Mental health and wellbeing
Keeping our community safe and connected
This page lists a range of important community services.
Mental health and wellbeing services and support
If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000 or visit your nearest hospital.
HeadStart
Head to Health
Mental Health Line
SANE Australia
NSW Government – Domestic and family violence support
1800RESPECT
Confidential information, counselling and support service open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Beyond Blue
An Australian independent non-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses. 24/7 helpline: provides information, referral and brief counselling support.
Lifeline
Crisis counselling and support. Provides compassionate support for people in crisis 24/7.
Suicide Call Back Service
A nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Men's Helpline
Telephone and online counselling service for men in Australia.
Head to Health
The Head to Health website has a range of resources for people who need help coping with anxiety or worry. It also provides links to trusted Australian online and phone supports, resources and treatment options.
Ask Izzy app
Ask Izzy is an app that can help you to find the services you need, now and nearby. It is free and anonymous, and you can search over 360,000 services to find housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice, addiction treatment and a whole lot more. If you’re on the Telstra mobile network, you can access Ask Izzy even if you don't have credit.
PANDA
Mindspot
Black Dog Institute
Headspace
Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
Reach Out
A leading online mental health organisation for young people aged 14 to 25 and their parents.
Kids Helpline
Australia's national 24/7, confidential support and counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25. It offers counselling support via telephone, email and a real-time web platform.
Yarn Safe
Mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 12 to 25.
One Door Mental Health
Through One Door Mental Health, people living with mental illness and their families can find an inclusive community, innovative services and advocacy support. Through One Door Mental Health, people living with mental illness and their families can find an inclusive community, innovative services and advocacy support.
R U OK
GambleAware
National Debt Helpline
Aboriginal support services and helplines
Brother to Brother
A 24-hour hotline supporting Aboriginal men.
Yarn Safe (ages 12 to 25)
Mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 12 to 25.
Financial support and counselling for victims
Financial support and counselling are available if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island person who is a victim of crime, such as family violence or sexual assault. Call the Victims Services Aboriginal Contact Line and ask to speak to the Aboriginal contact officer.
LGBTIQ+ support services and helplines
Twenty10
Twenty10 affirms and supports LGBTIQA+ people across NSW with various programs and services. As the NSW state-based partner for QLife, we’re proud to be able to continue the legacy of the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service that has served to provide peer-to-peer counselling support for LGBTIQA+ folks across NSW for over 50 years.
ACON
We’re here to help LGBTQ+ people and people with HIV take control of their mental health by providing a range of counselling services and a care coordination program for people with complex needs.
Qlife
Provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ peer support and referral.
- Website: Qlife
- Phone: 1800 184 527
Multicultural and linguistically diverse communities
STARTTS
STARTTS is a specialist, not-for-profit organisation that was established in 1988. It provides culturally relevant psychological treatment and support, and community interventions, to help people and communities heal the scars of torture and refugee trauma and rebuild their lives in Australia. STARTTS also fosters a positive recovery environment through the provision of training to services, advocacy and policy work.
Transcultural Mental Health Services
Transcultural Mental Health Centre NSW work with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, health professionals and partner organisations across NSW to support good mental health. Services complement public mental health services (hospital and community) and enhance pathways to care for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Embrace: Multicultural Mental Health
Mental Health Australia is partnering with the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA) and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) to deliver the project.
Older Australians and carers
Carers
To get the support you need contact the Carer Gateway. Support includes counselling, connecting with others via support groups or joining on line , coaching, education and referrals.
Community Visitors Scheme
- Provides older Australians with friendship, companionship and social connection.
- Connects people with volunteers to spend time with them on a regular basis.
- Visits are available to anyone receiving government-subsidised residential aged care or home care.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we are focusing on phone and virtual friendships while physical distancing measures and visiting restrictions are in place.
Australia Red Cross
- Telecross provides a daily morning telephone call to check on the wellbeing of people who are lonely and or at risk of an accident or illness that may go noticed, such as falling and being unable to call for help. The calls are made by trained Staff and Volunteers, 365 days per year, and provide reassurance as well as help to maintain independence.
- TeleCHAT provides a regular telephone call to people who would benefit from a social chat once a week. Sometimes it can be difficult for people to get out to social activities and living alone means they might not always have someone to talk to. TeleCHAT provides a connection to the community.
To find out more about these programs please contact:
Commonwealth funded Seniors home social support program
Email: communityconnect@redcross.org.au
Phone: 1300 885 698
Australia Redcross
Friend Line telephone support service
A free and anonymous telephone service for senior Australians to chat with a volunteer.
- Phone: 1800 4 CHATS (1800 424 287)
Dementia support
Dementia Australia represents the many thousands of Australians living with dementia and offer many support services, information and events.
- Website: https://www.dementia.org.au
- Phone: 1800 100 500
Grief and Loss
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Eating disorders and addiction helplines
Butterfly Foundation
Support for Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues
Mental health support services and contact list
A more detailed directory of helplines, information and support can be found on the NSW Health website:
Suicide support
Prevention, information and support for those impacted by suicide
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, help is available.
Tell someone about what you are thinking, even at the earliest signs.
Please contact one of these services below or speak to your general practitioner.
If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
Life in Mind
A national gateway connecting Australian suicide prevention services to each other and the community.
Suicide Call Back Service
A nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Disability Information Helpline
A new service called the Disability Information Helpline is available for people with disability who need help.
The Helpline is available for families, carers, support workers and services also.
You can contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 to talk about your concerns.
If you are deaf or have a speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
Headspace: What is anxiety & the effects on mental health
Anxiety is a natural response that can boost alertness and motivation in challenging situations. However, it can also become persistent, affecting daily life and causing distress beyond expected circumstances.
Coping strategies like mindfulness and therapy, along with support from professionals and loved ones, play a crucial role in managing anxiety and restoring a sense of balance and well-being. Recognizing and addressing anxiety early can significantly improve one's quality of life and ability to handle stressful situations effectively.
NSW respiratory surveillance - COVID-19 and influenza
Latest surveillance summary
Department of Social Services