ACT Government Health and Community Services

02/04/2026

If you’re experiencing stress or worries right now, support is always available.

The following services are free and here to help.

🔹 Access Mental Health (24/7 crisis support): www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/access-mental-health

🔹 Su***de Call Back Service: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

🔹 Lifeline: www.lifeline.org.au

🔹 Beyond Blue: www.beyondblue.org.au

🔹 Kids Helpline: www.kidshelpline.com.au

🔹 Safe Haven: http://bit.ly/4lXIbAa

🔹 MindMap: www.mindmap.act.gov.au

🔹 13YARN: https://www.13yarn.org.au/

In an emergency, always call 000.

01/04/2026

April is World Autism Understanding Month

Understanding starts with you. So, what can you do?

- Listen to Autistic voices

- Make meaningful changes for inclusion

- Share what you learn with others

Head to aspect.org.au/waum to take the first step! # waum2026

And remember Canberra’s Child Development Service do free Autism assessments. You need a referral from a paediatrician and the child must be under 12 years old.

Read more here: https://www.act.gov.au/community/families/child-development-service/get-an-autism-assessment-for-your-child

31/03/2026

🎨 Our youngest artists have big stories to tell!

Students from Preschool to Year 2 are invited to create original 2D artworks for the Reconciliation Week Art Exhibition.

Artworks should reflect the theme All In, exploring:

🌿 respect

🤝 inclusion

👐 taking action together

All selected works will be displayed during Reconciliation Week as a celebration of creativity, community spirit and children’s perspectives on reconciliation.

📅 Entries close Friday 1 May 2026

👉 Find out how to enter: bit.ly/recday-schools

30/03/2026

In the ACT, more than half of trans and gender‑diverse people say they avoid doing things they love because they fear how they will be treated. *

It’s Trans Day of Visibility.

Everyday experiences with others matter.

With small actions you can help. 🫶

*Learn more about the facts and find support organisations here: https://www.act.gov.au/campaigns/the-unsaid

This is "Montage 60" by ACT Government on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

30/03/2026

Love all things Mid-century? 😍

Don’t miss the upcoming Canberra and Region Heritage Festival. The theme this year celebrates Mid-century: innovation, change and optimism!

There’s bicycle architecture tours, a BoatFest withmusic on the lake, cemetery tours, First Nations workshops, art stuff, food things, steam trains, space station walks - and more! 🚴 ⛴ 🍕🎥👀

Have a gander at the program here: 👉👉👉

https://www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage/heritage-festival

The festival runs from 11 April – 10 May – see you there! ⏰

27/03/2026

The central access point for Housing ACT Services was vandalised recently and threats were made to staff.

Housing ACT is making necessary safety upgrades to the Belconnen Shopfront. This is to make it safer for Housing ACT Staff and the community.

Until then the Belconnen Shopfront will be closed to the public.

For your next appointment or any enquiries, please phone: 1800 950 255.

Our full list of contacts is here: https://www.act.gov.au/housing-planning-and-property/public-housing/contact-housing-act

Or you can email Housing Customer Service: Housing.CustomerService@act.gov.au

26/03/2026

Death cap mushrooms are growing in the ACT. They are one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms and should never be eaten.

It can be hard to tell the difference between a death cap and an edible mushroom, even for experienced foragers. Don’t risk it.

❌ Do not touch, pick or eat wild mushrooms – all parts of death cap mushrooms are poisonous. Eating even a small amount of a death cap mushroom can kill you.

❌ Do not cook, soak, peel, freeze or dry foraged mushrooms – death cap mushrooms can’t be made safe to eat.

❌ Keep children and pets away from wild mushrooms.

🚨 If you think you might have eaten a death cap mushroom, you must seek immediate medical attention at a hospital emergency department or call Emergency Triple Zero (000).

🚨 Do not wait for symptoms to occur. The chances of survival increase when treatment is started early. If possible, safely take any remaining mushroom to hospital with you.

You can report death cap mushrooms growing in a public area by:

💻Reporting it online at www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/city-services/fix-my-street

📞calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Learn more at https://www.act.gov.au/environment/animals-and-plants/death-cap-mushrooms

26/03/2026

🎶 Calling all young ACT musicians!

Entries are now open for the 2026 Reconciliation Day Music Competition.

We’re inviting students in Years 7–12 to showcase their singing, songwriting and instrumental talents. Submit an original song or a cover inspired by the theme 'All In' — a reminder that we all have a role to play in reconciliation.

Finalists will:

✨ receive mentoring from Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation

✨ build performance confidence and creative skills

✨ connect with other young artists

And the winner?

🎤 They’ll perform live on stage at the 2026 Reconciliation Day event!

📅 Entries close Monday 27 April 2026

👉 Find out how to enter: https://www.act.gov.au/community/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/reconciliation-day/reconciliation-day-student-competitions-and-art-exhibition

23/03/2026

UPDATE!

The central access point for Housing ACT Services has been vandalised and will not re-open this week.

Please phone: 1800 950 255 if you have an urgent matter.

Or you can find the list of contacts here: https://www.act.gov.au/housing-planning-and-property/public-housing/contact-housing-act

Or email Housing Customer Service: Housing.CustomerService@act.gov.au

23/03/2026

Sick of all the not-so-great news? 😣

Let this local young person lift your spirits! 🥰

Have you already heard of Canberra’s Peter Harris?

He’s the 2025 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year, he’s the Vice President of the Winnunga Warriors Basketball Club and is working closely with the ACT Youth Advisory Council on the ACT Youth Assembly. 👈

Peter received a lot of love from you on this channel in earlier posts, and it’s easy to see why – he’s ‘just a young person’ (his own words) but he’s developing a powerful voice for Indigenous youth in our community.

He’s an all-round nice person – just don’t expect to beat him on the basketball court! 🏀

Watch the video and see for yourself. 🎥👀

22/03/2026

The central access point for Housing ACT Services has been vandalised overnight and will not open today.

Please phone: 1800 950 255 if you have an urgent matter.

Or you can find the list of contacts here: https://www.act.gov.au/housing-planning-and-property/public-housing/contact-housing-act

Or email Housing Customer Service: Housing.CustomerService@act.gov.au

20/03/2026

Recently, there was a confirmed case of measles in the ACT.

We’re also seeing more measles cases across NSW, VIC and SA compared to last year.

Measles isn’t something to take lightly - it’s highly contagious and can lead to serious complications.

The good news is, it’s a vaccine‑preventable disease, so it’s important to make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

To be fully vaccinated, you need 2 doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine) at least 4 weeks apart.

Government-funded vaccines are available for:

✅ Infants aged at least 6 months travelling overseas (further doses are required from 12 months of age)

✅ 12 and 18 month olds through their scheduled vaccinations

✅ Adolescents and adults born during or since 1966 without documented evidence of 2 valid doses.

Vaccinations are available from GPs or pharmacies (for over 5 year olds). A consultation fee may apply.

If you are unsure of your vaccination status speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more at act.gov.au/health and search ‘Measles’.