Need Help?
If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000, visit your nearest hospital emergency department, or use any of these crisis helplines:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au(link is external)
- SANE Australia Helpline: 1800 18 SANE (7236) or sane.org(link is external)
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36 or beyondblue.org.au/forums(link is external)
- Black Dog Institute: blackdoginstitute.com.au(link is external)
- Headspace: 1800 650 850 or headspace.org.au(link is external)
- ReachOut: reachout.com(link is external)
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- 13YARN: 13 92 76
- Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic) Helpline: 1300 269 438
There are many resources you can refer to for information about mental illness. Helplines, websites and government mental health information services provide a range of services.
13YARN
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line funded by the Australian Government with the support of Lifeline and developed in collaboration with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. It is run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
13yarn.org.au
Australian Government: Head to Health
Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.
headtohealth.gov.au/
Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic) Helpline
The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic), funded by the Victorian Government, offers a range of services for people experiencing anxiety, OCD, depression, and other mental illnesses. Our main offering is the Anxiety and OCD Helpline, which provides support, information and referral to people with anxiety disorders and their families and carers, as well as to mental health care providers. The Helpline operates from 10am to 8.30pm Monday to Friday. Highly trained and dedicated volunteers respond to callers. Volunteers receive on-going support and supervision from Helpline Team Leaders, Helpline Supervisors, the Helpline Coordinator and other ARCVic Staff.
Helpline volunteers assist callers to understand and manage symptoms of anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental illness, to identify problems and barriers to recovery, to more effectively deal with the impact of their disorder on family and relationships, and to develop self-management skills. Volunteers may also provide appropriate and accurate information about mental health disorders and recommend evidence-based treatment interventions, as well as referral to professional, community and health services. Helpline: 1300 269 438 or 9830 0533.
https://www.arcvic.org.au//
Information and referral to relevant services for depression and anxiety related matters. Phone: 1300 22 46 36
www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute is a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/
Blue Knot Foundation Helpline (formerly Adults Surviving Child Abuse)
The Blue Knot Helpline provides information and short term counselling nationally via telephone for adults survivers of childhood trauma on 1300 657 380 and email helpline@blueknot.org.au 7 days a week 9am to 5pm AEST.
www.blueknot.org.au
Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly provides support for Australians who suffer from eating disorders and negative body image issues and their carers. For support with eating disorders or body image concerns, call Butterfly National Helpline Phone: 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673)
butterfly.org.au/
Carer Gateway
Are you one of the 2.5 million Australians who care for a loved one, friend or neighbour? Find out information about the support services available to you, on the Carer Gateway.
www.carergateway.gov.au
Friendline
FriendLine is for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. All conversations with FriendLine are casual and anonymous and our friendly volunteers are ready to talk about anything and everything.
Gambling Helpline
Starting to think gambling might be a problem? Find out about the signs of a problem and assess gambling issues and spending. Phone: 1800 858 858
http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/
Headspace
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. We help young people who are going through a tough time.
www.headspace.org.au/
Kids Help Line
Confidential and anonymous, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. Phone: 1800 55 18 00
www.kidshelp.com.au/
Lifeline
24 hour telephone counselling service. Phone: 13 11 14 or Text: 0477 13 11 14 6pm - midnight AEST
www.lifeline.org.au/
Mensline Australia
A dedicated service for men with relationship and family concerns. Phone: 1300 78 99 78
www.mensline.org.au/
Mindframe-Media
For media and resource information about suicide in Australia
mindframe.org.au/
MI Networks
Offering access to relevant, up-to-date information, peer support and connections to local community networks, Mi Networks members provide a personalised response to the needs of individuals living with mental illness, their carers, friends and family members. Phone: 1800 985 944
www.minetworks.org.au/
1800RESPECT
National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling services 24-hour online support for workers and professionals.Phone: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au/
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is Australia’s leading national provider of high quality, free and confidential counselling and support services for Australian veterans and their families. If you or someone you know needs support call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit www.openarms.gov.au.
PANDA - National Perinatal Depression Helpline
PANDA’s National Perinatal Depression Helpline, funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, provides vital support, information, referral and counselling to thousands of Australian parents and their families. Callers do not need to have a diagnosis of antenatal or postnatal depression to make contact with the Helpline, PANDA is keen to support any new parent struggling during pregnancy or after the birth of their baby, as well as their partner, family and friends. Phone: 1300 726 306 from Mon – Fri, 9am – 7.30pm (AEST/AEDT).
www.panda.org.au/
Parentline
Parent Line is a telephone service for parents and carers of children 0-18 in New South Wales. Phone: 1300 1300 52
www.parentline.org.au/
QLife
QLife provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Phone: 1800 184 527
qlife.org.au/
ReachOut.com
ReachOut.com is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service. ReachOut.com is an initiative of the Inspire Foundation, an Australian non-profit with a mission to help young people lead happier lives.
au.reachout.com/
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. Phone: 1300 364 277
http://www.relationships.org.au/
SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national charity helping all Australians affected by mental illness lead a better life – through campaigning, education and research. SANE conducts innovative programs and campaigns to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their family and friends. It also operates a busy Helpline and website, which have thousands of contacts each year from around Australia. Phone: 1800 187 263
http://www.sane.org/index.php
Stride Mental Health
Formerly known as Aftercare, we’ve been helping people feel better for over a century. Stride supports you in all stages of your mental health journey.
https://stride.com.au/
Listening Ear
Listening Ear is a free and confidential support service which provides Australians with a safe space to talk through problems. Serving the community for over 40 years, Listening Ear volunteers offer empathy and support without judgement. Whether you are troubled, lonely, or just feel like a chat, you can call Listening Ear . Available every day 9am to 9pm. Phone: 02 9477 6777
listeningear.org.au/