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Mental health: where to get help
Free counselling and mental health support
Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is providing free counselling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 1800 512 348 to speak with a trained mental health professional (24 hours 7 days a week) or chat online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.
The Australian Government provides a free mental health service to support the mental health of people in NSW, the ACT and Victoria who've been affected by the pandemic. The initiative is called Head to Health in NSW and the ACT, and Head to Help in Victoria. Call 1800 595 212 from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5pm — except on public holidays. You’ll speak to a mental health professional who’ll work with you to see what you need.
Learn more about COVID-19 and managing your mental health here.
Free counselling for individuals, families and emergency personnel affected by the bushfire crisis is also available under a new government mental health support program.
Do you or someone you know have mental health problems? Not sure where to go for help?
The pages listed below offer guidance on different types of mental health professionals and services, how to access them and the possible associated costs.
If you need urgent help, please call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Are you having a tough time and need to talk to someone right now? Find information about helplines and services that are available throughout Australia.
Australian mental health services
It can be difficult to understand how the complex mental health system in Australia operates. Learn how you can access the care you need.
Community mental health services
Community mental health services are for people with severe types of mental illnesses. Learn about your local community mental health services.
Low cost or free mental health services
Depending upon your personal circumstances, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate on Government programs to assist with your treatment.
Mental health helplines
Information about key groups that can help with mental health problems, including healthdirect partners and leading Australian health organisations.
Mental health services by state and territory
State and territory governments offer hospital, emergency and community mental health services. Learn about services available in your region.
Mental Health Treatment Plan
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a plan for people with a mental health disorder created by your doctor, outlining the goals for your treatment.
Paying for mental health services
Mental health costs vary depending on where you are and what service you are provided. Learn more about the services and what the costs might be.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Mental Health Services | SA Health
Mental health services in South Australia. A directory of where to get mental health help: crisis, counselling, support, advocacy and complaint services.
Read more on SA Health website
Health and Disability Services Complaints Office - Complaints about Mental Health Services
Complaints about Mental Health Services
Read more on Health and Disability Services Complaints Office website
Hospital mental health services | NT.GOV.AU
Top End and Central Australia mental health hospital services.
Read more on NT Health website
Choosing teenage mental health services | Raising Children Network
If you’re choosing teenage mental health services for your child, it’s vital to look for services that suit your child’s and family’s needs. Here’s how.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Tips for choosing a digital mental health service – Information for consumers and carers | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Tips for choosing a digital mental health service – Information for consumers and carers Downloads Tips for choosing a digital mental health service – Information for consumers and carers For more information National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards Publication year 2020 Resource type Fact sheet or brochure Topics e-Health (digital health) Mental health
Read more on Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website
Community based mental health services | NT.GOV.AU
Non-government mental health support organisations and services for individuals and carers in the Northern Territory.
Read more on NT Health website
Mental health in remote communities | NT.GOV.AU
Top End and Central Australia remote mental health services.
Read more on NT Health website
ForWhen Helpline - Mental Health Support for Parents
ForWhen is a new and free parent mental health service designed to help expectant parents...
Read more on Karitane website
Support for culturally and linguistically diverse people | Head to Health
An informative resource for finding mental health services and support for anyone from another culture or who speaks another language.
Read more on Head to Health website
Multicultural people - Beyond Blue
Studies have highlighted the barriers people from diverse backgrounds encounter when accessing mental health services and finding help.
Read more on Beyond Blue website
Top results
Minimising Restrictive Practices: Seclusion | Ausmed
Seclusion is a behavioural intervention used by mental health services, wherein a client is confined in a room alone and prevented from freely exiting. It is used as a last resort intervention in the event of a behavioural emergency and must only be used if there are no other appropriate options.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
For Health Professionals | Head to Health
This page provides videos, webinars, and other reference materials on how to use Head to Health for health professionals.
Read more on Head to Health website
Mental Health Treatment Plan | Ausmed
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a support plan for someone experiencing mental health issues. A general practitioner (GP) will assess if a person has signs of mental illness and whether they would benefit from mental health treatment (6 sessions are subsidised by Medicare).
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Young people - QLife guide tip sheet
Social conditions for the acceptance of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) people have improved dramatically in Australia in recent years.
Read more on QLife website
Online Environments - a QLife guide for health professionals
The emergence of the internet as a major part of daily life is swiftly changing avenues of social connection, access to information, doing business and accessing health care services.
Read more on QLife website
RURAL AND REGIONAL - A QLIFE GUIDE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
People who live in nonurban areas of Australia who are also lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) face some unique factors in social connection, accessing services and maintaining health and wellbeing.
Read more on QLife website
Suicide prevention - a QLife guide for health professionals
Despite significant social change and increased inclusion, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people have a far greater risk of suicide than the national population average.
Read more on QLife website
Amphetamine withdrawal management | SA Health
Amphetamine withdrawal management - appropriate processes for the management of amphetamine withdrawal.
Read more on SA Health website
Minimising Restrictive Practices: Restraint | Ausmed
Restraint is the practice of intentionally restricting a client’s movement or behaviour to prevent harm or danger to the client, staff or other people. As much as possible, healthcare services should aim to create and maintain a restraint-free environment to prevent clients from unnecessary trauma.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Training to recognise the early signs of recurrence in schizophrenia | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: This review indicates that early warning signs interventions may have a positive effect on the proportions of people re-hospitalised and on rates of relapse, but not on time to recurrence
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
