This page lists Australian helplines and websites.

 

If you are looking for help following a traumatic event, your GP is a good place to start. He or she can help confirm what is going wrong and refer you to the right service or practitioner. International visitors should speak with their doctor about help that is available in their area. Phoenix Australia does not provide direct clinical care.

 

For urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for confidential 24/7 counselling and referrals.

 

 

 

 

24-Hour helplines and online support

  • Lifeline – 13 11 14
  • National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service – 1800 737 732 or http://www.1800respect.org.au (online counselling available)
  • Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (free call) or http://www.kidshelp.com.au (online counselling available)
  • MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78 or https://www.mensline.org.au (online and video counselling available)
  • VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service – 1800 011 046 (local call)

 

 

 

 

More help and information topics

 

Alcohol and other drugs

 

Asylum seekers, refugees and migrants who have experienced torture and trauma

 

Carers

 

Children and young people

 

Depression and anxiety

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

  • www.beyondblue.org [link]
  • www.crufad.unsw.edu.au [link]
  • bluepages.anu.edu.au [link to http://bluepages.anu.edu.au]
  • depressioNet [link to http://www.depressionet.com.au]
  • www.moodgym.anu.edu.au [link]

 

Disasters

The Red Cross has information, advice, and resources for kids, teenagers,
teachers, and parents. Visit aftertheemergency.redcross.org.au [link to http://aftertheemergency.redcross.org.au].

Other helpful web resources include:

  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Natural Disasters [link to http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=typ_nd]

  • Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University, Health Sciences: Disaster Response and Recovery Fact Sheets [link to http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/resources/fact-sheet-search]

  • National Center for PTSD Natural Disaster Fact Sheets [link to http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/types/disasters/]

  • International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies: Disasters Resources [link to http://www.istss.org/TerrorismAndDisasters/1705.htm]

 

Domestic violence

National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service can provide the names and contact details of agencies and support groups throughout Australia. Visit www.1800respect.org.au [link]

Immigrant women’s domestic violence services: there are several services in each state and territory. Visit http://www.dvrcv.org.au/talk-someone/services-other-states or www.speakout.org.au for a list of services throughout Australia.

 

Mental health and wellbeing

This government website lists key websites that are available to help you access more information about mental health issues and services

http://www.australia.gov.au/topics/health-and-safety/mental-health

 

Military personnel

  • ADF all hours support line 1800 628 036.
  • Defence health service [link to http://www.defence.gov.au/health/]
  • Defence Directorate of Mental Health [link to http://www.defence.gov.au/health/healthportal/mentalhealthonline.asp]- The DMH has information and links to emergency services, support lines, programs and policies.
  • Defence Force Community Organisation (DCO) [link to http://www.defence.gov.au/dco/ ]-The DCO provides social services to Defence members and their families Australia wide.
  • Defence family helpline provides support, information and connection with your community, including local DCO teams – 1800 624 608

 

Parents

Parentline provides telephone counselling to parents and careers of children aged 0 to 18 years. Visit www.parentline.com.au for Parentline services across Australia or call 13 22 89.

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 www.headspace.org.au/parents-and-carers.

 

Psychologists

The Australian Psychological Society [link to http://www.psychology.org.au/]has a register of psychologists, listing their specialty. Call 1800 333 497.

 

PTSD and trauma

  • Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress [link to http://cstsonline.org/]
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) [link to http://www.nctsnet.org/]
  • National Center for PTSD (US Veterans Affairs) [link to http://www.ptsd.va.gov/]
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Evidence Based Information Resource [link to http://www.som.uq.edu.au/ptsd]
  • Trauma Pages [link to http://www.trauma-pages.com/]
  • The Traumatic Stress Clinic [link to http://www.traumaticstressclinic.com.au/] provides free, evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic grief in Sydney.
  • http://trauma-recovery.net/over/

 

Road and vehicle accidents

 

Sexual assault and sexual abuse

National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service: www.1800respect.org.au has a list of the main sexual assault services in Australia. All states and territories have crisis lines listed in the front page of the White Pages telephone directory.

 

Social workers

For a register of accredited mental health social workers, visit the Australian Association of Social Workers [link to http://www.aasw.asn.au/].

 

Veterans and their families

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs [link to http://www.dva.gov.au/] can provide information and referral advice, 133 25 (metro) or 1800 555 254 (regional)

VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service [link to http://www.vvcs.gov.au/]: 1800 011 046, from anywhere in Australia. A specialised, free and confidential service provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for Australian veterans and their families.

If you have questions about your eligibility to access VVCS services, contact your nearest office.

What services do VVCS offer?

  • Crisis counselling (face-to-face or telephone, and an emergency after hours 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 are available in most states for veterans and military personnel.

 

Victims of crime

A list of victim support hotlines in each state and territory, as well as information about other relevant services throughout Australia, is available at www.victimsupport.org.au.

 

Vocational rehabilitation

For help to return to work visit www.crsaustralia.gov.au