If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or depressed as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. There are many free mental health support hotlines and services that can help support and get you through these uncertain times. Please, do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Mental Health Phone Support
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue aim to equip you with the skills you need to look after you own mental health and wellbeing, and to create confidence in your ability to support those around them.
- Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
- Website: www.beyondblue.org.au
headspace
headspace began in 2006 to provide tailored and holistic mental health support to 12 – 25 year olds. With a focus on early intervention, they work with young people to provide support at a crucial time in their lives – to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.
- Phone: 13 11 14 (Lifeline)
- Website: www.headspace.org.au
Kids Helpline
For anyone 25 or under – Kids Helpline is a free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
- Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
- Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au
Lifeline
For all ages – 24-hour crisis support telephone service. Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
- Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7) or text 0477 131 114 (6pm-midnight)
- Website: www.lifeline.org.au
Gidget Foundation Australia
Gidget Foundation Australia provides free psychological support (with a mental health plan and GP referral) to expectant and new parents who are experiencing or at risk of perinatal depression and anxiety. They have Gidget Houses in North Sydney, the Mater, North Shore Private’s Hospital and recently opened Manly.
Since COVID-19, they have moved all face-to-face appointments to Telehealth.
- Phone: 1300-851-758
- Website: www.gidgetfoundation.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
A nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide, experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide. For all ages – 24-hour crisis support telephone service.
- Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
- Website: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
SANE Australia
SANE Australia supports people living with complex mental health issues and the people that care about them.
- Phone: 1800 187 263 (10am-10pm)
- Website: www.sane.org
Parentline
Amid all the disruptions and worries that are around at the moment, many parents have never felt more alone. Parent Line counsellors are here 7 days a week. Compassionate and non-judgemental support is just a phone call away.
- Phone:1300 1300 52
- Website: www.parentline.org.au
QLife
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talking about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
- Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight)
- Website: www.qlife.org.au
Mental Health Line
A mental health professional will answer your call about mental health concerns for you or someone you are concerned about, including children, teens, adults and older people.
- Phone: 1800 011 511 (24/7)
- Website: www.health.nsw.gov.a
Carers NSW
Carer Line offer emotional support, referrals and distribute carer specific resources and information to carers and community members.
- Phone: 1800 242 636 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
- Website: www.carersnsw.org.au
Child & Youth Mental Health Service – Hornsby
This service consists of a team of mental health clinicians who provide specialist mental health intervention to children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems and their families.
- Phone: 9485 6155
- Website: www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au
Telehealth
From today, Monday 30 March, you can book a phone or video consultation with GP, Psychologist or other allied health available using Medicare.
Services will include GP services and some consultation services provided by other medical specialists, nurse practitioners, mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, services to people with eating disorders, pregnancy support counselling, services to patients in aged care facilities, children with autism, and after-hours consultations. Telehealth info
Mental Health Online Resources
Raising Children
Find information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and protective hygiene, plus tips to help you and your family cope.
- Website: www.raisingchildren.net.au
Reachout
Their mission is to deliver innovative e-mental health services that enable young people to take control of their mental health and wellbeing.
- Website: www.au.reachout.com
Black Dog Institute
Primary areas of mental health research and treatment include: depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, workplace mental health, adolescents and young people, suicide prevention, e-mental health, and positive psychology and wellbeing.
- Website: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
The BRAVE Program
BRAVE-ONLINE is an evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) available online to help children (8-12) and teenagers (13-17) cope with anxiety
- Website: www.brave-online.com
Mental Health Apps
Calm Harm
Calm Harm provides tasks that help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. You can add your own tasks too and it’s completely private and password protected.
- Cost: Free
- Download: App Store or Google Play
Clear Fear
Face your fear with the free Clear Fear app and learn to reduce the physical responses to threat as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions.
- Cost: Free
- Download: App Store or Google Play
ReachOut Worry Time
ReachOut WorryTime interrupts repetitive thinking by setting aside your worries until later, so you don’t get caught up in them and can get on with your day. This means you can deal with worries once a day, rather than carrying them around with you 24/7.
- Cost: Free
- Download: App Store
ReachOut Breathe
ReachOut Breathe helps you reduce the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety by slowing down your breathing and your heart rate with your iPhone.
- Cost: Free
- Download: App Store
Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is a meditation app for young people. It has been developed by a team of psychologists and uses mindfulness to boost calmness, contentment and clarity. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to help manage stress, resilience, anxiety, depression and improve general health and wellbeing.
- Cost: Free
- Download: App Store or Google Play
Family Violence Support Numbers
1800RESPECT
Confidential information, counselling and support service, open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
- Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7), 13 14 50 (Interpreter)
- Website: www.chat.1800respect.org
Child Protection Helpline
If you are concerned about a child and their wellbeing, you can lodge it with the NSW Mandatory Reporter Guide
- Phone: 13 21 11
- Website: www.reporter.childstory.nsw.gov.au
Mensline
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. They’re here to help anywhere, anytime.
- Phone: 1800 600 636
- Website: www.mensline.org.au
Relationships Australia
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. They’re here to help anywhere, anytime.
- Phone: 1300 364 277
- Website: www.relationships.org.au
