Mental Health Support

Mental health and wellbeing organisations

24/7 crisis lines

You can call these crisis lines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Emergency 000

If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Beyond Blue

Talk to a trained mental health professional any time of the day or night. Calls are confidential. They will listen, provide information and advice and point you in the right direction to seek further support.

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636
Open 24/7

Beyond Blue chat online
Open 1pm to midnight, 7 days a week

Beyond Blue – email

Lifeline

24-hour crisis support telephone service. Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Lifeline
131 114

Lifeline chat

Kids Helpline

A telephone counselling support line for children and young people ages 5 to 25 and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Kids Helpline
1800 551 800

NSW Mental Health Line

A mental health professional will answer your call about mental health concerns for you or someone you are concerned about, including children, teens, adults and older people.

Mental Health Line
1800 011 511

Suicide Call Back Service

National services that provides free 24/7 phone, video and online professional counselling to people who are affected by suicide.

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467

Aboriginal community

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue has helpful information and resources, including flyers and videos, for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Beyond Blue – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Butterfly – Every Body is Deadly

Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have eating or body image concerns. Resources include videos, fact sheets and posters.

Butterfly – Every Body is Deadly
Online chat
1800 33 4637
7 days a week, 8am to midnight  

Head to Health

Created by the Australian Government to provide information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families who have a lived experience of mental health issues. 
Head to Health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

iBobbly app

 A social and emotional wellbeing self-help app for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 15 years. iBobbly began as a partnership between Black Dog Institute, ALIVE & Kicking Goals! and Men’s Outreach Service Inc based in Broome, WA.

Download the iBobbly app from the Black Dog Insitute website

Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation

Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation was founded in 1980 to help all Aboriginal people:

  • who had been directly affected by past government policies
  • separated from their families and culture through forced removal, being fostered, adopted or raised in institutions.

It supports the healing journeys of those removed and delivers professional, culturally sensitive and confidential research, reunions and social, emotional and wellbeing services to those over the age of 18.

Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation
(02) 7227 1443
1800 624 332 (free call not available for mobiles) 

National Indigenous Postvention Service (NIPS)

The National Indigenous Postvention Service (CIPS) is a program of Thirrili that provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people postvention support and assistance, and support to individuals, families and communities affected by suicide or other trauma.

The call is answered by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander advocate. If the call goes to the message bank, leave your name and contact number and someone will call back as soon as possible.

Thirrili
1800 805 801
Open 24/7

Reimagine – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Hub

This Hub has resources about the NDIS for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live with a psychosocial disability. Resources include videos and learning activities for people who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Reimagine – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Hub

Yarn Safe

Yarn Safe has information for young people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. It is part of the Headspace website.
Yarn Safe

Your Room

Information to support Aboriginal people in reducing the harms caused by alcohol and drugs and to help our mob become healthier.

Your Room for Aboriginal people

Advocacy

See Mental health organisations and advocacy groups.

Alcohol and other drugs

Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service (ADIS)

ADIS provides phone counselling, support, referrals and information for people affected by alcohol or other drugs. Counsellors are trained to work with people concerned about their alcohol and drug use, as well as people concerned about their family or friends.

Sydney metropolitan: (02) 9361 8000
Regional and rural NSW: 1800 422 599
Open 24/7

Counselling Online

Online text-based counselling for people concerned about their drinking or drug use. The service is also available to concerned family members, relatives and friends.

Counselling Online
Open 24/7

Opioid Treatment Line

A telephone helpline providing opiate pharmacotherapy information (including methadone and buprenorphine), referrals, advice and a forum for pharmacotherapy concerns.

Opioid Treatment Line

1800 642 428
Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm

Your Room

The website is a great resource for information about alcohol and other drugs, including:

Carers and families

See alsoFamily and carer mental health support services and programs.

Carers Australia

Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families.

Carers Australia
1800 242 636

Carers Connection Line

If you are a family member, friend, or carer of someone with a mental illness, call the Carers Connection Line to receive information, referrals and support.

