Mental health helplines

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

• people who are having problems with their mental health
• people with mental illness
• those who work with people with mental health difficulties
• their families, friends and carers

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 with eating disorders and body image related issues:

• Butterfly National Helpline (Opens in new tab) is available for anyone in Australia concerned about eating disorders or body image issues on weekdays, 8am to midnight. Call 1800 33 4673.
• Eating Disorders Victoria (Opens in new tab) offers free, confidential counselling about eating disorders to Victorians on weekdays, 9:30am to 4:30pm. Call 1300 550 236.

If you have a complex mental health issue:

• SANE Australia (Opens in new tab) 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 (Opens in new tab) 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:

• The National Alcohol and Other Drug (Opens in new tab) Hotline directs you to your local state alcohol and drug information service for free and confidential advice 24 hours/7 days a week. Call 1800 250 015.

Support for people with different backgrounds or needs

If you're feeling lonely:

• FriendLine (Opens in new tab)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:

• MensLine Australia (Opens in new tab) is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours/7 days a week or chat online (Opens in new tab).

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

• Kids Helpline (Opens in new tab) 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 (Opens in new tab) 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 (Opens in new tab).
• ReachOut (Opens in new tab) offers a free, anonymous online chat (Opens in new tab) 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 (Opens in new tab) provides 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. Call 13 92 76.
• Thirrili (Opens in new tab) 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 (Opens in new tab) 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:

• QLife (Opens in new tab) provides nationwide telephone and web-based services for peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Services are available 7 days a week, from 3pm to 9pm. Call 1800 184 527 or chat online.
• Full Stop Australia's Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (Opens in new tab) provides free and confidential counselling 24/7 for LGBTQ+ people impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence, as well as their family and friends. Call 1800 497 212.

If you are pregnant or need parenting support:

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) (Opens in new tab) 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 (Opens in new tab) 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 (Opens in new tab) is a peer support for separated dads. Call 1300 853 437.

If you are a veteran:

• Open Arms (Opens in new tab) 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:

• Rural aid (Opens in new tab) offers free, confidential counselling (Opens in new tab) to farmers and their families on weekdays, 9am to 4pm. Call 1300 175 594.
• This Is a Conversation Starter (TIACS) (Opens in new tab) provides free, confidential counselling for blue collar workers in Australia on weekdays, 8am to 10pm. Call or text 0488 846 988.

If you are grieving and need support:

• Griefline (Opens in new tab) provides free and confidential support 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. Call 1300 845 745.

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

• 1800RESPECT (Opens in new tab) provides 24/7 support for people impacted by domestic or family violence. Call 1800 737 732.
• Full Stop Australia (Opens in new tab) provides free counselling for people impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence. Call 1800 385 578.

If you need support for financial difficulty:

• Financial Counselling Australia (Opens in new tab) provides free, confidential counselling Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm. Call 1800 007 007.

If you speak a language other than English:

• the Translating and Interpreting Service (Opens in new tab) can help you to connect with mental health helplines in your language 24/7. Call 131 450.

If you are deaf or have a hearing impairment:

• the National Relay Service (Opens in new tab) 24/7 can provide free and confidential help when calling a mental health helpline. Call 0423 677 767. They can also provide Video Relay (Opens in new tab) 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:

• Carer Gateway (Opens in new tab) provides free support for carers, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Call 1800 422 737.
• Kids Helpline (Opens in new tab)also provides free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service for parents of children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 55 1800.
• headspace (Opens in new tab) provides free online and telephone support and counselling to families and friends of young people 12 – 25. Call 1800 650 890, or chat online (Opens in new tab).
• Butterfly National Helpline (Opens in new tab) is available for anyone in Australia concerned about eating disorders or body image issues, including support for families. Call 1800 33 4673.
• Open Arms (Opens in new tab) provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to partners and families of anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF. Call 1800 011 046.
• Family Drug Support (Opens in new tab) offers 24/7 information and support to families of people struggling with drugs and alcohol. Call 1300 368 186.

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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