16 Ways You Can Get Help For Mental Illness In Australia

    You are not alone.

    Jenna Guillaume
    by Jenna Guillaume

    BuzzFeed Staff, Australia

    1. Lifeline - 13 11 14

    lifeline.org.au

    Services provided: Lifeline is a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service. You can call anytime on 13 11 14 for confidential support. You can also use their online crisis support chat seven days a week, between 8pm and 4am AEST. They also have a service finder that will put you in touch with help and support in your area.

    2. Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467

    suicidecallbackservice.org.au

    Services provided:The Suicide Call Back Service is a 24/7 phone and online counselling service for people over the age of 15 who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, or bereaved by suicide. They provide immediate support in a crisis on 1300 659 267, or online (with a possible wait time) here. You can also access up to six addition phone sessions with the same counsellor after you have used the initial service.

    3. Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4646

    beyondblue.org.au

    Services provided: Beyond Blue is a mental health organisation that offers 24/7 phone support on 1300 22 4636, and online support via chats between the hours of 3pm and 12am AEST. You can also send an email and receive a response from a mental health professional within 24 hours. Their website also offers a range of information and resources about mental illness that are incredibly useful, including a search function for a service provider near you.

    4. Salvo Care Line - 1300 36 36 22

    salvos.org.au

    Services provided: 24/7 professional phone counselling and support provided by The Salvation Army on 1300 36 36 22.

    5. Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

    kidshelp.com.au

    Services provided: Kids Helpline is a free counselling service for young people between the ages of five and 25. Call 1800 55 1800 any time, or try a one-on-one chat with a web counsellor between the times listed here. You can also send an email and receive a reply from a counsellor, although wait times vary.

    6. MensLine - 1300 78 99 78

    mensline.org.au

    Services provided: MensLine is a support and information service for Australian men. They offer 24/7 phone support on 1300 78 99 78, and they also offer 30-minute sessions of online chat or video counselling, which you can access here. They also host an online forum for peer support.

    7. Headspace - 1800 650 890

    headspace.org.au

    Services provided: Headspace provides support and information for young people aged 12-25. Their website is full of valuable information on mental health, and Headspace centres around Australia provide face-to-face information and support. You can also access eHeadspace for online chat support, or call 1800 650 890 for phone support, seven days a week between 9am and 1am AEST. They also have email support services that respond to you within 48 hours.

    8. Reach Out - au.reachout.com

    au.reachout.com

    Services provided: Reach Out is a youth mental health organisation aimed at providing information and support to people under the age of 25. Their website contains information and resources on all kinds of mental health-related topics, and also hosts a forum for peer support.

    9. Sane Australia - 1800 18 7263

    sane.org

    Services provided: Sane Australia is a mental health organisation focused on education and support. They offer an information and support line weekdays between 9am and 5pm AEST on 1800 18 SANE (7263) and an online chat (with varying wait times).

    10. MindHealthConnect - mindhealthconnect.org.au

    mindhealthconnect.org.au

    Services provided: MindHealthConnect is a website full of information and resources on mental illness, where you can find extensive listings of programs and services that can help you.

    11. BluePages - bluepages.anu.edu.au

    bluepages.anu.edu.au

    Services provided: BluePages provides comprehensive information on depression and detailed lists of local services and support groups in your area.

    12. MoodGYM - moodgym.anu.edu.au

    moodgym.anu.edu.au

    Services provided: MoodGYM is a free service developed by the Centre for Mental Health Research at Australian National University. It's an interactive training program for young people, designed to help manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety - but notes that it is not a substitute for profressional help.

    13. MindSpot - 1800 61 44 34

    mindspot.org.au

    Services provided: MindSpot is not a crisis service - it offers screening assessments for adults who are struggling with stress, anxiety, low mood and depression, which can be accessed on the phone at 1800 61 44 34, Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm AEST and Saturday 8am to 6pm AEST. You can also get an online screening here. From there you can access a free treatment course, or get help to find services in your area.

    14. eCentreClinic - ecentreclinic.org

    ecentreclinic.org

    Services provided: The eCentreClinic is run by the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University. It provides free online education and treatment courses for people dealing with mental illnesses and other chronic conditions. You can measure your symptoms here or apply for a course here.

    15. Mental Health Online - anxietyonline.org.au

    anxietyonline.org.au

    Services provided: Mental Health Online is an online clinic for people with mental illness, providing free information, assessments and treatment courses. It is run by the National eTherapy Centre at Swinburne University of Technology.

    16. Emergency - 000

    triplezero.gov.au

    Services provided: If you or someone you know's life is in danger, call 000 for immediate assistance.