Mental Health Carers NSW
1300 554 660
(02) 9332 0777
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Carers NSW

Provides information, education and support for carers, including carer support groups.

Carers NSW
(02) 9280 4744
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)

The COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) national initiative develops information for parents, their family and friends in support of children and young people. This information complements online training courses developed by COPMI for professionals to support families either individually or through community services and programs.

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness

Young Carers Helpline

Gives young people tips on how to look after themselves and the person they are caring for.

Young Carers Network
1800 242 636

Children and young people

Bite Back

Promotes wellbeing and resilience in young people 12-18 years old through psycho-education, positive psychology and related approaches.

Bite Back

The BRAVE program

Online program to help children aged 8 to 12 and teenagers aged 13 to 17 with anxiety, based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

BRAVE-Online

CanTeen

Online, email and phone counselling and forums for people aged 12-24 years living with the impact of cancer.

CanTeen
1800 888 236

connectEDSpace

A website with tip sheets, news and useful links to help young people manage problems and issues such as bullying, relationships, stress and mental health, and conflict with parents.

connectEDSpace

eheadspace

A free service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.

eheadspace
1800 650 890
Open 9am – 1am

Kids Helpline

A free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling services for people aged 5 to 25. Helpful information on their website for children and young people, parents and carers, schools and teachers.

Kids Helpline
1800 551 800
Open 24/7

Kids Helpline Online Chat
Open 8am to 12am, 7 days a week

myCompass

Are you feeling the pressures of study, finding a job or starting a career? myCompass can help. It has an interactive self-help service that aims to promote resilience and wellbeing for people experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety and depression.

myCompass

ReachOut

Tools and support for young people ages 14–25, from everyday issues to tough times. Information on mental health, peer support forums and apps. ReachOut Next Step service for ages 18-25 recommends support options. ReachOut Parents provides information and support to “help parents help teens”.

ReachOut

Smiling Mind

Online and app based program to improve the wellbeing of young people through mindfulness meditation. Provides age-specific content for ages 7-11, 12-15, and 16-22.

Smiling Mind

Youth Beyond Blue

Information, online and phone counselling for young people 12 to 25 years old, who can get help from a trained mental health professionals 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Youth Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
Open 24/7

Chat online
Open 1pm – midnight

See also:

Childhood trauma

Blue Knot Helpline

The helpline has trained, experienced and trauma-informed male and female counsellors to support adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, their partners, family and friends, health professionals and workplaces.

Website: Blue Knot Foundation
Email: helpline@blueknot.org.au
Phone: 1300 657 380
Open Monday to Sunday, 9am – 5pm

COVID-19

Australian Government subsidised mental health support 

Information about how to access 10 additional Medicare subsidised psychological therapy sessions each calendar year.

Department of Health – Looking after your mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions

Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Call a trained counsellor 24/7 if you’re struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Information and advice on how to cope, isolation and connection, workplace and financial hardship, and how to support the mental health of others.

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
1800 512 348
24/7

COVID-19 aged care grief and trauma support services

The Australian Department of Health has a list of services that provide grief and trauma support for those living, working and caring in the aged care sector, who have been impacted by COVID-19.

COVID-19 aged care grief and trauma support services

Gidget Foundation COVID-19 support for expectant and new parents

 The Gidget Foundation has videos and fact sheets related to COVID-19 for new and expectant parents.

Head to Health

Head to Health was created by Australia’s Department of Health to provide trusted information and digital resources to help support mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. Helpful information includes:

  • maintaining good mental health
  • managing financial stress
  • how to access mental health services
  • how to talk to children about coronavirus
  • protecting the elderly.

Head to Health – Mental health and COVID-19

Head to Health – Pop Up services

Life in Mind

The Life in Mind website has a list of helpful and informative resources:

Disability and intellectual disability

Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Hubs

Two statewide Hubs can help people with intellectual or developmental disability access appropriate mental health care. One is for adults, and one is for children and teens.

Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Outreach Service for adults

Mental Health Intellectual Disability Hub at Sydney Children’s Hospital Network

Eating disorders

Butterfly Foundation

Online and phone counselling, information, and online support groups for people concerned about eating disorders, disordered eating, body image problems.

Butterfly Foundation
1800 334 673

Chat online
Open 8am to midnight

Email support
support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au
Open 8am to midnight

General mental health services

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
Open 24/7

Beyond Blue – email
Beyond Blue chat online
Open 1pm to midnight, 7 days a week

Black Dog Institute

The Black Dog Institute website contains information and resources for mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder.

Black Dog Institute

Head to Health

A digital mental health gateway created by the Australian Government, containing a range of trusted mental health services and resources. 

Head to Health

Mental Health Online

The website has information, an online psychological assessment, online self-guided treatment programs for anxiety, panic, OCD, PTSD, and depression for people 18 years old and older. The site also offers a free 12-week online program with free access to eTherapists.

Mental Health Online

MindSpot

MindSpot is a free service for Australian adults who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, stress, depression and low mood. They provide an online assessment and treatment course, or also help you find local services.

Mindspot
contact@mindspot.org.au
1800 61 44 34
Open Monday to Friday 8 am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 6pm.

myCompass

An interactive self-help service for young adults, adults and seniors that aims to promote resilience and wellbeing for people experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety and depression.

myCompass

SANE Australia

Talk to a mental health professional for information, guidance and referrals to manage your mental health concerns.

Sane – Get help
helpline@sane.org
1800 187 263
Open weekdays 10am – 10pm

WayAhead Mental Health Association NSW

Information and support for mental health consumers, their families and carers, and to the general public. The WayAhead Free Online Directory can help find accommodation, community organisations, emergency services, government assistance, information and support services and treatments in your local area.

WayAhead
Level 5, 80 William St, Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011
info@wayahead.org.au
(02) 9339 6000

WayAhead Mental Health Information Service 1300 794 991
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

WayAhead Anxiety Disorders Information Service 1300 794 992
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

LGBTIQ community

ACON

Provides information on health issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTIQ) people and offers a range of services including in the area of mental health and ageing.

ACON – mental health

Qlife

QLife phoneline and web chat provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ peer support and referral for people want to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

QLife

1800 184 527
Open 3pm to midnight, 7 days 

Men

MensLine Australia

To access MensLine Australia online counselling, you need to be:

  • a man with a relationship issue or a woman who is concerned about and seeking help for a man
  • for online chat you must be 15 years or over
  • for video chat you must be 18 years or over.

MensLine Australia
1300 78 99 78

Men’s Referral Service

Provides telephone counselling, information and referrals for men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues. The service also providers help to women (or other family members) who are experiencing violence or controlling behaviour by men.

Men’s Referral Service

1300 766 491

Multicultural community

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health

Mental health resources and personal stories translated in more than 30 languages.

Embrace

 

NSW Refugee Health Service 

The NSW Refugee Health Service aims to protect and promote the health of refugees and people of refugee-like backgrounds living in NSW. Offices are located in Liverpool, NSW, but there are clinics in Western and South Western Sydney.

NSW Refugee Health Service

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
(02) 9794 0770
SWSLHD-RefugeeHealth@health.nsw.gov.au

NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)

STARTTS’ services are free for people of any age who have survived torture or trauma or both and are refugees, asylum seekers, from refugee-like backgrounds.

STARTTS
02 9646 6800

Transcultural Mental Health Centre

The Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) works with health professionals and communities across New South Wales to support positive mental health for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Transcultural Mental Health Centre

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is a free interpreting service. It is run by the Department of Home Affairs.

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
131 450
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To pre-book phone interpreters, email: tis.prebook@homeaffairs.gov.au

Older people

Dementia Support Helpline

Provides support for the carers of people with dementia who have behavioural and psychological changes.

Dementia Support Australia
1800 699 799

Elder Abuse Helpline

If you witness, suspect or experience abuse, call the NSW Elder Abuse helpline. The website provides information, support and referrals.

