There are many different mental health services in Australia. These services are provided by government and the private sector. They can be face-to-face, online or by telephone.

Understanding how these services work and fit together can be daunting. Here is a summary of the different types of mental health services and how to access them.

Emergency mental health care

A mental health crisis is when someone may be thinking of hurting themselves or others. A crisis is an emergency.

If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, call triple zero (000).

If you're in crisis and need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. This service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis can call 13YARN on 13 92 76. This service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ambulance

Ambulance services provide emergency care to people with mental health conditions. Dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

Emergency departments

All major public hospitals (and some private hospitals) have an emergency department. This is where people can receive emergency help for mental health conditions.

You can visit your local emergency department if you or someone you know:

• feels suicidal
• has thoughts of harming others
• is very unwell

The emergency department can also refer you for follow-up with:

• a doctor
• other mental health professionals
• a community mental health service

Mental healthcare professionals

There are different mental health professionals you can see if you need support.

Many people with a mental health problem see a doctor or a general practitioner (GP) first. You don't need a referral to see your doctor. They can:

• diagnose and treat some mental health conditions
• tell you about appropriate services near you
• refer you to other mental health professionals
• prepare a mental health treatment plan

Having a mental health treatment plan can help you manage the costs of mental health appointments. You can read more about this at the end of this page.

To see a mental health professional, you don't always need a referral from a doctor. However, you need a referral to get a Medicare rebate (refund).

Mental health professional may include:

• psychiatrists
• psychologists
• mental health nurses
• occupational therapists
• social workers

If you see a psychiatrist in a public hospital or community health service, you usually won't have to pay. But there is usually a waiting period.

In rural or remote Australia, mental health services may be more limited. This might include mental health care at a general practice. If you cannot see a mental health professional in person, you can do a video or telephone consultation. These can still be covered by Medicare.

Find out more about mental health professionals here.

Community mental health services

Community mental health services can assess people experiencing mental health problems and give support.

Community mental health services are not standard across Australia. They generally involve different mental health professionals, who often work together in teams. The team may work with your doctor. Some teams have peer workers — people who have experienced mental health problems and recovery.

Community mental health services may have specialised teams for people of certain backgrounds, or who are experiencing certain symptoms or conditions.

How can community mental health services help?

In life, you may find yourself suddenly struggling, or your mental health may worsen suddenly. Community mental health care can help when you need support suddenly. Some teams provide psychiatric care for a mental health crisis.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can support people with mental health conditions that greatly impact their everyday lives. This support includes helping find meaningful employment and activities. It also involves helping with the challenges of daily living.

Where can you access community mental health services?

Community mental health services can be provided in several ways:

• at hospital outpatient clinics
• at community mental health centres or clinics
• in a person's home
• online
• via telephone

You can use the telephone mental health triage service for each state and territory to get mental health support.

People may get community mental health services at a residence, such as a residential unit. This includes:

• rehabilitation
• treatment
• extended care in a domestic-type environment

This helps people move from being an inpatient in a hospital to living in the community. It also assists with independent living skills. It may help you avoid admission to hospital in the first place or provide respite care.

Specialist mental health services

Some mental health services specialise in certain mental health problems. They may be for serious mental health problems or aimed at specific groups of people.

These specialist services can include clinics or community services.

These might include services for people with:

• eating disorders
• drug and alcohol abuse
• personality disorders
• postnatal depression
• early psychosis
• complex needs, such as homelessness

Some services help different groups of people, like:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• children and adolescents
• war veterans
• refugees
• older people
• families

Support for carers

If you care for someone with a mental health condition, you can find support at the Carer Gateway website.

Inpatient hospital care

Sometimes you may need a stay in hospital for treatment. This usually happens in a psychiatric unit. These units are available in major public hospitals, as well as some public and private psychiatric hospitals.

These hospitals have a range of specialist mental health professionals.

If you need to stay in hospital for mental health treatment, how long you stay may depend on the care you need. You may stay in hospital for a day, a couple of weeks or longer.

People are normally admitted to a public psychiatric facility through the emergency department or a community mental health team.

Your doctor or a psychiatrist can help admit you to private psychiatric hospital.

Occasionally, a person may need to stay at a mental health unit by law. This is for their own safety or for the safety of others. For this to happen, a doctor must make the case to a tribunal. The person can legally object to staying at the hospital.

How can I connect with a mental health service?

If you need to access a mental health service, talking to your doctor is often the best place to start. You can also call a mental health helpline. They can give you advice on where to start looking, and guide you to the most appropriate care.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be referred to:

• your local doctor or health service
• a Medicare Mental Health centre
• another mental health service that's available in your region

Mental health services by state and territory

State and territory governments provide hospital, emergency and community mental health services. They also have a range of other services that support mental health including:

• community support
• housing
• drug and alcohol rehabilitation
• education and early childhood services

Many services are provided through partnerships with organisations that offer support and education for people with mental illness.

Most states and territories have a mental health telephone triage service. Call this for help for you or someone else. They are usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can find these numbers, and information on mental health services in each state below.

• Australian Capital Territory — 1800 629 354
• New South Wales — 1800 011 511
• Northern Territory — 1800 682 288
• Queensland — 1300 642 255
• South Australia — 13 14 65
• Tasmania — 1800 332 388
• Victoria — 1300 651 251
• Western Australia — 1800 676 822 (PEEL) or 1300 555 788 (Metro)

Who pays for mental health services?

Medicare pays for all or part of the cost of seeing doctors.

If you have a mental health treatment plan, or if a psychiatrist or paediatrician refers you, you can get a Medicare benefit for eligible:

• psychologists or psychiatrists
• occupational therapists
• social workers

There is often still a gap to pay.

A mental health treatment plan helps pay for up to 10 appointments with a mental health professional each calendar year. Your doctor can help develop this plan. They must also give you a referral to see a mental healthcare professional. After 6 appointments, you must see your doctor again to be covered for further sessions.

Find out more about paying for mental health services.

Resources and support

There are non-Government organisations that offer free or low-cost mental health advice, counselling and online programs. These services can help people who have difficulty accessing face-to-face services or who prefer to be anonymous.

You can view a list of mental health telephone helplines.

You can call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 for advice and to get connected to local mental health services. Check the operating times. The Medicare Mental Health website provides information on how to navigate the mental health system, live well and find help.

Online mental health programs include:

• headspace (for people aged 12 to 25 years and their families) — call 1800 650 890 or chat online
• Beyond Blue (anyone feeling depressed or anxious) — call 1300 22 4636 or chat online
• Black Dog Institute (anyone affected by mood disorders) — online help
• SANE Australia (people living with a mental illness) — call 1800 187 263 or chat online
• This Way Up (anyone with stress, anxiety and depression) — online courses
• MindSpot — call 1800 61 44 34 or complete an online screening assessment

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.