Getting help

If you or someone you know struggles with mental health issues or feels overwhelmed, please remember you are not alone.

If you or someone you know struggles with mental health issues or feels overwhelmed, please remember you are not alone.

There are many people and services that can give you help and support.

Emergency assistance

If your situation is life-threatening, call Triple 000 immediately for help or visit your nearest Emergency Department.

General Practitioners (GPs)

If you are experiencing mental health issues, your GP is your best first point of contact. They will work with you to develop a mental health care plan that suits your needs.

To find a GP, please visit Find a Health Service.

Psychologists

Psychologists can help treat mental health issues through psychological treatment and interventions.

You can see a psychologist under a Medicare funded mental health care plan. To set up a mental health care plan speak to your GP. Under the plan, you will be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to ten sessions in a year, with some allied mental health services.

For more information, please visit:

Mental Health Crisis Service

Access Mental Health

Access Mental Health is a free telephone intake, referral and information service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all residents of the ACT. Access Mental Health offers a first point of contact for people concerned about their mental health and wellbeing or experiencing a mental health crisis. This service provides a streamlined process for mental health screening, telephone assessment and referral. People may also wish to contact this service about the welfare of a friend or family member, or you may be referred to this service by someone who is concerned about you, such as your general practitioner. Mental health workers will be able to determine how quickly you may require assistance and which type of health service may be the most appropriate for your needs.

Contact

Phone: 1800 629 354 (free call except from mobiles)

More information about this service

Home Assessment and Acute Response Team

The Home Assessment and Acute Response Team (HAART) offer a free service to all residents of the ACT who are experiencing an acute exacerbation of a mental illness and/or severe psychological or emotional distress. HAART provides home based mental health crisis assessment, short term treatment and support, and referral pathways for ongoing hospital and community care. Referrals to HAART are accepted through Access Mental Health.

More information about this service

Crisis Support 24/7

Lifeline Australia

Lifeline provides 24 hour phone support if you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide.

Contact

Phone: 13 11 14
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service

The Suicide Call Back Service provides crisis counselling to:

  • people at risk of suicide
  • someone who is suicidal
  • carers
  • people who have lost someone to suicide.

You can also get up to six session of ongoing counselling with the same counsellor at scheduled times. This ongoing counselling is available if you are not receiving professional support elsewhere.

Contact

Phone: 1300 659 467
Website: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline provides help for young people aged 5 to 25 years. The free service is staffed by professional counsellors.

Contact

Phone: 1800 551 800
Website: kidshelpline.com.au

MensLine Australia

Mensline is a telephone and online counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service provides support and information to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way. 

Trained counsellors can also refer you to other services if required.

Contact

Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Website: mensline.org.au

Sexual assault, family and domestic violence line

For anyone in Australia who has experienced, or is at risk of sexual assault, family or domestic violence and their supporters who have not committed the assault.

Contact

Phone: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Website: 1800respect.org.au

Page last updated on: 26 Apr 2022