Local services directory and online support
The following service guide includes services available for everyone (regardless of age or circumstance) as well as for families, young people, men, LGBTIQ+ people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from migrant and refugee backgrounds and those seeking asylum, and carers.
All services provide confidential support and are legally obliged to protect your privacy and handle your information with care. Many are free or low-cost. Please contact the service directly to find out if it is suitable for you.
For more detail about specific services in your local area visit healthdirect.gov.au. You can also find state-wide phone and online mental health services at health.vic.gov.au.
Here are some options
- Talking to your GP is always a good place to start when you need help.
- Find what you need. The Looking after your mental health and wellbeing guide can help, as can the selection of local services and online support below. This guide and posters to promote it are available in five languages other than English.
- Head to Health ‘Let’s Talk About Mental Health’ posters can also help. Posters to promote are available in five languages other than English.
Need more help? If you need someone to help you find the support you need, call Head to Health 1800 595 212 or visit headtohealth.gov.au. A trained professional will take your call, give you advice about services and support, and if you need it, connect you to a free Head to Health hub, or help you find the support that suits your needs.
Mental health services for:
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Everyone
Head to Health
Free service, for all Victorians, of all ages. Open 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
A trained professional will take your call, give you advice, and if you need it, connect you to a free Head to Health hub or help you find the support that suits your needs.
Call: 1800 595 212
headtohealth.gov.auAlcohol and Drug Support – DirectLine
Free 24-hour alcohol and drug counselling and referral via telephone or online chat.
Call: 1800 888 236
directline.org.auBeyond Blue
Free information and support, chat online, email or join an online community forum.
Call: 1300 22 4636
beyondblue.org.auBlack Dog Institute
Black Dog Institute is the only independent medical institute in Australia investigating mental health research for all ages. Using its unique translational approach allows it to quickly turn world-class scientific findings into clinical services, educational programs and e-health products that improve the lives of people with mental illness.
blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/
CAREinMIND™ Wellbeing Support Service
Free 24/7 online and phone counselling for people living, working or studying in Melbourne’s northern, central and western suburbs.
Call 1300 096 269
careinmind.com.auCommunity health services
Community health services provide free and low-cost assistance, including counselling.
You can find all local community health centres listed on the Victorian Department of Health website.
GriefLine
Free counselling and support to people experiencing loss and grief at any stage in life.
Call: 1300 845 745
griefline.org.auHead to Health online mental health resources
A large range of online programs and resources – find the right digital mental health support for your needs.
Lifeline
Free 24-hour national telephone crisis counselling service.
Call: 13 11 14
Text: 0477 131 114
lifeline.org.au – Online counselling service, further information and service finder.Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs
The Victorian Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs are available to Victorians of all ages who have any mental health or wellbeing concerns.
Support is also available for families, friends and carers of people who are experiencing mental health issues.
Call: 1300 375 330
betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-hubsSANE Australia
SANE has rolled out a new guided service that provides free tailored digital and telehealth support services for people with complex mental health issues and their families and carers. Complex mental health issues include bipolar, schizophrenia, complex trauma, and other diagnoses, as well as co-occurring issues such as autism and intellectual disability.
Suicide Call Back Service
Free 24-hour national telephone and online counselling service for people 15 years and over who are suicidal or bereaved by suicide.
Call: 1300 659 467
suicidecallbackservice.org.auSupport After Suicide
Free all-ages counselling, support groups and online resources for those bereaved by suicide.
Call: 03 9421 7640
jss.org.auSpecialist mental health services
Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Provides immediate telephone access to an experienced mental health clinician who can help determine the type and urgency of the response needed. This is a free service.
Emergency numbers for local government areas (depending where you live):
- Brimbank, Darebin, Hume, Melbourne, Melton, Mooney Valley and Moreland – call: 1300 874 243
- Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Wyndham – call: 1300 657 259
- Macedon Ranges – call: 1300 363 788
- Yarra – call: 1300 558 862
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Families
drummond street services
Adopts a whole-of-family and community-based approach to providing support. Available for personal counselling, parenting classes, seminars, or facilitated groups.
Call:03 9663 6733
ds.org.auForWhen Helpline
ForWhen provides new and expecting parents – mums, dads, and guardians – with a caring, supportive mental health navigation service, to guide you and your family throughout your perinatal journey, from your baby’s conception until their first birthday.
