Mental Health & Wellbeing Support in Australia 💙
We all need a bit of extra support sometimes in life so we’ve put together a list of people and places you can call at any time to get some help. Sometimes it’s problems at home or at school, medical challenges, issues with friends, dealing with change, or maybe you just need to vent to someone. Remember – there is nothing too small to chat about and whatever it is the people below can help.
If you are at immediate risk call 000 and request an ambulance.
Free trained professionals in Australia you can chat to right now for support:
If you’re based in NZ head over here
Kids Helpline – (Phone and chat services) 1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline is a free counselling service for anyone aged 5-25. Their tagline is ‘Anytime Any Reason’ and that sums them up well. You can chat to them about any issue at all and even arrange to speak to the same counsellor again. They also have a number of great teenage and young adult specific resources on their website: https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens and https://kidshelpline.com.au/young-adults
Call – 24/7 – 1800 55 1800
Online Chat – 24/7 – https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling
https://kidshelpline.com.au/my-circle
Lifeline – (Phone, chat and text services) 13 11 14
Lifeline is available to help 24/7. They are experts at helping people through thoughts of suicide or any other challenge you may be facing. Nothing is too small. You can also contact Lifeline if you are worried about someone else.
Call – 24/7 – 13 11 14
Online chat – 24/7 – https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/
Text – 24/7 – https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-text/
eheadspace – (Phone and chat services 9am – 1am) – 1800 650 890
eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help.
Call – 9am to 1am (AEST) every day – 1800 650 890
Online chat – 9am to 1am (AEST) every day https://headspace.org.au/log-in/
Suicide Call Back Service – (Phone and chat services) 1300 659 467 – Ages 15 and above only
Suicide Call Back Service offers free 24/7 telephone and online chat counselling for anyone aged 15 and above affected by suicide. They provide free and immediate counselling if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal.
Call – 24/7 – 1300 659 467
Online Chat – 24/7 – https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/
Beyond Blue – (Phone and chat services) 1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue are another 24/7 service you can talk to. They are there to listen, provide information and advice for anything you may be going through and help point you in the right direction. Their website is also jam-packed with helpful information on all things mental health and they have an online forum you can join too.
Call – 24/7 – 1300 22 4636
Email Support – https://www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/email
Online chat – 24/7 – https://online.beyondblue.org.au/
QLife (Phone and chat services) 1800 184 527
QLife are an awesome LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral service. They can chat to you about stuff including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. They are super inclusive and supportive, and you can remain fully anonymous.
Call – 3pm til midnight every day 1800 184 527
Online Chat – 3pm til midnight every day https://qlife.org.au
The Butterfly Foundation (Phone and chat services)
Butterfly are the go-to spot for anyone impacted by eating disorders or body image issues, and for any family or friends who also need support. They have a bunch of awesome resources, and are really non-judgmental. They can provide counselling via their chat or helpline, or help refer you to a support group or health professional.
Call – 8am til midnight every day (except public hols) 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673)
Online Chat – 8am til midnight every day (except public hols) – https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/chat-online/
13 Yarn (Phone services)
13 Yarn are the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns..
Call – 24/7 – 13 92 76
If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people on the phone you can access any of the above services using the National Relay Service. To find out more about this service visit: https://www.communications.gov.au/what-we-do/phone/services-people-disability/accesshub/national-relay-service
People you can chat to face to face when the time is right:
Along with the professional supports listed above, there are a number of people who may already be in your life right now that you can chat to for support. These include:
- Parents or Guardians
- School counsellors
- Teachers
- Your local GP
- Trusted adults
Often we feel like we can go at it alone and cope, but this may only make things worse. Talking to someone in your life who you trust is a big first step in getting support. These people can also support you long-term and be there for you when you need them most.
To get additional help and advice at your own pace check out these resources:
These websites all provide great information on a wide range of mental health topics, issues and resources, as do the websites for the services mentioned above. Many of these are teenage specific and include many helpful tips and strategies.
- https://au.reachout.com/
ReachOut helps under 25s with everyday questions through to tough times. Visit now to get the tools you need to make life easier. - https://headspace.org.au/
At Headspace you can get support for your mental health, with access to group chats, online communities and 1:1 direct support. - https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/spaces/community/
Online community spaces on a range of topics from navigating relationships, to supporting others and work/study.
Check out more info here: https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/join-the-community/chats-by-peers/ - https://headtohealth.gov.au
Head to Health can help you find the right Australian digital mental health and wellbeing resources, for yourself or for someone you care about. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/tools/apps
From mental health to meditation to job seeking – this list might have something you’re looking for - https://kidshelpline.com.au/niggle
Niggle is a free, safe and anonymous app, facilitated by Kids Helpline Counsellors to capture your niggles and do something about them. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/worried-about-environment
It’s normal to be worried about the environment and the things you see on the news. Here the Kids Helpline team look at ‘eco-anxiety’ and how to cope with it. - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/young-people/helpful-contacts-and-websites
There are many organisations dedicated to providing support for young people, here are some of them. - https://www.canteen.org.au/
Canteen is a place for you if you’re 12-25 and cancer has turned your world upside down.
Take heed of your head and look after your mental health and remember there is always support out there; whatever the issue and whatever the time of day.
Responses