depressioNet
depressionservices.org.au is depressioNet’s service portal offering a diverse range of interactive human services for adults living in Australia with depression. The suite of services includes free counselling and peer support, utilising online technologies to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing. The services are complemented by SMS, voiceclips and YouTube videos to enhance our clients’ experiences. depressionServices.org.au is a member of the Internet Industry Association and complies with the Internet Industry Code of Practice.
depressioNet is committed to quality assurance; all aspects of the organisation are carried out adhering to best practice principles. depressioNet adheres to a number of quality standards in service provision to ensure our services are appropriate and effective: the National Standards for Mental Health Services promote continuous improvement through allowing clients to be actively involved in the development of the services along with addressing duty of care, and the Quality Framework for Telephone Counselling and Internet-based Support Services ensures the services are accessible and equitable for clients. In addition, all fundraising processes and events for depressioNet are aligned with the Fundraising Institute of Australia Principles and Standards of Fundraising Practice.
Free Counselling
The Counselling Service at depressionServices provides free counselling online to people aged 18 and over, residing in Australia and impacted by mild to moderate depression. The Counselling Service is for clients who are committed to working with a Counsellor to improve the management of their depression and its impact on their daily living. The Counselling Service offers real time counselling, email correspondence, assessment, treatment and referral of clients. The Service is provided in a safe and supportive environment to improve the mental health and well being of clients.
The Counselling Service providers include qualified psychologists and counsellors, as well as volunteers and students on placement who are closely supervised. All counsellors and psychologists are registered with their respective peak bodies and registration boards.
Information
depressionServices.org.au provides information about depression that is factual, reliable, and extensive. All information provided has been quality assessed internally by qualified Professional Services staff and by the Healthcare Professional Advisory Team comprising a range of allied health professionals. depressioNet is certified by HONcode for adherence to the HONcode ethical standards, and supported by HealthInsite for currency and quality.
Peer Support
What is Peer Support?
Peer support is a process where people with similar life experiences share their understanding to support each other. Peer support is about both receiving and providing support to other people within the group. That having a commonality, such as depression, increases the individual’s ability to be empathetic and understanding to others in the group. Peer support encourages people to talk about their experiences and strategies.
Peer support groups can create an environment that is both supportive and challenging for the participants. Such environments can provide participants with a reminder that they are not alone, and, in the case of Peer Support at depressioNet, that they are not the only ones who experience depression. Peers come from a range of backgrounds, careers, genders, nationalities, age groups and experiences. It is the experience and information, not expert advice, shared by the group that makes everyone an equal, and every person is entitled to receive and provide support. http://www.workingwell.org.au/2.html
The Peer Support services at depressionServices are specifically designed for people aged 18 years and over, residing in Australia and impacted by mild to moderate depression. Clients can discuss the impact of depression on relationships, work, motivation, physical impacts, and other areas of their daily lives while sharing tips and strategies aimed at improving resilience, coping skills, and general wellbeing. The Working Well Service is aimed specifically at depression and the workplace. The Services also allow clients to engage in the process of giving and receiving support with people from all around Australia, regardless of geographical location.
Peer Support at depressionServices is facilitated by trained staff and volunteers and moderated, creating a safe and supportive environment. All clients in the Peer Support Services are anonymous to one another, further promoting a safe and non-judgemental environment.
What our client’s say –
“I find this site a great addition to my support base as it really helps me to know that there are other people out there feeling the same things and experiencing the same trials. No-one knows better how it can feel than someone who has also been through the same thing.”
“I find it hard to express to you what a big difference these sessions have made. I have been on the journey out of depression for about two-three years and you have given me the spark that has really made the difference. You have given me the hand that's pulling me out and you have helped me to see that I can be different.”