Here Are The Leading Mental Health Helplines And Services In Australia

Having just gone through World Suicide Prevention Day, Australians are waking up today to also ask their loved ones: 'RUOK?'

RUOK Day has been going for 10 years, after being founded by advertiser Gavin Larkin, and is essentially an attempt to get people to talk about how they're feeling.

It can be really hard opening up to those closest to you because you may find yourself worrying they might either have a negative reaction to your thoughts, you don't want to burden them with your issues or they might not be able to properly deal with your situation.

That's why there are loads of services around Australia that can help you, whether they be online, via an instant messaging service or over the phone.

The following is a list of places you can turn to if you're struggling with inner demons.

beyondblue Support Service - Support. Advice. Action
Information and referral to relevant services for depression and anxiety related matters. Phone: 1300 22 46 36/http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute is a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/gettinghelp/overview.cfm

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline (formerly Adults Surviving Child Abuse)
The Blue Knot Helpline provides information and short term counselling nationally via telephone for adults survivors of childhood trauma on 1300 657 380 and email [email protected] seven days a week, 9am to 5pm AEST. http://www.blueknot.org.au

Carer Gateway
Are you one of the 2.5 million Australians who care for a loved one, friend or neighbour? Find out information about the support services available to you, on the Carer Gateway.
www.carergateway.gov.au

Gambling Helpline
Starting to think gambling might be a problem? Find out about the signs of a problem and assess gambling issues and spending. Phone: 1800 858 858/http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

Headspace
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, helping young people who are going through a tough time.http://www.headspace.org.au/

PA

Kids Help Line
Confidential and anonymous, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between five and 25. Phone: 1800 55 18 00/http://www.kidshelp.com.au/

LIfeline
24 hour telephone counselling service. Phone: 13 11 14/http://www.lifeline.org.au/

Mensline Australia
A dedicated service for men with relationship and family concerns. Phone: 1300 78 99 78
http://www.mensline.org.au/

Mindframe-Media
For media and resource information about suicide in Australia. http://www.mindframe-media.info/

MI Networks
Offering access to relevant, up-to-date information, peer support and connections to local community networks, MI Networks members provide a personalised response to the needs of individuals living with mental illness, their carers, friends and family members. Phone: 1800 985 944
http://www.minetworks.org.au/

1800RESPECT
National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling services 24-hour online support for workers and professionals.Phone: 1800 737 732/https://www.1800respect.org.au/

PA

PANDA - National Perinatal Depression Helpline
PANDA's National Perinatal Depression Helpline, funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, provides vital support, information, referral and counselling to thousands of Australian parents and their families.

Callers do not need to have a diagnosis of antenatal or postnatal depression to make contact with the Helpline, PANDA is keen to support any new parent struggling during pregnancy or after the birth of their baby, as well as their partner, family and friends. Phone: 1300 726 306 from Monday to Friday, 9am - 7.30pm (AEST/AEDT)/http://www.panda.org.au/

Parentline
Parent Line is a telephone service for parents and carers of children up to the age of 18 in New South Wales. Phone: 1300 1300 52/http://www.parentline.org.au/

ReachOut.com
ReachOut.com is Australia's leading online youth mental health service. ReachOut.com is an initiative of the Inspire Foundation, an Australian non-profit with a mission to help young people lead happier lives. http://au.reachout.com/

Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. Phone: 1300 364 277/http://www.relationships.org.au/

SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national charity helping all Australians affected by mental illness lead a better life - through campaigning, education and research.

SANE conducts innovative programs and campaigns to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their family and friends. It also operates a busy Helpline and website, which have thousands of contacts each year from around Australia. Phone: 1800 187 263/http://www.sane.org/index.php

The Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly provides support for Australians who suffer from eating disorders and negative body image issues and their carers. Phone: 1800 33 4673/http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS)
Providers counselling and group programs to Australian veterans and peacekeepers and their families. Phone: 1800 011 046

http://www.dva.gov.au/health_and_wellbeing/health_programs/vvcs/access/Pages/index.aspx

So if you need to talk to someone, anyone, there are plenty of unique services out there that can help.

Topics: Interesting, Community, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie