National mental health helplines and support groups
Reach out to these mental health helplines and support groups for mental health. They're free for everyone in Australia.
Beyond Blue Support Service and Forums
Beyond Blue Support Service and Forums are here to listen whenever you need brief counselling or to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through.
You might:
- be having a really bad day
- feel overwhelmed and not know where to start
- have diagnosed anxiety or depression
- need help to support a partner, family member or friend.
We can also help you find the right mental health services for you if you need extra support.
Crisis support
Lifeline – crisis support and suicide prevention services for people experiencing emotional distress.
Suicide Call Back Service – counselling for people affected by suicide.
Hotlines for depression, anxiety and other mental health support
MensLine Australia – counselling, support and referral service for men.
Kids Helpline - counselling for kids, teens and young adults aged between 5 and 25.
Open Arms - Military-aware, confidential, and free mental health support for veterans and veteran families. Available 24/7 on 1800 011 046.
Domestic, family and sexual violence helpline
1800RESPECT – counselling and information for people affected by family and sexual violence.
Alcohol and other drug helplines
Counselling Online – online chat counselling for people affected by alcohol or other drug use.
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline– telephone referral to local services.
Gambling helpline
Gambler's Help - support for people with gambling problems, family and friends close to them, and those just wanting to cut back or regain control.
- Gambling Help Online - Free online support for anyone affected by gambling available 24/7 across Australia.
Mental health helplines
The free and confidential helplines listed here have different opening hours. Check the helpline’s website for details.
General mental health support
- MindSpot Clinic – online and telephone assessment and treatment for people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and chronic pain.
- SANE – support and information for people affected by mental health issues and trauma.
Post natal depression support
PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline - support for people throughout pregnancy up until their baby is 12 months old.
Complex trauma support
Blue Knot Helpline - information and support for anyone affected by complex trauma. This includes violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Eating disorders and body image support
Butterfly National Helpline – counselling for people affected by eating disorders.
Youth mental health services and support
- Kids Helpline – 24/7 counselling for kids, teens and young adults aged between 5 and 25.
- headspace - mental health support for young people. Offering phone, chat and online community support.
- ReachOut - mental health service for young people and their parents. Offering self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools.
Wellbeing support helplines
QLife - anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral. Talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
FriendLine – for seniors who need to reconnect or just want a chat.
Carer Gateway – individual and group counselling about the concerns carers have and how they feel about their carer role.
Websites and support groups for mental health
Black Dog Institute – resources and mental health support groups for people affected by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Head to Health – brings together more than 500 digital resources to support your wellbeing and mental health.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health - national platform for Australian mental health services and multicultural communities to access resources, services and information in a culturally accessible format.
Support after Suicide – information and online community for those bereaved by suicide.
Financial support services
See below for key support services and resources available to people needing financial and mental health support.
Help managing money
- National Debt Helpline - provides free financial counselling, practical steps, tools and other information to help get your finances back on track.
Good Shepherd - is a confidential service supporting people who have experienced financial abuse to feel more confident about money.
- Way Forward - is a not-for-profit organisation whose sole purpose is to help people manage and repay their debts.
- Credit Smart - is an online self-help resource designed to help you understand credit reporting and manage your credit information.
Community support services / concessions
- Ask Izzy - a directory of community support services, including emergency housing, meals, money, legal advice, domestic and family violence support
- Department of Social Services - provides a wide range of general concessions, allowances and supplements for various needs
Small / rural business support
- Small Business Debt Helpline - practical steps, tools and other information to help small business owners and sole traders in financial difficulty.
- Rural Financial Counsellors - free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related enterprises
Related information
Find a mental health professional – learn what different mental health professionals do and how to find one near you
Check your mental health – complete one of our simple tools to see how you’re tracking
Suicide prevention – resources and information
