Christine's Corner 

Mindfulness is very important to increase self-awareness to improve your Self-care and increase resiliency.

Brene Brown a world renowned researcher shares:

Mindfulness means maintaining a moment -by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them-without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, out thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.

Leaning into our vulnerability is essential as it leads to self -compassion. Being present and compassionate with ourselves is the gift we can extend to those in our care and those in our community.

Important Information about COVID-19 for families

This note provides links to selected information, advice and support relating to coronavirus, in English and other languages, provided by the Victorian and Australian Governments, and other sources.

If you Suspect You may have Coronavirus:

Call the dedicated hotline: 1800 675 398 (24 hours). 

If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.

Please use Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Information about Coronavirus and How to Prevent its Spread

About the Coronavirus Infection

Including its symptoms, how to reduce its spread, and where to obtain help and hospitals which provide assessment services for anyone who have the virus. Click here, or visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Reducing the Risk of Infection

Click here, or visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-transmission-reduction-measures

Restrictions on Movement Outside of the Home to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus

Click here, or visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-victoria

Videos about Coronavirus and How to Help Prevent its Spread

How Victorians can work together to respond to the coronavirus disease.

Click here, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJU_T9D60xU&feature=youtu.be

Videos presented by SBS on behalf of the Federal Government. Click here, for Part One, and here, for Part Two.

Videos about coronavirus in other languages are available: Click here, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/healthgovau/search?query=%22information+from+SBS%22

Support for Specific Issues and Segments of the Community

People with a Disability and their Carers

Medical advice, further support, and tips for keeping healthy for carers.

Click here, or visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/people-disability-and-carers-home-isolation-coronavirus

Carers Advisory Line on 1800 514 845 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm) Click here, or visit: https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/

Phone NDIA on 1800 800 110 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm) to request a plan review. Click here, or visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/contact

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Physical distancing, access to food and essential supplies, and other advice, emphasising cultural respect. Click here, or visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-information-aboriginal-communities

Parents

Play, Health and Learning at Home - About play, learning, safety and health, for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school-age children, as well as services for parents.

Click here, or visit: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/default.aspx

Fun activities for parents and children at home

Click here, or visit: https://newywithkids.com.au/family-fun-social-distancing-coronavirus/

Learning from Home for Children

Learning resources for children during school closures. Click here, or visit: https://www.education.com/resources/

Advice about learning from home, in community languages: Click here, or visit: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/learning/Pages/home-learning-translated-advice.aspx

Services for Parents

Victorian Government services for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school-age children.

Click here, or visit: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/services-for-parents/Pages/default.aspx

Crisis Support for Parents

Parent Helpline: 13 22 89  (8am to midnight 7 days a week)

International Students

Information and support for international students.

Click here or visit: https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/English/student-support

Else email international.students@dese.gov.au or phone 1300 981 621 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)

Information for Immigrants and Visa Holders

Immigration arrangements and obligations during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Click here, or visit: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

Entitlements to remain in Australia for visa holders

Arrangements for holders of various visa types. Available in community languages.

Click here, or visit: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/staying-australia

See also: ‘Information in other Languages’, further below

Health and Wellbeing, and Family Violence

Mental Health Resources: Ideas and resources to help people cope with stress

Advice and resources for supporting mental health: Click here, or visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19

Tips from the Red Cross to help individuals and families maintain wellbeing and manage isolation

Click here or visit: https://www.redcross.org.au/stories/covid-19

‘Taking care of yourself in isolation’ - a simple series of practical tips. Click here, or visit: https://enliven.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Taking-care-of-yourself-in-isolation.pdf

Advice from Dementia Australia for people caring for someone with dementia at home

Click here, or visit: https://www.dementia.org.au/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-helpsheets/tips-for-people-living-with-dementia

LifeLine: Ph: 131 114  (24 hours)  Click here, or visit: www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: Help with depression or anxiety. Ph: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours)

Click here, or visit: www.beyondblue.org.au

Kids Help Line: Ph: 1800 551 800. (24 hours)   Email and web counselling: kidshelp.com.au

Advice and Support for Family Violence

Advice about family violence and sources of help.

Click here, or visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-support-f