NSW Elder Abuse Helpline
1800 628 221

National Dementia Helpline

The National Dementia Helpline is a free phone service that provides support to help you manage the impact of dementia and provides information about:

  • dementia and memory loss
  • how you may be able to reduce the risk of getting dementia
  • government support services (including My Aged Care, the Carer Gateway, Centrelink)
  • services in your area
  • free Dementia Kit

Dementia Australia
1800 100 500
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Dementia Australia Helpline web chat
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Perinatal and parenting

See also A guide for dads: Caring for your family during perinatal mental illness

COPE – Centre of Perinatal Excellence

This non-profit organisation’s website has high quality, practical information to help you work through all the emotional challenges of becoming and being a parent.

COPE

Gidget Foundation Australia

Gidget Foundation Australia is a not for profit organisation that supports expectant and new parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety. Their range of clinical treatment programs include individual psychological consultations via face to face or telehealth, group treatment and early intervention screening.

Gidget Foundation Australia

1300 851 758

contact@gidgetfoundation.org.au

Karitane’s mental health service

Provides education and support for mums and dads with children from birth to 5 years of age, including support with sleep and settling, establishing routines, feeding and nutrition, toddler behaviour and pre and post natal anxiety and depression.

Karitane
1300 227 464
(02) 9794 2350
Monday to Thursday 12.30pm – 9pm, 11pm – 6am
Friday 8am – 4.30pm
Saturday 9am – 3.30pm

Mum Mood Booster

An evidence-based online treatment to help new mothers experiencing postnatal depression or anxiety. Six interactive online CBT sessions tailored to users plus SMS support. Accessible from home or on mobile devices.

MumMoodBooster

Parent Line NSW

A phone counselling service for parents who need help or support and want to talk about a parenting issue. Trained counsellors provide confidential and non-judgmental advice to parents, carers or professionals.

Parent Line NSW
1300 1300 52
Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm
Saturday and Sunday  4pm – 9pm 

ParentWorks

A free online program for Australian parents and caregivers of children aged 2 to 16. It provides evidence-based parenting strategies to improve parenting skills, confidence and child behaviour.

ParentWorks

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) supports women, men and families affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. PANDA operates Australia’s only National Helpline for individuals and families affected by perinatal anxiety and depression.

PANDA
PANDA National Helpline
1300 726 306
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm

Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services

NSW Health Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services (PIMHS) are free for women, babies and families, including LGBTIQ families. Free advice and services are available:

  • before you get pregnant
  • during pregnancy
  • until the child turns 2 years old
  • if you’ve had perinatal mental health issues in the past
  • have other risk factors.

To get help, get a referral letter from your doctor or call the Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Raising Children

Informative, reliable, up-to-date information about parenting and health issues, from babies to teens, backed my experts and funded by the Australian government.

RaisingChildren.net.au

Raphael Services

St John of God Raphael Services help parents and families with perinatal anxiety and depression. Services including holistic, person-centred therapies to treat postnatal depression and anxiety. The service is located in Blacktown.

St John of God – Raphael Services
36-38 First Avenue, Blacktown, 2148
Raphael.blacktown@sjog.org.au
(02) 9839 0900
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm

SMS4dads

SMS4dads provides new fathers with information and connections to online services through their mobile phones. The text messages with tips, information and links to other services help fathers understand and connect with their baby and support their partner.

SMS4dads

Tresillian Family Care Centres

Provides guidance to new parents, a residential service, an outreach home-visiting service and support groups. Advice is also provided to parents through their phone service and through online support.

Tresillian
Parent Help Line
1300 272 736
Open Monday to Sunday, 7am to 11pm

Perinatal and parenting – LGBTQI

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia

The Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) supports Australians affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. PANDA operates a national Helpline for individuals and families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression.

PANDA
PANDA National Helpline
1300 726 306
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm

Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services

NSW Health Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services (PIMHS) are free for women, babies and families, including LGBTIQ families. Free advice and services are available:

  • before you get pregnant
  • during pregnancy
  • until the child turns 2 years old
  • if you’ve had perinatal mental health issues in the past
  • have other risk factors.

