Mental health line services and support available for all Australians
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Mental health line for Australians who need help services while the pandemic is ongoing and quarantine measures are in place.
Community is all about having a connection with people who can help us feel wanted and loved. The word community can be defined in so many ways, but in its simplest is this; a community is a feeling of belonging. It’s feeling connected to others, feeling accepted for who you are and feeling supported. Having a connection can help us feel wanted and loved.
Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. People struggling with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle or sit in the same church pew.
The COVID-19 pandemic means that many of us are staying at home and doing less in terms of social interactions and exercise. This can hurt your physical
While the pandemic is ongoing and quarantine measures are in place, there is still a way for people who suffer from mental illnesses to get the help and interaction they need.
Here are 24/7 emergency hotlines and support groups you can get in touch with:
Emergency 000
If you are someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital’s emergency care unit.
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma around mental health.
Lifeline – 131 114
24-hour crisis support telephone service. Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Kids Helpline – 1800 011 511
A telephone counseling service for kids aged 5-25 available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
A mental health professional will answer your call about mental health concerns for you or someone you are concerned about whether they are teens, children, adults or older people.
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
This is a national service that provides free 24/7 phone, video or online professional help for people who have been affected by suicide.
Thirrili – 1880 805 801
National Indigenous Critical Response Service provides emotional and practical support to bereaved families and individuals impacted by suicide or other traumatic loss. Thirrili is a non-profit organisation supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Services (ADIS)
Sydney metropolitan: (02) 9361 8000
Regional and rural NSW: 1800 422 599
ADIS provides 24 hour 7 day a week telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs. ADIS counsellors are trained to work with people who are concerned about their own alcohol and drug use, as well as callers who are concerned about their family or friends
Opiod Treatment Line – 1800 642 428
Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm this telephone helpline provides opiate pharmacotherapy information (including methadone and buprenorphine), referrals, advice and a forum for pharmacotherapy concerns.
Carers Australia – 1800 242 636
Carers Australia provides short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support and help services for carers and their families.
Carers NSW – 1800 242 636
They provide information, education and support for carers including carer support groups. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)
The COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) national initiative develops information for parents, their family and friends in support of these kids and young people. This information complements online training courses developed by COPMI for professionals to support families either individually or through community services and programs.
Young Carers Helpline – 1800 242 636
This group gives young carers advice on how to take care of themselves and those they care for.
Youth Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
This group offers information online and phone counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 years old who needs to talk to mental health professionals. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you want to talk to someone else but aren’t sure where to begin, give these mental health line numbers a call. Help will always be given at these places.
It is normal to have ups and downs, but some people are more vulnerable than others since they might be older, live alone or, have chronic medical conditions. If you have family members who struggle with their mental health, reach out to them because it can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Based on a city where the mountain meets the sea and where antique houses line the streets, my mind is free to wonder, to wander and to write.
