There are many free mental health services available across Australia, and the right one for you will depend on what you need at the time.
National helplines offer immediate, around-the-clock support – ideal for when you need to talk to someone right away. Most offer multiple ways to connect, including phone and online chat options.
State-based services can help you navigate the mental health system in your area, find local programs, and access face-to-face and community-based support.
Browse the services below to find the right supports for you.
Are you or somebody you know in crisis?
In an emergency, call 000 immediately.
If the situation is urgent, and you or someone else is at immediate risk, call 000 or go to your closest emergency department.
If you are supporting someone who has a plan to harm themselves, do not leave the person alone, unless you are concerned for your own safety.
Call Lifeline 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 for support.
National helplines
Lifeline Australia
Crisis support and suicide prevention services by phone, text and online chat (24/7).
Contact details
Suicide Call Back Service
Crisis support for people at risk of suicide, carers and bereaved, by phone, online chat and video chat (24/7). Their website also offers a range of online resources and information.
Contact details
13 YARN
If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter (24/7).
Contact details
MensLine Australia
Counselling support by phone or online chat for men with concerns about mental health – including anxiety and depression – relationship problems, anger management, coping strategies, grief and loss, loneliness and isolation, parenting, stress and suicide prevention (24/7).
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Beyond Blue
If you’re going through a hard time, Beyond Blue offer brief counselling by phone (24/7) or online chat (3-11pm AEDT/AEST).
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Kids Helpline
A private and confidential counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25, by phone and online chat (24/7). Kids Helpline also offer a free wellbeing app called Qwibbl, and a social media platform called My Circle.
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Thirrili
Emotional and practical support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities impacted by a loss from suicide or other fatal traumatic incidents by phone (24/7).
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Help with accessing services in your area
Medicare Mental Health
8:30am-5pm AEDT/AEST, MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Medicare Mental Health can connect you with a range of mental health services across Australia and in your local area.
You can walk in to a Medicare Mental Health Centre or Kids Hub (0 to 12 years) near you, or free call their national phone service from 8:30am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
You can also browse a range of services and resources on their website to support yourself or someone you care for.
Medicare Mental Health is not a crisis service.
Contact details
NSW – Mental Health Line
The NSW Mental Health Line is a free statewide phone service that links people of all ages with NSW Health mental health services (24/7). This service is for anyone worried about their or someone else's mental health.
When you call the line, a trained mental health professional will:
- Conduct a brief mental health assessment
- Offer mental health advice where appropriate
- If applicable, make recommendations for further care, including referrals to NSW Health mental health services.
The NSW Mental Health Line is not a counselling or one-off crisis support service.
Contact details
QLD – Mental Health Access Line
1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) is a confidential mental health telephone triage service that links callers to their nearest Queensland Public Mental Health service (24/7).
The 1300 MH CALL service:
- is the main point of access into public mental health services
- is staffed by trained and experienced professional mental health clinicians
- can provide advice and information in a mental health emergency or crisis
- can provide support, information, advice and referral
- will provide a mental health triage and refer to acute care teams where appropriate.
Contact details
VIC - Head to Health Clinics
8:30am-5pm AEDT/AEST, MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Head to Health Clinics operate across Victoria and provide a safe and welcoming space to talk to someone if you, or someone you care about, are in distress, or need help finding the right mental health support to meet your needs.
You can access Head to Health Clinics by phone, or by visiting your nearest location – whatever you feel most comfortable with. No appointment or GP referral is required.
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SA - SA Health
The SA Health website provides a comprehensive directory of public mental health services in South Australia. Services are provided through community health centres and hospitals, and to consumers in their own homes.
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WA – Here For You Support Line
7am – 10pm daily
A confidential, non-judgemental phone and online chat service for Western Australians seeking support for their own, or another person’s, mental health, alcohol and/or other drug-related challenges.
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TAS – Access Mental Health
Access Mental Health is a mental health support, triage, and referral phone line delivered by the Department of Health Tasmania, in partnership with Lifeline. Access Mental Health is operated by skilled and experienced mental health professionals, who can provide (24/7):
- counselling support over the phone
- information about the Tasmanian mental health system and the services available near you
- help with referrals into public mental health services.
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ACT - Get help for your mental health
The ACT Government’s Get help for your mental health webpage provides a directory of walk-in, phone and online supports for people with a wide range of mental health needs across the ACT.
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NT – Mental Health NT & The Northern Territory Mental Health Line
Mental Health NT have a range of services you can access by region on their website.
You can also call the Northern Territory mental health line and triage service (24/7).
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Services for carers and support people
The support, care and connection that family, friends and carers can provide to someone after a suicide attempt or suicidal distress is critical. If you also need support during this time, please consider the following services.
Minds Together
A free online program for family, friends, carers and kin who are supporting someone following a suicide attempt or experiencing suicidal distress.
Contact details
Carer Gateway
8am-5pm, MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Carer Gateway service providers help carers access a range of free in-person, over the phone, or online support services.
Contact details
National organisations and resources
There are a number of organisations working in suicide prevention that have resources, tools, information and support services that are available by specialism, region, age group, gender, sexuality, cultural background and more.