OCD & Anxiety HelpLine
03 9886 9377 or 1300 ANXIETY or 1300 269 438
Monday - Thursday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Messagebank - 24 hours*
*The messagebank operates if the telephone counsellor is attending to a another call - this is to avoid callers constantly getting an engaged signal, and allows a message to be left. Please leave a message - the HelpLine counsellors always attempt to return calls as soon as possible. Messages can be left on the messagebank at anytime (24 hrs). However, please note that return calls to callers leaving messages out of hours will be made during the Helpline's hours of operation: Monday - Thursday, 10am - 4pm.
For urgent assistance please call Lifeline 13 11 14 - available 24 hours.
See also contact numbers for other crisis and counselling helplines.
Information about the OCD & Anxiety HelpLine
ARCVic's OCD & Anxiety HelpLine provides telephone counselling, support, information and referral advice to people with anxiety disorders, their carers, family members and friends, primary care and mental health professionals and agencies, psychiatric disability support workers, allied health workers, academic staff and others.
The HelpLine team work on a voluntary basis, and are provided with training and on-going support and supervision by the Director and senior telephone counsellors.
The telephone counsellor's role is to assist callers to understand and manage symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression, to identify problems and barriers to recovery, to more effectively deal with the impact of their disorder on family and relationships, and to develop self-management skills. The role also includes providing appropriate and accurate information about anxiety disorders and evidence-based treatment interventions, and guidance regarding professional, community and health services.
In 2004, ARCVic provided telephone helpline services to 4209 people with anxiety disorders (males 40%, females 60%), carers, families and friends (19%), and the community (18%), (60% of total calls); and to 2728 professionals and workers from community, health and mental health agencies (39% of total calls). 48 telephone assessments were also undertaken.
A total of 6985 calls were dealt with by the HelpLine team, staff and volunteers.