Mental health resources
If you or someone close to you is experiencing an emergency, or is at immediate risk of harm, call triple zero (000). To talk to someone now, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Key facts
- Good mental health allows you to cope with life's challenges.
- Most people will struggle with their mental health at some point in their lives.
- If you are struggling with your mental health or have a mental illness, there are resources and support services available.
What is mental health?
The term 'mental health' refers to your sense of wellbeing. Good mental health allows you to cope with life's challenges. Poor mental health can make it difficult to cope with day-to-day life.
Why is good mental health important?
Your mental health affects how you think, feel and behave.
Looking after your mental health is as important as looking after your physical health. Good mental health helps you:
- appreciate and enjoy life
- deal with life's challenges
- form and maintain positive relationships
- reach your potential
Many people experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. But if things don't seem to get better, it could be a sign of a mental illness.
What things can affect mental health?
A number of factors can negatively affect your mental health, such as:
- prolonged stress, including work-related stress
- physical health problems
- ageing
- negative self-talk and low self-esteem
- biological factors, such as genetics and hormones
- feeling isolated
- ongoing poor diet
Other experiences that can impact your mental health include:
- bullying and harassment
- alcohol and drug abuse
- financial worries or stress
- family or relationship issues
- grief and loss
If you're having a difficult time, it doesn't necessarily mean that your mental health is in danger. But it's worth talking to someone for advice and support to help you get back on track.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
How can I improve my mental health and wellbeing?
Ways to support and maintain good mental health include:
- exercising regularly
- eating a healthy diet
- getting enough sleep
- if you're using drugs or alcohol, cutting down or stopping
- talking to and socialising with your friends and family
- relaxing in ways that suit you
Although you can take steps to nurture your mental health, it's very important to seek help and support when you need it. Just like physical illnesses, mental illnesses need to be treated to get better.
Mental health concerns affect many people across all ages, cultures and walks of life.
If your mental health does not improve, see your doctor. They can organise a mental health plan for you. Your doctor can also refer you the appropriate specialists for treatment.
There are many different Australian Mental Health Services available.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
Where can I get help if I am feeling suicidal?
If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
If you are in a personal crisis or are feeling suicidal, contact:
- Lifeline — call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online
- Suicide Call Back Service (all ages) — call 1300 659 467
Where can I find support for mental health issues?
There are resources available online, in person, or over the phone that can provide mental health information, support and advice.
Self-esteem
Lack of self-esteem and confidence can affect your mental health.
You can find more advice on improving self-esteem on these websites:
Relationship issues
Relationship issues with partners, friends and family members can all affect your mental health.
You can get online support and self-help programs through:
- Beyond Blue — peer support forums, including one on relationship and family issues
- Breakup Shakeup — a mobile phone app developed by ReachOut
- e-couch — online programs developed by the Australian National University
Support can also be found by calling:
- Mensline Australia — 1300 78 99 78
- 1800Respect — 1800 737 732
- Relationships Australia — 1300 364 277
Bullying and harassment
Online resources for bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault support include:
Work or study stress
Struggles with work or studying can affect your mental health. You can find resources, support, and self-help activities on the Headspace website.
You can also find advice at Headspace on mental health in the workplace.
Black Dog Institute also offers a range of mental health training programs for the workplace.
Many workplaces offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a confidential support for their employees. It might be worth checking to see if your workplace has this.
Often places of study like schools, universities and TAFE colleges have their own support services. It would be worth checking these out. Or try these resources:
Financial stress
Problems with money can cause stress and have a negative impact on your mental health. There are services and resources available to:
- help you with money management
- provide advice and aid in times of financial difficulty
- help you access a possible crisis payment
Online resources include:
If you are struggling financially, you can also access support with needs like food and housing through different organisations such as:
Substance abuse
Your mental health can be impacted by the use of drugs or alcohol.
To speak with someone about substance abuse and mental health, you can call:
You can find online support at:
- Counselling Online
- Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
- Narcotics Anonymous Australia
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing on how to quit smoking
Grief and loss
As you move through life, you are likely to experience grief and loss. This can impact your mental health. You can find support through:
Where can I find support for mental health conditions?
Support and information on mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can be found online.
Depression and anxiety
Personality disorders
Resources for personality disorders are available:
- National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder Australia (NEABPD-Australia)
- Australian BPD Foundation
- ReachOut — support service for young people
- SANE Australia
Trauma and post-traumatic mental health
- Phoenix Australia
- Blue Knot Foundation — recovery from complex trauma
Eating disorders
Support and resources for eating disorders are available:
You can also call the Butterfly Foundation helpline on 1800 33 4673.
Additional resources
For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.
If you want general mental health support and information, you can visit:
- the Black Dog Institute website for resources, support and self-help tools
- the SANE Australia website, or call on 1800 187 263
- the Beyond Blue website for resources and patient forums
Other languages
If you speak a language other than English, you can visit the Transcultural Mental Health Centre website. There, you can find translated mental health resources in over 40 languages.
Young people
If you are a young person who needs support, there are services available:
- ClearlyMe is an app designed for teens aged 12 to 17 years, providing coping strategies and tools to help with negative thinking, low mood and difficulties relaxing.
- ReachOut.com is a youth mental health service. Visit their website for online help.
- Headspace provides mental health support for those aged 12 to 25 years. Visit their website, call them on 1800 650 890, or make an appointment at your nearest headspace centre.
- Kids Helpline is available for those aged 5 to 25 years. Visit their website or call them on 1800 55 1800.
Parents or guardians
There are mental health resources for parents, carers and guardians. You can:
- call PANDA on 1300 726 306
- visit the COPE website
- visit the Beyond Blue Relationship and family issues peer support forum
Older people
With ageing comes change in your life and physical health. This can impact your mental health. Learn more about older people and mental health.
If you are caring for an older person with a mental health condition, you can visit My Aged Care for support and information.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
You can visit the 13YARN website, or call on 13 92 76, for mental health support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
LGBTIQA+
If you are a member of the LGBTIQA+ community, you can visit:
- the Rainbow Door website to connect to different services
- the QLife Website to speak with someone online, or call on 1800 184 527
People living with disability
- Visit the Disability Gateway website for mental health support for people living with disabilities.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: August 2024
