I Need Help Now (Australia)
You don't have to get through this on your own.
If things feel like too much right now, you're in the right place. Below is exactly who to call and what to do, one step at a time. Reaching out takes real courage, and it's one of the strongest things you can do.
In immediate danger right now? If you or someone else is at risk of harm, call 000 now. It's free and answered 24/7.
What to do, one step at a time
There's no wrong way to ask for help. If you're not sure where to start, work down this list.
1. Call 000 if it's an emergency. Especially if you or someone else is in immediate danger. Ask for the ambulance or police.
2. Or head to your nearest hospital. You can go to the emergency department of your closest hospital at any time of the day or night. The team there can help.
3. Call your state or territory crisis line. Each state and territory has a mental health line that can talk things through and connect you with local support. Find yours just below.
4. Or simply talk it through. If you're not in crisis but you'd like to talk, the free national helplines further down are open for you, day and night.
Find your state or territory crisis line
These lines can help in a crisis and point you to local services. If you're helping someone who won't accept support, you can also reach your nearest Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) through your closest public hospital.
Australian Capital Territory
Access Mental Health (open 24/7): 1800 629 354
New South Wales
Mental Health Line (open 24/7): 1800 011 511
Northern Territory
Mental Health Line (open 24/7): 1800 682 288
Queensland
1300 MH CALL (open 24/7): 1300 642 255
South Australia
Mental Health Triage Service (open 24/7): 13 14 65
Tasmania
Mental Health Services Helpline (open 24/7): 1800 332 388
Victoria
Victoria has no single statewide crisis line. Call Lifeline any time on 13 11 14, or SuicideLine Victoria on 1300 651 251. For your nearest area mental health triage team, contact your closest public hospital.
Western Australia
Mental Health Emergency Response Line, Metro (open 24/7): 1300 555 788
Mental Health Emergency Response Line, Peel (open 24/7): 1800 676 822
Lines you can call or text any time
If you're not in crisis but you'd like to talk things through, these free national services are here for you. You can reach out for yourself, or for someone you care about.
Lifeline (open 24/7): Crisis support and suicide prevention for anyone going through a tough time. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
Beyond Blue (open 24/7): Free, confidential counselling for anxiety, depression and everything in between. Call 1300 22 4636.
Suicide Call Back Service (open 24/7): Phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts. Call 1300 659 467.
13YARN (open 24/7): A confidential, culturally safe yarn with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter. Call 13 92 76.
Kids Helpline (open 24/7): Free, private counselling for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800.
MensLine Australia (open 24/7): Support and counselling for men dealing with family and relationship concerns. Call 1300 78 99 78.
1800RESPECT (open 24/7): Support for anyone affected by domestic, family or sexual violence. Call 1800 737 732.
Medicare Mental Health (8:30am to 5pm, weekdays): Free advice that can connect you with mental health services near you. Call 1800 595 212.
When the moment has passed
Once things feel a little steadier, looking after your mental health day to day can make the hard moments easier to handle. That's what Clearhead is here for: practical, bite-sized tools to help you understand what's going on, and a full directory of therapists for when you'd like to talk to someone.
There's no rush, and there's nothing wrong with you. Start whenever you're ready.
These crisis numbers are drawn from healthdirect and state and territory health services, and were correct at the time of publishing. Phone numbers and opening hours can change, so if a line doesn't connect, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you're supporting someone else, encourage them to reach out for professional help early, and look after your own wellbeing too.