If you require assistance in other areas of Australia, the following contact details can assist you in finding mental health services.
The descriptions below provide a brief overview of the way mental health services are organised. There are broadly three main types of services.
Mental health support services
Community based and managed mental health services provide support for people in the context of their daily lives, helping them in their recovery from mental illness.
Mental health crisis services
These consist of hospital inpatient units and crisis assessment teams. They provide support when the person’s condition has deteriorated significantly.
Community-based clinical services
These can include community health centres, mobile treatment services, and intervention teams. They provide ongoing clinical support to people living in the community after a crisis intervention.
Some organisations provide services to people with a specific problem such as an eating disorder, or depression.
ACT, NSW, NT and TAS
| State or territory | Contact details |
| Australian Capital Territory Department of Health |
Canberra Connect (General enquiries): 13 22 81 Mental Health Crisis Team: 1800 629 354 (24hrs) or 02 6205 1065 (24hrs) |
| New South Wales Department of Health |
Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 (24 hour service) |
| Northern Territory Department of Health and Families |
General enquiries: 1800 682 288 (1800 NTCATT) (24 hrs) |
| Department of Health, Tasmania | General enquiries: 1800 332 388 |
Telephone support services and databases of community services
| Support service | Contact details |
| Carers Australia Information about carer support services, including counselling. |
1800 242 636 |
| headspace Online counselling: a confidential, anonymous, secure space where young people can chat or email qualified youth mental health professionals. |
1800 650 890 9am - 1am AEST |
| Infoxchange Service Seeker An extensive directory of community support services across Australia. |
Service seeker search |
| Kids Helpline Kids Helpline is a free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. |
1300 789 978 24 hours a day, seven days a week |
| Lifeline - National Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone crisis support service is available to anyone needing emotional support. Lifeline also has an online service |
13 11 14 24 hours a day, seven days a week |
| healthdirect Australia (National) The 24-hour telephone health advice line is currently available to residents of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. |
1800 022 222 (Calls from landlines are free. Mobile charges may apply) Calls are answered by a registered nurse. |
In an emergency call 000
