MI Helpline is a free and confidential telephone service providing information, referrals and support to people with mental illnesses, their families and friends and to professionals, students and general public across Victoria.
The MI Helpline is available from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. The Helpline accepts reverse charge calls. Callers can request an immediate call back. If all the lines are busy, callers can leave a message with their contact details, and the Helpline will call back as soon as possible.
MI Helpline is a unique peer-based service staffed by trained volunteers who have an experience of mental illness either directly themselves or via a family member or close friend. This direct experience along with training and supervision means that callers are able to speak with people who have a deeper understanding of mental illness and what it is like to navigate the mental health system in Victoria.
The MI Helpline’s trained volunteers can provide callers with the following:
- A listening ear that is empathic, respectful and non-judgmental
- Up-to-date accurate information about mental illnesses, treatment and recovery
- Strategies and approaches for managing your illness or supporting a friend or family member with a mental illness
- Assistance with recognising individual strengths and resources
- Linking people into support and education programs and local communities
- Information about, and referral to MI Fellowship Victoria programs and other services.