​​If you or someone you know needs mental health and/or suicide prevention support, please call one of the following services and speak with someone.

All of these helplines and services can provide support and advice, as well as help guide you to other care options to support your mental health and wellbeing.

If you’ve noticed any friends or family that aren’t acting themselves or you see signs that they might be struggling, check in with them and remember to seek mental health or suicide prevention support if you feel concerned.

 

Help in an emergency

If you or someone you know is in distress or showing signs of imminent risk of harm to themselves or others, help is available:

Supports for all LGBTIQ+ people

  • QLife is a telephone and webchat service that provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referrals for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. QLife can be reached online or via telephone on 1800 184 527, and is open 3pm to midnight, 7 days a week.
  • Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service and provides access to free 24-hour crisis support including online counselling, video chat, text and phone services. Lifeline can be reached online or on 13 11 14.
  • Beyond Blue is a mental health service which provides 24/7 free phone and online counselling. They can be reached online or on 1300 224 636.
  • Head to Health provides information on helplines, apps, digital programs and resources to connect people to mental health supports. For further information visit Head to Health or call 1800 595 212 from 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
  • WayAhead works to educate people on mental health and wellbeing and link them to services and resources. The WayAhead Directory is an online database you can use to find local services, make referrals and access mental health information and resources.
  • The NSW Mental Health Line is a 24/7 free telephone service that can be reached on 1800 011 511. You will speak with a trained mental health professional who can offer mental health advice, complete a brief assessment and make recommendations for appropriate care.
  • Visit a doctor to access further mental health support, such as creating a Mental Health Care Plan.

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

​13 YARN is a national telephone counselling support service for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. 13 YARN can be reached online or via telephone on 13 92 76 and is available 24/7.

Support for intersex people / people with innate variations of sex characteristics

InterLink provides mental health and wellbeing services to people with innate variations of sex characteristics and their family members located anywhere in Australia.

Support for trans and gender diverse people

  • TransHub is an online information and resource platform developed by ACON for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, their allies and health providers. TransHub includes a list of support services that will affirm your gender while providing crisis support and mental health care.
  • The Gender Centre provides a range of specialised services to the trans and gender diverse community in NSW.

Supports for children and young people

  • Kids Helpline is a free, confidential 24/7 online and telephone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 and can be reached via telephone on 1800 55 1800.
  • Twenty10 is a Sydney-based service for young people aged 12-25 that provides a range of specialised services including mental health support, counselling and social support, as well as telephone support and webchat for adults. Twenty10 can be reached online or via telephone on (02) 8594 9555.
  • Headspace provides mental health services to young people aged 12-25 years. Some Headspace centres in Australia also run LGBTIQ+ youth support groups and activities. Further information about services and supports can be accessed on its.
  • ReachOut supports young people aged under 25 years with everyday questions through to tough times. Visit ReachOut - Identity for information and advice on identity, gender and sexuality.

Supports for suicide prevention

  • HERE is an online LGBTQ+ suicide prevention digital hub that provides information on suicide and situational distress. HERE connects people of diverse genders and sexualities and their loved ones, to mental health care, support and resources.
  • Suicide Call Back Service is a free nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone and online counselling and can be reached on 1300 659 467.
  • Safe Haven is a place you can go to talk or just spend time in a quiet space if you’re feeling distressed or having suicidal thoughts. Safe Havens do not require an appointment and are staffed by peer workers with access to mental health clinicians when required.
  • Suicide Prevention Outreach Teams (SPOTs) help people who are in distress, suicidal or at risk of self-harm. SPOTs are a mobile service and can come to you. Contact a SPOT by calling the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or visiting Suicide Prevention Outreach Teams.

Other support services

For more information visit Mental health services and support contact list and LGBTIQ+ resources and supports.

Current as at: Friday 15 December 2023
Contact page owner: Health and Social Policy