A Safe Haven is a place you can go if you’re feeling distressed or having suicidal thoughts.
It is a safe place where you can talk openly about how you are feeling and what you’re going through.
A place where you can feel supported and not judged.
You can talk to a peer-support worker who may have experienced what you’re going through, or to a mental health professional.
If you don’t feel like chatting, you can spend time in a quiet space and listen to music.
It’s free and you don’t need an appointment.
There are Safe Havens throughout NSW. Find your nearest one.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many Safe Havens continue to open as usual while some locations may have changed hours or requirements. This might include virtual-only support or temporary closure. Please check the information for the Safe Haven you want to attend or call before visiting.
If you are in suicidal crisis, please contact the 24-hour Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 or call 000 for emergencies.
The direct phone number for a service may not always be able to provide immediate assistance.
Address: Old War Vets Road, Thomas Street entrance, Broken Hill NSW 2880.
On the grounds on Broken Hill Health Service, next to the Far West Recovery Centre
Open: Tuesday to Friday 4:30pm-10pm, Saturday 11am-4pm
Phone: 0418 442 767
Email: safehavenfw@missionaustralia.com.au
COVID-19 info: To attend the service, please call to book a time slot. If in crisis, please present to Broken Hill hospital Emergency Department where a Safe Haven peer worker will attend to support you.
Address: 80 Woodhouse Drive, Ambarvale NSW 2560
Open: 2pm-9pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Phone: 0457 093 109 (available during service open times)
Email: SWSLHD-CampbelltownSafeHaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Website: https://www.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/MentalHealth/safe.html
COVID-19 info: open virtually and mask to mask
Address: St Vincent's O'Brien Centre (Community Mental Health), 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Open: 12pm-4pm Saturday and Sunday; 5pm-8pm Wednesday
Email: SafeHavenCafe@svha.org.au
Address: 2/29 Church St, Dubbo NSW 2830
Open: 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Phone: 1800 011 511 (NSW Mental Health Line) or (02) 6881 4000 (Community Mental Health) or 0436 850 152
Persons under 16 years are encouraged to attend with a responsible adult when able to do so. No referral required
Address: 89 Holden Street, Gosford NSW 2250.
Currently telehealth only
Open: 12:30pm-4pm Tuesday and Thursday
Phone: (02) 4320 5203
Address: 81 Kooyoo Street, Griffith NSW 2680
Open: 2pm-9pm Friday to Sunday
Phone: 0497 447 955
Email: MLHD-Griffith-SafeHaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Address: Kirk Place, Unit 1-2, Ground Floor, 15 Kensington Street, Kogarah NSW 2217
Open: 5pm-9pm Friday to Tuesday
Phone: (02) 9113 2981
Email: SESLHD-safehaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Website: https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/safehaven
Facebook: Safe Haven (St George)
Address: 60 Uralba Street, Lismore NSW 2480
Open: 6pm-9:30pm Monday, 3:30pm-9:30pm Friday, 2:30pm-9:30pm Saturday and Sunday
Email: NNSWLHD-LIS-Safehaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Address: 22 Stewart Avenue, Hamilton East NSW 2303
Open: 4pm-9pm Friday to Sunday
Email: HNELHD-NewcastleSafeHavenHub@health.nsw.gov.au
Service is available to persons aged 12 years and above. No referral required
Address: 168 Missendon Road, Newtown NSW 2047
Open: Wednesday to Friday 10am-4pm
Phone: (02) 9562 5830
Email: SLHD-SafeHaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Address: Ground floor, Suite 3, 195-199 Clarinda Street, Parkes NSW 2870
Open: Temporarily reduced to 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Phone: 0428 228 097
Email: wnswlhd-parkes-safehaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Visitors under 16 will be asked to seek out a responsible adult to join them at the Safe Haven. During school hours referrals will be directed to the Parkes Community Mental Health Team.
Penrith Head to Health
Address: 111 Henry St, Penrith, New South Wales 2750
Open: 1pm - 9:30 pm Mon, Wed - Sunday (including public holidays), 1pm - 5pm Tuesday
Address: Community Mental Health, Wrights Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Open: 2pm-8pm Thursday to Sunday
Phone: (02) 5524 2000
Christmas/ New Year info: This service will be closed from Saturday 24 December 2022, re-opening Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Address: C1 East, Level 1, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick NSW 2031
Open: Monday to Friday 12pm-5pm
Phone: 0439 387 939
Email: SCHN-SCH-MHSafeHaven@health.nsw.gov.au
This Safe Haven supports young people aged 16 years and under
Address: 214 Bridge St, West Tamworth NSW 2340
Email: HNELHD-TamworthSafeHavenHub@health.nsw.gov.au
Address: 3/24 Minjungbul Drive, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486
Open: 12pm - 6pm Friday to Monday
Email: NNSWLHD-TWE-TZSIC-SAFEHAVEN@health.nsw.gov.au
Address: 7 Yathong St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Phone: 0497 422 937
Email: MLHD-Wagga-SafeHaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Address: 26 Grand Avenue, Westmead NSW 2145
Open: Sunday to Wednesday, 3.30pm – 9.30pm
Phone: 0436 377 113
Email: wslhd-safehaven@health.nsw.gov.au
Address: 55 Urunga Parade, Wollongong NSW 2500
Open: 2pm-10pm Wednesday to Saturday
Phone: 0401 561 164
Email: wollongong.safehaven@stride.com.au
Website: https://stride.com.au/
The Safe Haven initiative provides a calm, culturally sensitive and non-clinical alternative to hospital emergency departments, for people experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts.
Safe Havens are staffed by peer-support workers and other mental health professionals.
There are 20 Safe Havens being established in NSW. These Safe Havens will be based on, or near, hospital grounds, with suicide prevention staff and mental health clinicians on hand to offer emotional support and provide information on available services.
People with lived experience of suicide are helping to co-design models of care for Safe Havens that are tailored to their communities and local health districts.
If urgent medical attention is needed the emergency department is close by.
Safe Havens aim to:
