Get Help NowIf you are in immediate danger or require medical assistance, call Emergency Services on 000.
Need Help?A Stitch in Time is an online resource to guide community discussion around Mental Health & Wellbeing. We do not provide clinical services for people in crises.If you or someone you care about is experiencing personal distress or crisis, there are many ways you can get help, including:Talk to someone you trustSharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust can sometimes decrease the burden of overwhelming thoughts of hopelessness or helplessness. A parent, close friend, teachers, colleague, or mentor may be a good first option.
Professional servicesThere are a range of services available for people experiencing personal crisis.Telephone and online crisis counselling - If you cannot access other services or you’d prefer to talk to someone anonymously, you can contact the following telephone or online counselling services:Lifeline24-hr counselling and crisis support - 13 11 14Crisis chat (8pm-12am only) - www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/Online-Services/crisis-chatSuicide Call Back Service24-hr counselling and crisis support - 1300 659 467Online counselling (2:30pm – 7pm every day except Saturday, 10:30am – 3:00pm) www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/Kids Helpline24-hr telephone counselling for kids, teens and young adults - 1800 55 1800Online and email counselling available at various times - www.kidshelp.com.au MensLine Australia24-hr telephone counselling for men - 1300 78 99 78Online and video counselling available at various times - www.mensline.org.aubeyondblue24-hr telephone support service - 1300 22 4636Online chat (4pm-10pm AEST) and support information - www.beyondblue.org.aue-headspaceOnline and telephone support and counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 - 1800 650 890; www.eheadspace.org.au/ www.ReachOut.comOnline crisis and mental health information for young people 14-25 years. National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line24-hr qualified and experienced counsellors providing confidential support, information and referral to support services to assist those experiencing sexual assault or domestic violence1800 RESPECT; www.1800respect.org.au/ General practitioner or mental health professionalIf you have access to a GP, you can talk to them about feelings of distress. GPs are trained in mental as well as physical health and if you need further consultation, they can refer you to a relevant specialist such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.beyondblue provide a user-friendly online national directory of medical and allied professionals here: www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-professionalCounselling servicesThere are also a range of counselling services available in Australia, some of which are free or low cost. For example, Lifeline offers a range of counselling services. Take a look at Lifeline’s service locator to find one close to you: lifeline.serviceseeker.com.au/service-finder.shtml.There are also many other region-specific or community-based services available through workplaces, universities, schools, churches or other community groups.
Further informationThe following websites offer free information on mental health and wellbeing and what to do in times of distress:LifelineAs well as providing access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services, Lifeline also provides national services and campaigns that promote emotional wellbeing, encourage help seeking, and address suicide prevention and awareness. www.lifeline.org.au MindhealthconnectA trusted gateway to issues surrounding mental health care and your first step to finding relevant support and resources to meet your needs. www.mindhealthconnect.org.au ReachOutAustralia’s leading online youth mental health service. With a mobile-friendly site and forums, you can access help, information and support no matter where you are. Includes fact sheets, personal stories, forums and videos. www.reachout.com headspaceAustralia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation. Provides people aged 12-25 with health advice, support and information on general health, mental health and counselling, education, employment and alcohol and other drug services. Also provides information and services for parents and carers and professionals who work with young people. www.headspace.org.au SANE AustraliaA national charity, SANE conducts innovative programs and campaigns to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their family and friends. It also operates a helpline and website.1800 18 SANE (7263); www.sane.org beyondblueAustralia’s national depression and anxiety initiative. An independent, not-for-profit organisation working to increase awareness and understanding of depression and anxiety in Australia and to reduce the associated stigma. 1300 22 4636; www.beyondblue.org.auNon-English language supportTranslating Interpreting Services (TIS) NationalTelephone and on-site interpreting service for people who don’t speak English and for people supporting them131 450; www.tisnational.gov.au/ Mental Health in Multicultural AustraliaTranslated mental health resources and informationwww.mhima.org.au/SANE AustraliaTranslated mental health fact sheets and podcastswww.sane.org/
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