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Mental health helplines

7-minute read

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Key facts

  • There are many organisations in Australia that provide mental health support and education over the phone.
  • If you are dealing with a mental health problem, there are helplines available for people with different backgrounds and needs.
  • There are also helplines available if you are a carer or loved one of someone with a mental health problem.

There are many organisations in Australia that provide mental health support and education for:

You can read more about Australian mental health services, Mental health resources and where to get help.

Support for different types of mental health problems

If you need support for suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis:

If you need support with depression or anxiety:

  • Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. If you or a loved one need help, you can call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or chat online.
  • MindSpot is a free service for people with anxiety, stress or depression. It can provide online assessment and treatment. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 614 434.
  • Medicare Mental Health gives advice and can connect you to local mental health services from 8:30am to 5:00pm on weekdays, except on public holidays. Call 1800 595 212.
View this information in a poster: 24/7 Mental health helplines.

If you need support with eating disorders and body image related issues:

If you have a complex mental health issue:

  • SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals.
  • Blue Knot Foundation Helpline is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It provides support, education and resources for the families and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm.

If you need support for substance misuse or addiction:

Support for people with different backgrounds or needs

If you're feeling lonely:

  • FriendLine supports anyone who's feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. Visit their website to register your phone number to receive friendly phone calls from trained volunteers. You can also use their online chat on Mondays, 5pm to 8pm, or Wednesdays, 1pm to 4pm. All conversations with FriendLine are confidential and anonymous.

If you are a man who needs support:

If you are a child, teenager or young person who needs mental health support:

  • Kids Helpline is Australia's only free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 55 1800.
  • headspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, or chat online.
  • ReachOut offers a free, anonymous online chat with a trained support worker for young people aged 16 – 25. The chat is available Monday to Thursday, 3pm to 8pm, and Friday 11:30am to 4:30pm.

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person:

  • 13YARN provides 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. Call 13 92 76.
  • Thirrili provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the aftermath of suicide or other fatal critical incidents. Call 1800 805 801, 24 hours/7 days a week.
  • Brother to Brother is a 24/7 crisis line for Aboriginal men experiencing family violence. Call 1800 435 799.

If you are a member of the LGBTIQ+ community:

If you are pregnant or need parenting support:

  • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 7:30pm, and Saturday, 9am to 4pm. Call 1300 726 306.
  • ForWhen connects new and expecting parents or carers to perinatal and infant mental health services and supports in their local area. The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm. Call 1300 24 23 22.
  • Dads In Distress is a peer support for separated dads. Call 1300 853 437.

If you are a veteran:

  • Open Arms provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF. Call 1800 011 046.

If you are a farmer or worker who needs support:

If you are grieving and need support:

If you need support for sexual, domestic or family violence:

If you need support for financial difficulty:

If you speak a language other than English:

If you are deaf or have a hearing impairment:

  • the National Relay Service 24/7 can provide free and confidential help when calling a mental health helpline. Call 0423 677 767. They can also provide Video Relay calls from 7am to 6pm on Monday to Friday, and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays, except on public holidays.

Support for carers, family members and friends

If you are supporting or caring for someone with a mental health problem:

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 you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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