Helpful Guides
As advocates, we work hard to help reduce the barriers that prevent people from getting the support they need to improve their mental health and make healthy changes.
Translating the complex
so you seek help sooner
We’ve created simple guides to help you and your family, friends and colleagues to understand mental health conditions, services and how to seek support. Without the complex and confusing words.
We’ve consulted people with lived experience to ensure these guides are as helpful as possible for people in Australia. Although, a lot of the guidance may be useful to others elsewhere.
Our Guides
These guides are meant to serve as a starting point for finding the right support.
Family Members and Caregivers
When someone close to you is experiencing a mental illness it can feel confusing and overwhelming at times however it is important to know that you are not alone.
Learn moreKids, Teens and Young Adults
Sometimes it can feel uncomfortable talking about how you are feeling or asking for help but not doing anything at all can make you feel a lot worse later. Learn more about how to support yourself and those around you.
Learn more
Veterans & Active Duty
Being away from home and exposure to stressful and dangerous situations can have a negative impact on your mental health and well-being. This section provides information and services to support your mental health and others around you.
Learn more
Multicultural mental health support
Whether you identify as a refugee, asylum seeker, first or second-generation migrant there are supports and recourses available to assist you during your journey of mental wellbeing.
Learn more
LGBTIQA+ specific mental health support
Looking after your mental health is important but it can be difficult if you are experiencing homophobia, stigma, or discrimination. If you are looking for ways to improve your mental health click here to read more.
Learn more
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health support
Looking after your health is important. Your path to wellbeing may include feeling a connection to Country, culture, and family as well as staying physically and mentally well.
Learn moreHow we can help
If you or someone you know is in crisis
If you are worried you may harm yourself or someone else, or need immediate help for someone else in this situation:
Please call 000If you are in distress
Other helplines
- Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636
- Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counseling | 1800 011 046
- MensLine Australia | 1300 78 99 78
- Defence All Hours Support Line | 1800 628 036
- QLife | 1800 184 527
- 13YARN| 13 92 76
Please select a state you live in
Suicide Call Back Service. Free professional telephone counselling & online chat available at suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Available 24/7
1800RESPECT Domestic Violence Counselling & Support Line. Online Chat at 1800respect.org.au or SMS on 0458 737 732
Available 24/7
13YARN First Nations Peoples Crisis Support Line. Call to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter
Available 24/7
Defence All Hours Telephone Support Line. For Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families
Available 24/7
Access Mental Health Line. For people who have concerns about their own, or someone else’s mental health
Available 24/7
Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra. Phone, request a call canberrammhc.com.au.
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8.30am-5:00pm. Tuesday & Thursday (extended hours): 8:30am-7:00pm
NSW Hospital and Health Services State-wide Mental Health Line. Speak to a trained Mental Health Professional
Available 24/7
Medicare Mental Health. Phone to find your nearest centre. Support through Medicare Mental Health Centres are free. No appointment or GP referral is required. Visit www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Hours vary.
NT Mental Health Line. For people who have concerns about their own, or someone else’s mental health. Speak to a trained mental health professional.
Available 24/7
Darwin Medicare Mental Health. Clinical Assessment and Treatment. Call, walk-in (16 Scaturchio St, Casuarina.)
Mon - Wed and Fri: 9am - 9pm; Thur: 1pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun (and public holidays): 12pm - 8pm
1300 MH Call. A confidential mental health telephone triage service providing information, advise and referral.
Available 24/7
Medicare Mental Health. Phone to find your nearest centre. Support through Medicare Mental Health Centres are free. No appointment or GP referral is required. Visit www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Hours vary.
SA Mental Health Triage. A confidential mental health telephone service, staffed by mental health clinicians, providing information, advise and referral.
Available 24/7
Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (UMHCC) located at 215 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, offers an alternative to presenting at hospital Emergency Departments for a mental health crisis.
Available 24/7
Medicare Mental Health. Phone to find your nearest centre. Support through Medicare Mental Health Centres are free. No appointment or GP referral is required. Visit www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Hours vary.
LETSS Lived Experience Telephone Support Service (Adelaide Metro)
5pm and 11:30pm, 365 days a year
Access Mental Health- Helpline Triage offering phone counselling, information and referral.
9am - 10pm
Medicare Mental Health. Phone to find your nearest centre. Support through Medicare Mental Health Centres are free. No appointment or GP referral is required. Visit www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Hours vary.
Victoria Psychiatric Triage providing an initial assessment and identifies whether a person needs further assessment or referral.
Available 24/7
Geelong Head to Health. Call or walk-in at 8 Station Street, Norlane. Email at MedicareMHC.Geelong@neaminational.org.au
Monday–Friday, 12pm–9pm and Saturday–Sunday/public holidays, 1pm – 6pm
Medicare Mental Health. Phone to find your nearest centre. Support through Medicare Mental Health Centres are free. No appointment or GP referral is required. Visit www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Hours vary.
Rurallink - An after-hours telephone service for people in rural and regional WA experiencing a mental health crisis
Weeknights 4:30pm-8:30pm / 24hrs on Weekends and Public Holidays
Peel -Mental Health Emergency Response Line. Call to speak with a trained mental health clinician. Callers referred to acute response teams.
Available 24/7
TTY - Mental Health Emergency Response Line.Call to speak with a trained mental health clinician. Callers referred to acute response teams.
Available 24/7
Metro - Mental Health Emergency Response Line. Call to speak with a trained mental health clinician. Callers referred to acute response teams.
Available 24/7
Medicare Mental Health. Phone to find your nearest centre. Support through Medicare Mental Health Centres are free. No appointment or GP referral is required. Visit www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Hours vary.
Please select a state you live in
Service Options
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