Parents and Carers

This page is designed to support parents and carers with information and resources. 

Whitehorse Council Youth Workers are available to provide online or phone support to young people, parents and carers which are delivered via a 30min session and will focus on practical wellbeing strategies, general support and referral (NB support is not suitable for acute or crisis care).
Session bookings can be made Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm by emailing youth.worker@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or calling 9898 9340.

To find out more on how to access our video chat, contact Youth Workers: 
Phone: 9898 9340
Email: youth.worker@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Facebook: facebook.com/YouthConneXions

Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia is a provider of specialist family and relationship services.  They offer a range of counselling services which are available on-line and over the phone. See the pdf file below for Relationships Australia's tip sheet for managing stress and anxiety during COVID-19.

Prevention United
A free online parenting program for parents and guardians of a teenager aged 12 to 17 who live in Australia. Protect your teenager's mental wellbeing and reduce their risk of experiencing depression and anxiety. 

Raising Children Network
Raisingchildren provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts.

“Reach Out” Parents Discussion Forum
A Parents peer-support communities are there to share stories and connect with others about how they are feeling, exchange wellbeing and self-care tips and support those struggling with their mental health during this crisis.

ParentLine - 13 22 89
Parentline is a phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old. We offer confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.

ParentZone
A Regional Parenting Service, which works to promote the independence and healthy development of families with children aged 0-18 years.

ParentZone have a parenting consultation line which parents/carers can contact on 9721 3646 or at parentzone.errd@anglicarevic.org.au for limited one on one parenting support, resources and information. They can also offer one on one consultation through video conferencing! This service is Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm but is not always manned. Messages are normally returned within 1 business day.

Eastern Health CYMHS

CYMHS is one of thirteen Specialist Mental Health Services in Victoria for children and young people up to the age of 24 years who are displaying symptoms of psychiatric disorder or severe emotional and behavioural disturbance.

The service is available to families who live in the central and outer eastern region of Melbourne.

The aim of Eastern Health CYMHS is to reduce the extent and severity of mental health problems in infants, children and young people in our community.

As CYMHS is a specialist mental health service, it is recommended that the following supports are considered before contacting us:

  • visiting your GP
  • speaking with the school welfare coordinator
  • contacting community support services

When speaking with one of our Access clinicians about making a referral, a number of questions will be asked in detail to understand current concerns, what is needed and who can best provide it. This may mean offering alternative referral options to CYMHS. If CYMHS is identified as the best service, an Initial Consultation will generally be offered to the child/young person and their family, at one of our community clinics. 

An initial Consultation (IC) is a single session that aims to develop a greater understanding of the issues and to develop with the child/young person and their family, a clear plan about how CYMHS will work together with them to best meet the mental health needs of the child or young person.

Supporting young people and their use of technology 

eSafety Commissioner 
The eSafety Commissioner has created a tip sheet for parents and carers to support children to stay safe online. Download the tip sheet.

“Reach Out” Supporting your teenager and technology resources
ReachOut Australia have created some great resources for parents to support their young people with their usage of technology

Some top tips on what you can do to help your teenager manage technology