Home Getting help and support

Getting help and support

We know all too well how challenging it can be getting help and support for our mental health and wellbeing.

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For immediate mental health support

People can contact their local community mental health - service telephone triage line, or their local hospital’s crisis and assessment treatment team (CATT) or psychiatric emergency team (PET). 

Go to Accessing Mental Health Services - Victorian Government Health Information, Australia to find your local Mental Health Service. Alternatively, you can phone Nurse On Call (Victoria only) to assist you with finding this information – 1300 60 60 24.

In an emergency:

You can call 000 for police or ambulance assistance.

If there is risk of serious harm or suicide:

You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Line Victoria on 1300 651 251.

Getting help and support

For long term support, the first-line treatment recommended for people living with personality disorder or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is diagnosis-appropriate therapy with a therapist. 

Spectrum is a specialist service for personality disorder and complex trauma and a referral is required from an Area Mental Health & Wellbeing Service to be considered for treatment at Spectrum. Refer to our Treatments page for more information.

For other types of help and support, we have listed a number of services below.

Community based services

There are a number of community based services you can reach out to for mental health support. Some of these are:

Victorian mental health services

Each health catchment area in Victoria has a community mental health service. You can find your local service at health.vic.gov.au, or here: Accessing Mental Health Services - Victorian Government Health Information, Australia. Follow the link, choose the letter that your town or suburb begins with, scroll down until you find your suburb or town. Then, toward the right, you will find ‘adult’, ‘child and adolescent’, ‘aged’ and ‘disability’. Click on the kind of service you need and a new page will open up containing a list of services in your area.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Local

Mental Health and Wellbeing Local - Better Health Channel. There are new services opening across Victoria to provide local mental health and wellbeing support to Victorians. Follow the link to find out more.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs - Better Health Channel. The hubs are available for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or having a difficult time. Drop in to one of the walk in services or call 1300 375 330 to speak to someone directly over the phone.

For youth

Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation is funded by the Federal Government to help young people with mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study support. There are many Headspace Hubs throughout Victoria. Find a centre - Australia wide | headspace.

Telephone and web-based services

  • LifeLine: (Australia wide) 13 11 14
    Free, anonymous 24/7 Australia-wide crisis support
    Telephone, online chat, and text chat service
  • SuicideLine:  (Vic based) 1300 651 251
    Free and anonymous telephone and online chat support
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Victoria
  • Suicide Call Back Service:  (Australia Wide) 1300 659 467
    Free telephone and online chat service for people having suicidal thoughts, as well as friends, family, and clinicians who are supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts
  • SANE Australia: (Australia wide) 1800 187 263
    10am-10pm Monday to Friday and online chat
    For people with recurring, persistent, or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends, and communities
  • MensLine Australia:  (Australia wide) 1300 789 978
    Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone counselling and online chat for men experiencing distress, anger, violence, stress, addiction, and wellbeing concerns
  • 13YARN: (Australia wide) 13 92 76
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone service run by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis support workers
    Free and confidential, no judgment, no shame – a safe place to yarn
  • Beyond Blue: (Australia wide) 1300 224 636
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone support and online chat for anyone experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • 1800RESPECT: (Australia wide) 1800 737 732
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week national telephone support and online chat service for people experiencing domestic, family, and sexual violence
  • Safe Steps: (Vic based)1800 015 188
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone support and online chat service for Victorians experiencing family violence and domestic abuse
  • QLife:  (Australia wide)1800 184 527
    3pm – 12pm midnight, 7 days a week telephone support and online chat service providing anonymous and free LGBTI peer support
  • Rainbow Door: (Vic based) 1800 729 367
    10am-5pm, 7 days a week telephone support and text chat service, free for all LGBTIQA+ people in Victoria
  • DirectLine: (Vic based) 1800 888 236
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week confidential and free telephone support and online chat alcohol and drug counseling service for Victoria
  • Family Drug Support: (Australia wide)1300 368 186
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week national telephone support for families and friends of people who use substances
  • Kids Help Line (for young people): (Australia wide) 1800 551 800
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week free and confidential online and telephone support for young people aged 5 to 25
  • Befrienders Worldwide (International): International directory for Global Suicide Prevention support and information.