Changes to our counselling service
At the end of November, we changed the way we counsel people who want to engage with our donor conception registers and people affected by applications to our registers.
VARTA’s donor conception registers have grown rapidly and now hold the details of over 34,000 people. The registers continue to grow, and given that more people are making applications to our registers, we want to provide timely, personalised information to people about their rights and responsibilities under Victorian law. This includes information about the implications of engaging with our registers, so people can make informed decisions that are right for them.
Legal counsellors at VARTA now provide information counselling to both applicants to our registers and those that are the subject of an application. These discussions will include information about each parties legal rights, responsibilities and options, with the goal of allowing each person to make an informed decision about whether they want to continue with the application process.
VARTA will also arrange and fund a limited number of therapeutic counselling sessions with a qualified external counsellor. This will be provided in circumstances in which applicants or subjects feel distressed throughout the application process.
We've made these changes to ensure that VARTA can provide sustainable, specialist services to people who want to engage with our registers, including donors, donor-conceived people, parents of donor-conceived people, and their families. We also want to ensure the most vulnerable people VARTA engages with under the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 receive timely support for their unique needs.
Helpful support services:
|
Support service |
Description |
Contact information |
|
Donor Conceived Australia (DCA) |
DCA offers online and in-person support networks. DCA also offers referrals for donor-conceived people seeking medical, legal, or other support to professionals with a lived experience of donor conception and experience working in this area. |
|
|
The Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association (ANZICA) |
ANZICA members include clinical psychologists, psychologists and social workers experienced in helping people cope with the emotional aspects of fertility treatment. |
https://www.fertilitysociety.com.au/professional-groups-anzica-australia-new-zealand/ |
|
General Practitioner (GP) |
For further advice and support, connect with your GP and talk about a mental health care plan. This plan can help you and your doctor work out what services are best for you. You may be entitled to receive a Medicare rebate on up to 20 sessions with a psychologist. |
|
|
Beyond Blue |
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, provides support and information on Anxiety, Depression and Suicide |
1300 224 636 |
|
Relationships Australia |
Relationship support and counselling services for individuals, families and communities. |
1300 364 277 |
|
Carers Australia |
Family carer support and counselling. |
1800 242 636 |
|
Lifeline |
A national 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for all ages, featuring an online chat service. |
13 11 14 |
|
Yarning Safe 'N' Strong |
Free, confidential telephone support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. |
1800 959 563 |
|
Kids Helpline |
Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. |
1800 551 800 |
|
Mensline Australia |
A national 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for men. |
1300 789 978 |
|
Griefline |
Grief and Loss support and information, accessible via phone and online. Their Helpline operates 7 days a week from 6am - midnight |
1300 845 745 |
|
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
|
A specialist bereavement counselling/support service for individuals, children and families, based in Victoria. Also provides national COVID-19 bereavement support |
1800 642 066 |
|
Suicide Call Back Service |
A national 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for those feeling suicidal and those caring for someone who is suicidal, or those affected by suicide. |
1300 659 467 |
|
Support After Suicide
|
Provides free counselling, support groups and online resources to those bereaved by suicide, including adults and children. |
(03) 9421 7640 https://jss.org.au/what-we-do/mental-health-and-wellbeing/support-after-suicide/#SAS |