Find help
Find help
For immediate assistance or support please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for confidential 24 hour counselling and referrals.
Australian helplines and websites are listed here. International visitors should talk to their doctor about help that is available in their own area.
ACPMH does not provide direct clinical care. If you need medical or psychological assistance please contact your doctor or health professional.
Helplines and websites
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Statewide sexual assault helpline from the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault
- Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 (free call)
- Mensline Australia - 1300 78 99 78
- VVCS ─ Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service 1800 011 046 (local call)
More help and information:
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Asylum seekers and migrants
- Carers
- Depression and anxiety
- Disaster
- Domestic violence and sexual abuse information
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Military personnel
- Psychologists
- PTSD and trauma
- Road accidents
- Sexual assault
- Torture and trauma
- Veterans and their families
- Victims of crime
- Vocational rehabilitation
Alcohol and other drugs
The Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) has comprehensive information and a list of resources across Australia
The Alcohol and other drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) can give you the number of an information service in your state or territory on (02) 6281 0686
The Right Mix: Your Health and Alcohol website has simple information about standard drinks, facts about alcohol and medication, as well as sleep and health conditions for veterans and their families. Veterans can assess their drinking on the website, find out how to start making changes and where to go for help if they are concerned about their drinking. The site includes resources for practitioners and veterans.
Alcoholics Anonymous - National Office: (02) 9663 1206.
Asylum seekers and migrants who have experienced torture and trauma
The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASST) has a list of agencies that provide support, advocacy and treatment.
Carers
For information, resources and access to support groups, www.carersaustralia.com.au, or call the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on 1800 242 636
Children of parents with mental illness
For information, resources and access to services visit www.copmi.net.au
Depression and anxiety
Disaster
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Natural Disasters
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University, Health Sciences: Disaster Response and Recovery Fact Sheets
- National Center for PTSD Natural Disaster Fact Sheets
- SAMSHA Fact Sheets on Hurricane and Natural Disaster Response
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies: Disasters Resources
Domestic violence and sexual abuse
- The Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre is a statewide Victorian service and provides the name and contact details of agencies and support groups throughout Australia.
- Immigrant women’s domestic violence services: www.iwdvs.org.au or www.speakout.org.au
Mental health and wellbeing
- Department of Health and Ageing
- Better Health Channel, Victorian Government’s health and medical information website
Military personnel
- ADF all hours support line 1800 628 036
- Defence health service
- Defence Force Psychology. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has uniformed and civilian psychologists available in most defence regions. This service is free to currently serving members and can provide assistance for a broad range of issues. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the Psychology Support Section or Unit in your region.
- Defence Directorate of Mental Health - The DMH has information and links to emergency services, support lines, programmes and policies.
- Defence Force Community Organisation (DCO) - DCO provide social services to defence members and their families and are located Australia wide.
Other services
- Medical Officers
- Chaplains
- Mental Health Specialists (via referral)
Psychologists
For a register of psychologists, visit the Australian Psychological Society or call on 1800 333 497
PTSD and trauma
- Centre for the Study of Traumatic Stress
- Facts for Health: posttraumatic stress disorder
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
- National Center for PTSD (US Veterans Affairs)
- Trauma Assist
- Trauma Pages
Road accidents
Sexual assault
The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault has a list of the main sexual assault services in Australia. All States and Territories have crisis lines listed in the front page of your white pages.
Torture and trauma
- The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASST) has a list of agencies that provide support, advocacy and treatment.
- Foundation House, the Victorian non-government Foundation for Survivors of Torture and Trauma is also responsible for coordinating the national Forum of Agencies Assisting Survivors of Torture and Trauma.
Veterans and their families
Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 1800 555 254
VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service: 1800 011 046, from anywhere in Australia. A specialised, free and confidential service provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for Australian veterans and their families.
Who can use VVCS?
- Australian veterans of all conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
- Partners, ex-partners and dependent children of veterans with issues arising from the veteran's overseas service.
- Sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans with issues relating to their parent's service.
- Certain current and ex-members of the Australian Defence force.
DVA entitlement is not required to access services.
If you have any questions about your eligibility to access VVCS services contact your nearest office.
What services does VVCS offer?
- Crisis counselling (face-to-face or telephone, and an emergency after hours toll-free telephone service)
- Individual, family and group counselling
- Country outreach programs for rural Australia
- Education and information resources
- Case management
- Referrals to other treatment services
Specialised PTSD treatment programs are available in most states for veterans and military personnel. For more information PTSD Treatment programs for veterans and military personnel.
Victims of crime
For information about services throughout Australia visit www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au. All states and territories have victim support hotlines listed in the front page of your white pages or at this site.
Vocational rehabilitation
For help to return to work visit www.crsaustralia.gov.au