Distress Support Service - Yurri Mulana

If you’re over the age of 18 and feeling distressed, you can access free, practical support without having to go to a mental health, general health or emergency service.

What is distress?

Distress can take a wide variety of forms. It can be an unpleasant emotion, feeling, thought or behaviour, including:

• feeling overwhelmed, worried or helpless
• feeling sad or unmotivated to do the things that you used to enjoy
• feeling frustrated or 'on edge'
• feelings of self-doubt or low self-esteem
• withdrawal from family or friends
• physical symptoms like headaches, tension, increased tiredness, and changes to your eating or sleeping habits.

About the service 

The Distress Support Service offers a welcoming, inclusive and compassionate space to people from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities and backgrounds.

Staff in our short-term support team have their own lived experience of distress and understand what you are going through.

A peer practitioner will work with you over two-three weeks to help you figure out the causes of your distress and support you to find ways to manage it. 

Your peer practitioner can also connect you with longer term supports and/or services that can help you with some of the underlying causes of distress. Distress Support Service – Yurri Mulana is committed to providing culturally sensitive and appropriate support for people who identify as First Nations. 

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you can talk to a First Nations support worker. Yarn with someone who gets it, whether you’re looking for cultural connection or support outside of the community.

How do I access the service

You can visit a Community Engagement Point – see below – and talk to one of the helpful staff members.

They can refer you to the service. If you confirm you want the referral, someone from the Distress Support Service short-term support team will get in touch with you within one business day.

If you choose not to accept a referral that day, you can still access the Distress Support Service at a later stage.

Or you can refer yourself by clicking here and completing the form.

You can also talk directly to someone from the friendly team at the Distress Support Service at: 
email: [email protected]
tel: (03) 4836 1100

Community Engagement Points in Shepparton

People experiencing distress in Greater Shepparton can connect with the Short-term Service via a Community Engagement Point.

• Primary Care Connect, 399 Wyndham St, Shepparton
• South Shepparton Community Centre, 290 Archer St, Shepparton
• MEAC, 23 Alexandra St, Mooroopna
• Tatura Community House, 12-16 Casey St, Tatura
• Murchison Neighbourhood House, 23 Impey St, Murchison

How much does the service cost?

The service is free, and you do not need a Medicare card.

How long can the service be accessed for?

Up to 3 weeks.

What are the opening hours?

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Who provides support

Mind Australia is one for the largest providers of community managed mental health in Australia. We have been providing mental health and wellbeing support to people, and their families, friends and carers, for more than 45 years.

Primary Care Connect (PCC) is a trusted service provider in the Shepparton region, offering local, quality services focusing on a range of health and wellbeing matters for over 30 years.  

If you are experiencing increasing distress or suicidal thoughts the following supports are available:

• Suicide Line, Phone: 1300 651 251
• Rainbow Door, Phone: 1800 729 367
• Yarning Safe’N’Strong, Phone: 1800 959 563
• Suicide Call Back Service, Phone: 1300 659 467
• Lifeline Australia, Phone: 13 11 14

If you are in a situation that is harmful or life-threatening, contact emergency services immediately on Triple Zero (000).

Other services in Shepparton that might be helpful

This service is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.

More information is available on the Better Health Channel.