To get help, get a referral letter from your doctor or call the Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Rainbow Families

The mission of Rainbow Families is to build a community that fosters resiliency by connecting, supporting and empowering LGBTIQ+ families.

Raising Children

Raising Children is an Australian parenting website providing reliable information reviewed by experts.

Rainbow and same-sex families: services, resources and links

 

Rural community

Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health

The centre provides leadership in rural and remote mental health research. It runs the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program which helps to educate and connect people in rural areas with mental health support through projects, local and national partnerships, health information, tailored advice, workshops and short courses. They do not provide emergency services.

Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
Bloomfield Hospital, Forest Road, Orange NSW 2800
ramhp@newcastle.edu.au
(02) 6363 8444

Lifeline – rural mental health

Information for people who live and work in regional, rural or remote parts of Australia.

Lifeline – rural mental health

Suicide prevention

    • If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, help is available.
    • Tell someone about what you are thinking, even at the earliest signs.
    • Please contact one of these services below or speak to your General Practitioner.
    • If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital or Emergency Department.

 

Beyond Blue

Talk to a trained mental health professional. Completely confidential.

Beyond Blue
1300 22 46 36
Open 24/7

Beyond Blue chat online
Open for chat from 1pm to 12am (AEST) every day

Kids Helpline

A free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

Kids Helpline
1800 551 800
Open 24/7

Kids Helpline Online Chat
Open 8am to 12am, 7 days a week

Lifeline

24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Lifeline
13 11 14
Open 24/7

Lifeline Crisis Support online chat
Open 24/7

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia
1300 78 99 78

NSW Mental Health Line

Talk to a mental health professional.

Mental Health Line
1800 011 511
Open 24/7 

QLife

A national counselling and referral service for the LGBTI community.

QLife

1800 184 527
Open 3pm to midnight

Safe Havens

A Safe Haven is a place you can go to if you’re distressed or having suicidal thoughts. A safe place where you can talk to a peer-support worker or a mental health professional or just hang out and listen to music. Find the nearest Safe Haven location.

Suicide Call Back Service

A nationwide service that provides professional phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Open 24/7

Suicide attempt support and aftercare

Aftercare – Way Back Support Service

Aftercare is a free support service for people who’ve recently attempted suicide. For up to three months you can get support in your recovery, including creating a safety plan and counselling. The service is available in the Newcastle-Hunter Valley, Murrumbidgee and North Coast NSW. Find out how  you can access Aftercare.

Youth Aftercare

Youth Aftercare is a support service for children and teens and young people aged 25 and under, after suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempt. The service is currently only available in Blacktown in Western Sydney and in Coffs Harbour in the Mid North Coast. Find out how to access the Youth Aftercare service.

StandBy – post-suicide support service

If you are affected by someone’s suicide, you may feel grief, guilt, anger and sadness. You could be a friend, family member, witness or first responder. You can get free post-suicide support including counselling. You can meet face to face or talk over the phone

StandBy – Support After Suicide service
standby@socialfutures.org.au
1300 727 247
Open 24/7

Veterans

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling

Open Arms counsellors and staff understand veteran and military culture, providing support to improve mental health and wellbeing, including help with anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, sleep difficulties and substance abuse. Free and confidential counselling and group programs.

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling
1800 011 046

Women

See also Perinatal and parenting

Beyond Blue

Understanding the factors that affect women’s mental health and recognising the symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicide can help you to recognise them in yourself and others.

Beyond Blue – Women
Beyond Blue – Pregnancy and new parents
Beyond Blue – email
Beyond Blue chat online
Open 11am to midnight, 7 days a week


Beyond Blue support line

open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

1300 22 4636

Women’s Health Centres NSW

Women’s Health NSW is an association of state-wide women’s health centres and specialist women’s centres. All centres are non-government, community based, feminist services that provide choices for women to determine their individual health needs.

Women’s Health Centres – locations