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Mental health support and counselling

Need help now? Call Triple Zero (000) or go to a hospital if you are in immediate danger.

If you or someone you care about is distressed, in crisis, suicidal or needs someone to talk to, help is available. The following services provide confidential, non-judgemental support.

Health professionals

Talk to your doctor about your concerns and ask for an assessment or referral. Some general practitioners (GPs) have additional training and expertise in mental health. Search for a GP online  or phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24 hour assessment, referral, advice, and hospital and community health centre contact details.

Medicare rebates are available for a range of mental health treatments, including up to 10 individual consultations and up to 10 group therapy sessions with a mental health professional. You’ll need a referral from a general practitioner, psychiatrist or paediatrician to be eligible.

Online treatment

OnTrack  is a free online treatment program that helps you self manage your recovery from depression. It focuses on practical things you can do to make things better and helps you to set goals.

MoodGYM is an innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent depression. It consists of 5 modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment.

Telephone counselling services

Lifeline
Counselling services for anyone at anytime.
Phone 13 11 14

Kids Helpline
Telephone and online counselling for young people aged 12-25.
Phone 1800 55 1800

SANE helpline 
Information, advice and referral for mental illness.
Phone 1800 187 263

beyondblue
Information and referral for depression and anxiety.
Phone 1300 224 636

Parentline
Support, counselling and education for parents.
Phone 1300 30 1300

Gay Line Lesbian Line 
Peer counselling service for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families and friends.
Phone 1800 184 527 (7pm to 10pm)

Harmony Place
Mental health services for culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities.
Phone (07) 3848 1600

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service 
Counselling and group programs for Australian veterans, peacekeepers and their families.
Phone 1800 011 046

ARAFMI 
Support for family, friends and carers of people with mental illness.
Phone 1800 351 881

Men’s Line
Telephone and online support, information and referral service to help men with relationship and other problems.
Phone 1300 78 99 78

Support groups

Helpful resources

R U OK?

R U OK? Day is a national suicide prevention initiative held on the second Thursday of September. People are encouraged to ask family, friends and colleagues "are you OK?” to stop little problems turning into big ones.
How to ask are you OK?

Headspace centres

Young people aged 12 to 25 and their families can access information, support and advice on a range of topics. Visit a headspace centre or find resources on the headspace website.

Men's Sheds

There are over 500 Men’s Sheds around Australia where men can work on projects while they socialise, network, make friends and share skills. Find your local shed or join The Shed Online.

 

Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0)
Last updated:
7 December 2012

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