Get Support
If you are in a crisis situation, are feeling suicidal, are having thoughts of hurting yourself in some way, or need to speak with someone urgently, please visit our Urgent Help page.
Where to find additional support
Perinatal telehealth / helplines / websites
- COPE Centre of Perinatal Excellence: A website providing support and resources for the emotional challenges of becoming a parent.
- Gidget Foundation Australia (1300 851 758): A bulk-billed telehealth and face-to-face (Sydney) counselling and support service for new and expectant parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety.
- Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA)(1300 726 306): A national helpline for parents that provides support and resources around parenting and perinatal mental health and wellbeing. They also have a podcast where you can hear from new parents and learn practical tips from perinatal anxiety and depression experts.
- Karitane: A nationwide service providing free parental support, education and advice, including virtual home visits for new mothers.
- ForWhen (1300 24 23 22): A national care-navigation phone line that connects new and expecting parents or carers to perinatal and infant mental health services and supports in their local area.
Digital programs
- THIS WAY UP Clinic’s ‘Postnatal Anxiety and Depression Program: A digital program for people who gave birth in the past 12 months (self-help program: $35 for 90 days access, or clinician supported program: free access).
- Triple P: Positive Parenting Program: A free online parenting program for families with children under 12 years of age.
- Head to Health: A free, online confidential service that connects people to mental health support
- SANE (1800 187 263): A face-to-face, phone or online support for people with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends and communities.
- Beyond Blue (1300 224 636): A 24-hour telephone counselling support, online chat, and links to local services for people experiencing anxiety or depression, and their families.
- Mindspot (1800 614 434): A free psychological telehealth and online service for adults experiencing mood or anxiety issues. They offer multiple online courses, including:
- Wellbeing course: For people aged 25-65 experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Mood mechanic: For people aged 18-25 experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety
- THIS WAY UP (02 8382 1437): Online self-help ($59) and clinician-guided programs (no cost) for a range of mental health concerns, including depression/low mood, social anxiety, excessive worry, panic attacks, and more.
- 13YARN (13 9276): A free nationwide 24/7 service, offering a one-on-one yarning opportunity with a talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter in a culturally safe environment.
- Australasian Birth Trauma Association: A peer-led support services for people affected by birth-related trauma.
- Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA)(1300 726 306): A national helpline for parents that provides support and resources around parenting and perinatal mental health and wellbeing, including trauma.
- Mindspot(1800 614 434): Offer an online course designed to help adults (aged 18+) manage anxiety and low mood following traumatic experiences.
- Thirrili: An emotional and practical support to families impacted by a loss from suicide or other fatal traumatic incident and is led by First Nations People.
- 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732): A support for support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
- Child Abuse Prevention Service (02 7232 0422): A non-government, non-religious charity dedicated to the prevention of all forms of child maltreatment. They offer a range of community education programs and services.
- Full Stop Australia (1800 385 578): A confidential, trauma specialist counselling for people of all genders who are impacted by violence and abuse, as well as their friends, colleagues and family members.
- Victims Support (Victims Access Line 1800 633 063): A service offering up to 22 hours of free counselling and financial assistance for anyone who has experienced an act of violence in NSW, including assault, sexual assault, and domestic violence. There doesn’t need to be a charge or a conviction for the victim to receive support.
- There are also options for financial support as a victim of family domestic violence e.g.
- The Salvation Army: A national service to support women and children impacted by domestic and family violence.
- NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 656 463): A free 24/7 counselling and referral service.
- Alcohol & Drug Information Service (1800 250 015 for the national hotline or 02 8382 1000 for Sydney metro): A telehealth service providing information, services in your area, crisis counselling and support about alcohol and drugs. They also have an online WebChat option.
- Counselling Online: A free drug and alcohol online counselling, available 24/7.
- Reach Out: An online mental health service providing practical tools and support to help young people get through everything from everyday issues to tough times. They offer a peer chat option, where peer workers who have experience with mental health challenges use their experience to support others.
- Family Drug Support Australia (1300 368 186): A 24/7 telephone support and information service for families affected by alcohol and other drug issues.
- SMART Recovery: A service offering in-person and online support groups/programs, and online support manuals that provide practical advice, tools and guidance for people who are seeking support for addiction or problematic behaviours, or their families.
- The Daybreak App: An app that provides strategies to start making a change to drinking habits.
- MotherSafe service (02 9382 6539 or 1800 647848): A comprehensive telephone counselling service for women and their healthcare providers concerned about substance exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They also provide a range of factsheets related to breastfeeding and pregnancy.
- Speak to your General Practitioner (GP). Consulting with your GP to obtain a Mental Health Care plan can be a valuable step to connect with a psychologist who specialises in mental health and/or substance use concerns. If you have a mental health care plan, the Government will pay some or all of the cost of up to 10 sessions with a mental health expert. Here are the steps for obtaining a Mental Health Care plan.
- Contact new or existing mental health practitioners such as a psychologist, psychiatrists, counsellors. Your GP may have suggestions for health professionals you can see in your local area.
- Here is a link to the Australian Psychological Society websitewhere you can search for additional psychologists by location and mental health concern.
- You can also go to the ‘Find a Clinical Psychologist’ on the Australian Clinical Psychology Association
