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Finding mental health support
Mental health support can be found in many ways. From call and chat services to specialised care, there is help available for you.
Ill mental health is experienced by millions of people in Australia (AIHW 2023). Statistics also show that anyone at any stage of life can struggle with ill mental health (ABS 2022). Most disorders can be treated or managed with a care plan. Recovery is possible with support.
The important thing is to find support when you need it. This may be a difficult thing for you to do, but times have changed. There is now much more social acceptance of the fact that mental health does not define a person.
If you or someone you know is experiencing ill mental health, you are not alone and there is help available. A good place to start is Head to Health, a free and confidential service with more than 500 resources available to everyone.
Ill mental health is experienced by millions of people in Australia (AIHW 2023). Statistics also show that anyone at any stage of life can struggle with ill mental health (ABS 2022). Most disorders can be treated or managed with a care plan. Recovery is possible with support.
The important thing is to find support when you need it. This may be a difficult thing for you to do, but times have changed. There is now much more social acceptance of the fact that mental health does not define a person.
If you or someone you know is experiencing ill mental health, you are not alone and there is help available. A good place to start is Head to Health, a free and confidential service with more than 500 resources available to everyone.
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Mental health helplines
The first line of support for many people is often a trained and understanding person who is ready for your call. Some of the main phone or online chat services are:
- Lifeline - call 13 11 14, 24/7, text 0477 131 114, or chat online.
LifeLine’s crisis support service is available 24/7. Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter any time of the day or night. - Beyond Blue - call 1300 22 4636 (24/7), or chat online.
Beyond Blue is a mental health support service that connects you to a person to talk to on those days when things seem too much, or something isn’t quite right.
The first line of support for many people is often a trained and understanding person who is ready for your call. Some of the main phone or online chat services are:
- Lifeline - call 13 11 14, 24/7, text 0477 131 114, or chat online.
LifeLine’s crisis support service is available 24/7. Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter any time of the day or night. - Beyond Blue - call 1300 22 4636 (24/7), or chat online.
Beyond Blue is a mental health support service that connects you to a person to talk to on those days when things seem too much, or something isn’t quite right.
- Griefline – call 1300 845 745 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday (AEST).
You can also book a grief support call. This service is available 7 days a week. - MensLine – call 1300 78 99 78, or chat online.
MensLine Australia is the 24/7 national telephone and online support service for men. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors who are experienced in men's issues. - Open Arms - call 1800 011 046, or visit the Open Arms website.
Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling provides free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the Australian Defence Force.
- Griefline – call 1300 845 745 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday (AEST).
You can also book a grief support call. This service is available 7 days a week. - MensLine – call 1300 78 99 78, or chat online.
MensLine Australia is the 24/7 national telephone and online support service for men. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors who are experienced in men's issues. - Open Arms - call 1800 011 046, or visit the Open Arms website.
Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling provides free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the Australian Defence Force.
- Suicide Call Back Service - call 1300 659 467, or chat online. The Suicide Call Back Service offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support if you are:
- At risk of suicide
- Concerned about someone at risk
- Bereaved by suicide
- Experiencing emotional or mental health issues
- Your state's mental health crisis line - Each state and territory has a mental health call service. These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are triage services. If needed, they can refer you to a community mental health service.
- Suicide Call Back Service - call 1300 659 467, or chat online. The Suicide Call Back Service offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support if you are:
- At risk of suicide
- Concerned about someone at risk
- Bereaved by suicide
- Experiencing emotional or mental health issues
- Your state's mental health crisis line - Each state and territory has a mental health call service. These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are triage services. If needed, they can refer you to a community mental health service.
Learn about your options
There are many types of services, and they can support you in different ways. Learn more at Head to Health.
Healthdirect, the national virtual public health information service, provides everything you need to know about:
There are many types of services, and they can support you in different ways. Learn more at Head to Health.
Healthdirect, the national virtual public health information service, provides everything you need to know about:
- Mental health resources
- Australian mental health services
- Rural or remote mental health
- Talking to your doctor (GP) about mental health
- The different types of mental health professionals
- Paying for mental health services
- Low-cost or free mental health services.
Peer support
Sharing personal stories can help. Support groups and peer support can also contribute to better outcomes (BMJ 2018). However, it’s not for everyone. If you're feeling stressed, depressed, anxious, or not coping, contact a GP or helpline.
Head to Health provides helpful information about options relevant to your background or identity if you are:
Learn more about finding LGBTQIA+ support and services here.
Sharing personal stories can help. Support groups and peer support can also contribute to better outcomes (BMJ 2018). However, it’s not for everyone. If you're feeling stressed, depressed, anxious, or not coping, contact a GP or helpline.
Head to Health provides helpful information about options relevant to your background or identity if you are:
Learn more about finding LGBTQIA+ support and services here.
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How to be a mental health ally
Being a mental health ally means you support and include people who are struggling with their mental health. Here are some of the ways you can be a mental health ally:
- Talk to your friends or family members who may be going through a hard time. Listen to them with empathy and compassion.
- Use positive and respectful language when talking about mental health and don’t use blaming words.
- Educate yourself and others about mental health issues.
- Challenge myths and stereotypes.
Being a mental health ally means you support and include people who are struggling with their mental health. Here are some of the ways you can be a mental health ally:
- Talk to your friends or family members who may be going through a hard time. Listen to them with empathy and compassion.
- Use positive and respectful language when talking about mental health and don’t use blaming words.
- Educate yourself and others about mental health issues.
- Challenge myths and stereotypes.
More helpful information
If you need more information, get in touch with one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971. You can learn more by following the links below:
Diet and mental health | healthdirect
Depression in older people - causes, symptoms, treatment | healthdirect
The 30 Top Mental Health Organisations in Australia | Australia Counselling
Digital mental health services | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
If you need more information, get in touch with one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971. You can learn more by following the links below:
Diet and mental health | healthdirect
Depression in older people - causes, symptoms, treatment | healthdirect
The 30 Top Mental Health Organisations in Australia | Australia Counselling
Digital mental health services | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
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