One of the best protective factors for robust mental health is being connected to your community.

Strong links and engagement supports and enriches your life across the lifespan. Below are some community links in the local area but community can stretch far wider than this – communities can form from common interests, beliefs and passions. You might find something that catches your interest!

This is a work in progress so keep checking! You may like to offer some suggestions – just drop us an email.

City of Yarra – Community Links

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/community/

Below is list of City of Melbourne’s Useful Links

For older people:

https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/ForOlderPeople/Pages/HealthyAgeingResources.aspx

For people with disabilities:

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/DisabilityServices/UsefulLinks/Pages/UsefulLinks.aspx

For youth:

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/ForYouth/Pages/YouthSupportServices.aspx

We’ll keep on adding to this list but here is a start!

• Smiling Mind – This app offers free guided meditations for children, youth and adults.  Available on iTunes and Google Play.  Check out their website for further details.

• Brainy App – developed by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Bupa Health Foundation  to raise awareness of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, and to help you be brain healthy.  Available through Apple and Android devices. Check out their website for further details.

• Suicide Prevention Apps – developed by Thornbury psychologist,  Deli Baker.  Available on Apple and Android devices for $1.99 each there are 3 apps: R U Suicidal – A video-based, interactive self-help tool for anyone having thoughts about suicide; Is S/O Suicidal? –  A video-based, interactive tool for anyone who thinks someone else may be having suicidal thoughts and wants to help and Did S/O Suicide? – A video-based, interactive self-help tool for anyone who has lost someone to suicide.  Check out her website for further details.

• The Check-in App – Available on Apple and Android devices the free app aims at giving young people the skills to have conversations with their friends about mental health. It also enables Beyond Blue to make sure young people look after their own mental health, by giving them links to services or tips on who to talk to and how they can debrief after having difficult conversations  Check out the Beyond Blue website for more details.

• Daisy App – developed by 1800RESPECT Daisy connects women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, domestic and family violence to services in their state and local area. Daisy provides women with an easy way to find a wide range of services.

• iMatter and Live Free Apps – two apps developed by Doncare, in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs that are designed to raise awareness and resources around domestic violence.  Check out their website for more information on the two apps.
  • The iMatter App is designed to build resilience, to educate about disrespect and violence and to promote conversations among young people about healthy relationship behaviour. The App includes motivational images and quotes, blog articles, videos, quizzes, a private MyMatters section. Content can be shared or saved to the user’s phone. The App also provides contact information to national support services and other useful Apps/Websites.  It is available through Apple and Android devices and you can follow iMatter on facebook and twitter.
  • Life Free has been designed to increase your understanding of domestic violence and provide information about warning signs and how to get help. Currently available on through iTunes and in development for Android devices.  You can also follow Life Free on Facebook.

Together with good food and plenty of sleep, exercise is one of the Holy Trinity of good mental and physical health. There are many ways to get involved from running marathons to chair exercises. Even 1/2 hour a day can make an enormous difference.

The wonderful Park Street cycling and walking path is close to the Keeley Lane Centre – as is the ever beautiful Princes Park. It’s pet friendly as well.

Walking is the best medicine –  Hippocrates

Buzzfeed suggest 21 walks around Melbourne that will take your breath away…

Or you might prefer to ride!

Map My Ride lists an amazing 4034 bike routes so there will be something for every level.