In an emergency, always call 000.

In any given year, over 15% of the population suffers from difficulties with their mental health.  For some this may be brief and treated successfully.  For others, mental health will become something they need to rehabilitate for the rest of their lives. 

Life changing events contribute to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.  In this post, we have compiled a comprehensive list of Australian mental health resources and support networks to help you in times of need.

Lifeline provides 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14. Online crisis support chat is also available from 8pm every night (AEST). Visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp.

Suicide Call Back Service is a 24/7 professional helpline that offers support to those at risk of suicide, as well as their carers and the bereaved. Call 1300 659 467.

Choose Life Services is a non profit, privately funded non-government community service seeking to offer hope specifically to those struggling with life issues that may lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviours and to those who are impacted by suicide.

Eheadspace is a confidential, free and secure space where young people 12 – 25 or their family can chat, email or speak on the phone with a qualified youth mental health professional. Visit their site or call 1800 650 890.

ReachOut.com is an online youth mental health service that provides practical information, tools and support to young people for everyday troubles to really tough times.

beyondblue is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia. They also have a 24 hour hotline that offers counselling and support services.  Call 1300 224 636.

Hope for Life is a service provided by the Salvation Army with information, resources and training for those that support people who are at risk of suicide or have lost a loved one to suicide.

Suicide Line provides free professional, anonymous support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week across Victoria.  Call 1300 651 251.

SA Mental Health Service has a comprehensive range of public mental health services for children and adolescents, adults and older people in SA.  Services are provided through community health centres and hospitals, and to consumers in their own homes.  Your general practitioner is able to help and can make referrals to specialist mental health services.  There are also a broad network of non-government organisations that provide many important mental health services with assistance from the South Australian government.  In a mental health emergency, call 13 14 65.

Country Mental Health Services provides recovery-focused mental health services to people over 18 years of age with mental illness living in regional and remote areas of South Australia. The goal is to ensure care and rehabilitation that supports people in their recovery.

Mental Health Association NSW develop early intervention and health promotion initiatives which increase community awareness of mental illness and improve mental, social and emotional wellbeing for all.

Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health is based in Orange NSW. It is a major rural initiative of The University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health and Medicine and the NSW Ministry of Health. CRRMH aims to bring quality education and research programs to all rural areas of NSW through effective partnerships to improve the mental health of rural and remote communities through academic leadership, collaboration and achievements in research, education, service development and information services.

Harmony Place is a non-government community-based multicultural organisation that provides culturally sensitive services to strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of people from diverse cultural and language backgrounds.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line is available to residents of WA 24 hours a day.  Metro callers 1300 555 788 (local call) Peel callers 1800 676 822 (free call).  Teams are made up of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, nursing and allied health staff. They provide assessment and specialist intervention for people experiencing a mental health emergency.

Rural Link WA provides a specialist after-hours mental health telephone service for the rural communities of Western Australia.  Free call 1800 552 002 – TTY 1800 720 101.

Mental Health WA is a government department specialising in the provision of mental health services in Western Australia.

Crisis Line NT: is a free and confidential 24-hour hotline for mental health inquiries from anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or concerned about someone’s wellbeing.  Calls to the hotline are received by qualified members of the Top End Mental Health Service who can provide support and link callers with appropriate services.  Call 1800 682 288.

Grow is a community-based organisation in Sydney that has helped thousands of Australians recover from mental illness through a unique program of mutual support and personal development.

Mental Health ACT Triage is a seven day 24 hour telephone service which offers screening/assessment and referral for the Canberra Community who are concerned about their mental health and well being. People may also wish to contact this service about the welfare of friend or family.  Call 1800 629 354.

ACT Mental Health Services provides a safe environment for specialised mental health assessment, crisis stabilisation and treatment for all people presenting with an acute mental illness or disorder.  People who are assessed as not requiring admission are referred to appropriate services in the community.

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness promotes better outcomes for children and
families where a parent experiences mental illness.

Arafmi Mental Health Carers is a uniquely carer-based organisation formed by families who experience the loss, loneliness, stigma and isolation of caring for loved ones with serious mental illness.

Sane Australia is a national charity helping all Australians affected by mental illness lead a better life – through support, training, and education.

Mental Health in Multi-Cultural Australia is fa project funded by the Australian Government, Department of Health, to provide a national focus for advice and support to providers and governments on mental health and suicide prevention for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.