In an emergency, call triple zero (000).
Triple Zero (000) is Australia’s main emergency number. Use it when a life is under threat or when every minute counts.
Lifeline’s own site gives the same instruction: if life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000).
Support lines
Each number and description below was read on the organisation’s own website, linked in the sources at the foot of this page.
Lifeline
Lifeline’s site also lists a text line, 0477 13 11 14, and a chat service it marks as available 24/7.
Suicide Call Back Service
Free phone and online counselling for people affected by suicide, available 24/7 anywhere in Australia.
Beyond Blue
Free phone and online counselling, open 24/7 to everyone in Australia, according to Beyond Blue.
13YARN
A crisis line open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, where the person you speak to is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. The service is run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline says it is there to talk 24/7, every day and night.
MensLine Australia
Free counselling for Australian men, by phone and online, wherever and whenever it is needed.
Where health support starts
In healthdirect’s guidance, your GP is normally where mental health care begins. A GP can diagnose and treat some conditions themselves, make a mental health treatment plan with you, and refer you to other professionals.
Medicare Mental Health
Medicare Mental Health is funded by the Australian Government and costs nothing to use. It links people with mental health support, and you can use it without a referral or a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Its national phone service is 1800 595 212, weekdays 8:30am to 5:00pm, excluding public holidays.
The healthdirect helpline
The healthdirect helpline, 1800 022 222 (called NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria), puts you through to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Seeing a mental health professional
Counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists are all on healthdirect’s list of mental health professionals, as are occupational therapists and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mental health workers. It also explains that Australian law keeps conversations with a mental health professional confidential. The exceptions are when someone may be harmed, or when a law obliges the professional to pass information on. Turn 2 compares the titles.