Finding Mental Health Support

Alcohol and Drug Foundation has comprehensive information and a list of resources available across Australia. Information and advice line – 1300 85 85 84.

The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASST) has a list of agencies across Australia that provide support, advocacy and treatment.

Carers Australia offers information, resources and access to support groups. Or call 1800 242 636.

• Kids Helpline offers web-based, email, or telephone counselling for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. Or call 1800 55 1800.
• ReachOut has information and downloadable apps on a range of mental health and related issues that affect teenagers and young adults.
• Headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, has information on trauma and mental health, where to get help, and online support.
• The Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COMPI) resource centre provides information, resources and access to services.

Several organisations offer access to information, resources and services, including:

• Beyond Blue
• UNSW/ St Vincent’s Hospital Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression
• Blue Pages Depression Information
• Mood Gym

Phoenix Australia’s Disaster Mental Health Hub is a one-stop-shop for those who support individuals and communities impacted by disasters. Visit the Disaster Mental Health Hub.

Other helpful web resources include:

• The Red Cross has information, advice, and resources for kids, teenagers, teachers, and parents. Visit Red Cross.
• https://www.cstsonline.org/fact-sheet-menu/disasters – Disaster response and recovery fact sheets from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
• https://istss.org/public-resources/trauma-basics – Trauma fact sheets from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

• National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service can provide the names and contact details of agencies and support groups throughout Australia. Call 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.
• Immigrant women’s domestic violence services: there are several services in each state and territory. Visit safeandequal.org.au for a list of services in Victoria and speakout.org.au for a list of services throughout New South Wales.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) maintains a  directory of psychologists in private practice, listing the issues they work with. Call 1800 333 497, send an email request via https://psychology.org.au/about-us/contact-us/aps-find-a-psych or search the list at APS Find a Psychologist.

To find accredited mental health social workers, visit the Australian Association of Social Workers.

• ADF all hours support line call 1800 628 036 for confidential support for ADF members and their families or 1800 467 425 (1800 IMSICK) – health support for ADF personnel.
• Visit Defence Health Service for targeted health resources.
• Department of Defence Mental Health Online has information and links to emergency services, support lines, programs and policies.
• Defence Member and Family Support provides support services to Defence members and their families Australia wide or call 1800 624 608, or email memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au.

Parentline provides telephone counselling to parents and carers of children aged 0 to 18 years.

• For NSW visit NSW Parentline or call 1300 1300 52.
• For Victoria visit Victoria Parentline or call 13 22 89.
• For Queensland and Northern Territory visit Qld & NT Parentline or call 1300 30 1300.
• For WA visit WA Parentline or call 08 9368 9368 or 1800 111 546.
• For SA visit SA Parentline or call 1300 364 100.
• For ACT visit ACT Parentline or call 02 6287 3833.
• For Tasmania visit Tasmania Parentline or call 1300 808 178.
• Information on how to talk to children and teenagers about their problems and where to find help, as well as online and telephone support, is available through headspace at https://headspace.org.au/friends-and-family/life-issues/ 

• Australian PTSD guidelines
• PTSD symptoms
• The Traumatic Stress Clinic provides free, evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic grief in Sydney.
• National Center for PTSD (US Veterans Affairs)
• Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (US organisation)

• Motor Accidents Authority – NSW
• Transport Accident Commission – Victoria
• Road Trauma Support Services, Victoria
• Motor Accident Insurance Commission – Qld
• Insurance Commission of WA
• Road Trauma Support WA
• CTP Insurance Regulator – SA
• Road Trauma Support Team of South Australia
• Motor Accidents Injuries Commission – ACT
• Motor Accidents Insurance Board – Tasmania
• Road Trauma Support Team, Tasmania
• Motor Accidents Compensation Commission – NT

• National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service 1800respect.org.au has a list of the main sexual assault services in Australia.

Crisis lines

• Sexual Assault Services – NSW – See weblink for local number to call based on region
• Sexual Assault Support Services – Victoria – Call 1800 806 292
• Sexual Assault Services – Queensland – Call 1800 010 120
• Sexual Assault Resource Centre – WA – Call 1800 199 888
• Sexual Assault Support Services – SA – Call 1800 817 421
• Domestic and Sexual Violence Community Services – ACT – Call 02 6247 2525
• Sexual Assault Support Service – Tasmania – Call 1800 697 877
• Sexual Assault Referral Centres – NT – Call 08 8922 6472 or 08 8955 4500

• The Department of Veterans’ Affairs can provide information and referral advice. Call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) is a specialised, free and confidential service provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for Australian veterans and their families. Call 1800 011 046, from anywhere in Australia. If you have questions about your eligibility to access Open Arms services, contact your nearest office.

Open Arms offers the following services:

• Crisis counselling (face-to-face or telephone, and an emergency toll-free telephone service)
• Individual, family and group counselling
• Country outreach programs for rural Australia
• Education and information resources
• Case management
• Referrals to other treatment services
• Specialised PTSD treatment programs in most states for veterans and military personnel

See below for a list of support hotlines in each state and territory:

• Victims Services – NSW – Call 1800 633 063, Aboriginal Contact line – 1800 019 123
• Victims of Crime – Victoria – Call 1800 819 817 8am–11pm every day
• Victims Assist – Queensland – Call 1300 546 587
• Victims of Crime – WA – Call 1800 818 988
• Victims of Crime – SA – Call 08 8204 9635
• Victim Support – ACT – Call 1800 822 272
• Victims of Crime – Tasmania – Call 1300 300 238
• Victims of Crime – NT – Call 1800 460 363

• The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) has a list of agencies that provide support, advocacy and treatment.
• Foundation House, the Victorian non-government Foundation for Survivors of Torture and Trauma is also responsible for coordinating the national Forum of Agencies Assisting Survivors of Torture and Trauma.