overcoming them.
Go Ask Alice
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
Columbia University's Question and Answer internet service on many topics including sexual health and relationships.
MensLine
http://www.menslineaus.org.au
Information on various men's issues including relationships.
Reach Out!
http://www.reachout.com.au
Fact sheets about a variety of relationship issues.
Relationships Australia
http://www.relationships.com.au
Information on services provided by Relationships Australia as well as information on a range of relationship topics.
University of Florida
http://www.counsel.ufl.edu
Tip sheets on relationship issues such as dating, intimacy and relationship breakups.
Sexual Assault
New South Wales Rape Crisis Centre
http://www.nswrapecrisis.com.au
Comprehensive information, fact sheets and list of services available for those who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Includes sexual assault telephone and online counselling service.
Sexual Orientation
ACON Community Health and Action
http://www.acon.org.au
Provides information and health promotion especially with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
Australian Psychological Society
http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/orientation
The APS has tip sheets providing information on sexual orientation and with answers to frequently asked questions.
http://www.groups.psychology.org.au/glip
Contains information about services and organisations for lesbians and gay men provided by the APS Gay and Lesbian Interest Group web-site.
Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW
http://www.glcsnsw.org.au
A volunteer based anonymous and confidential information and referral service for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. This organisation has a counselling and information line open seven days a week from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm:
8594 9596 (metropolitan)
1800 184527 (outside Sydney)
The Gender Centre
http://www.gendercentre.org.au
Website offers a range of services and information for people with gender issues, their partners, families and friends.
Study Skills
University of Chicago Study Skills and Resource Centre
http://counseling.uchicago.edu/resources/virtualpamphlets/study_skills.shtml
A large number of virtual pamphlets on study skills, test-taking, writing and time management as well as many other topics.
University of Melbourne
http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/llsu/resources/index.html
Contains a number of useful resources on learning.
University of New England
http://www.une.edu.au/counselling/self-help.php
Provides useful resources to assist students in their learning.
Study Skills Online
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/~mastmmg/ssguide/sshome.htm
This site has an on-line study skills resource.
Suicide Prevention
Lifeline
http://www.lifeline.org.au
Provides information, resources and links on suicide awareness and prevention as well as contact details for where to get help.
Provides a 24 hour counselling service (131114).
Mensline
http://www.menslineaus.org.au
Information on various men's issues, including men and suicide.
Provides a 24 hour phone line (1300 789 878)
Salvo Care Line
http://www.salvos.org.au
Phone line (1300 363 622). Information on support services for people with personal issues such as loneliness, depression, grief, anger, stress, parenting and relationship problems.
Suicide Helpline
http://www.suicidehelpline.org.au
Victorian based organisation providing useful information to assist people who know of someone who might be suicidal.
Suicide Prevention Australia
http://www.suicidepreventionaust.org
National umbrella body promoting community awareness, collaboration, information sharing and related events.
Trauma
Australian Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health
http://www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au
Provides information, including referral resources about trauma and its effects, with excellent links to other websites related to the topic.
Other Useful Websites
The following are other websites that have useful information about, as well as links to, a wide range of topics.
AUSIENET
http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/index.php
The Australia and New Zealand Student Services Association
http://www.anzssa.org
The Australian Psychological Society
http://www.psychology.org.au
Centre for Clinical Intervention (CCI)
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm
CCI, through the W.A. health department, have developed online self-paced learning modules addressing different issues. Each module includes information, worksheets and suggested exercises or activities.
Lanarkshire Mental Health
http://www.lanarkshirementalhealth.org.uk
The Unabridged Student Counselling Virtual Pamphlet Collection
http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/vpc.html