It’s a national support line that connects you to the right service that can help you understand what you’re feeling and provide the guidance and support you need at the right time. All you need to do is call 1300 24 23 22 or visit forwhenhelpline.org.au.
Kids Helpline
Free 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 years.
Call:1800 55 1800
For kids: kidshelpline.com.au/kids
For teenagers and young adults:kidshelpline.com.au/teensPANDA – Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia
Free information and helpline service for women, men and their families who are finding it difficult to cope leading up to or following the birth of a child.
Call: 1300 726 306
panda.org.auParentline
Free phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old, offering counselling and support on parenting issues.
Call: 13 22 89
services.dffh.vic.gov.au/parentline
Safe Steps
Free professional support services for women and children experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone close to them.
Call: 1800 015 188
safesteps.org.au -
Young people
Kids Helpline
Free confidential 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 years.
Call: 1800 55 1800
For teenagers and young adults: kidshelpline.com.au/teensheadspace services
Providing mental health services for young people aged 12-25. Chat at a centre, online, by email, or speak on the phone with a qualified professional.
Call headspace: 1800 650 890
headspace.org.au/eheadspaceheadspace centres near you:
- headspace Collingwood
Call: 03 9417 0150
16 Lulie St, Abbotsford VIC 3067 - headspace Craigieburn
Call: 03 8338 0919
Level 1/340 Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn VIC 3064 - headspace Glenroy
Call: 03 9304 1011
2A Hartington St, Glenroy VIC 3046 - headspace Melton
Call: 03 8065 5600
16 Brooklyn Rd, Melton South VIC 3338 - headspace Sunshine
Call: 03 9927 6222
Visy Cares Hub, 80B Harvester Rd, Sunshine VIC 3020 - headspace Werribee
Call: 03 8001 2366
13/5 Duncans Rd, Werribee VIC 3030
ReachOut
Online community for young people between the ages of 14-25 to chat, connect and support each other.
- headspace Collingwood
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Men
MensLine Australia
Free telephone and online support, information and referral service to help men with relationship and other problems.
Call: 1300 789 978
mensline.org.auYou Got This Mate
A website that provides tips and info to help men reach their best possible mental health.
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LGBTIQ+ people
Mind Equality Centre
The Mind Equality Centre is a safe place for LGBTIQ people that provides psychological and allied health counselling for individuals, couples and families.
Call: 1300 054 284 (13 000 LGBTI)
Email: MindEqualityCentre@mindaustralia.org.au
mindaustralia.org.au/mind-equality-centreQLife
Free telephone and online chat peer support between the hours of 3:00pm to midnight, 7 days per week.
Call: 1800 184 527
Web chat and more information: qlife.org.auqueerspace
queerspace provides low or no-cost confidential counselling, peer support and a range of other services to support LGBTIQ people and their families.
Call: 03 9663 6733
queerspace.org.auRainbow Door
Free telephone and online chat peer support between the hours of 10:00am to 6.00pm, 7 days per week.
Call: 1800 729 367
rainbowdoor.org.auSwitchboard Victoria
Free, peer-driven support services for LGBTIQ people, their families, friends and communities.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Dardi Munwurro
Men’s and family counselling services, including mensline specifically for Aboriginal men.
Call: 1800 435 799
dardimunwurro.com.auDjirra – Family violence support service for Aboriginal people
Free practical support to Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past.
Call: 1800 105 303
djirra.org.auThirrili – National Indigenous Critical Response Service (NICRS)
The NICRS supports individuals, families and communities affected by suicide or other significant trauma. A critical response support advocate can be contacted 24/7.
Call: 1800 805 801
thirrili.com.au/nicrsVictorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
Family counselling and a range of support services for the Victorian Aboriginal community.
Call:
- Preston: 03 9480 7300
- Melton: 03 8746 2776
- Werribee: 03 9742 8300
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Free, culturally safe service for adults and children. Provides social and emotional wellbeing and mental health counselling, cultural healing and recovery programs, care coordination and outreach support, for individuals and families.
Call: 03 9403 3300
vahs.org.auWellMob
Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Yarning SafeNStrong
Yarn safely with culturally suitable counsellors who ‘get it’, no matter how big or small the challenge. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call: 1800 959 563
vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong -
CALD communities
Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association
The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association’s (AVWA) ‘Pathways to Wellbeing’ helps you find mental health services, learn about the new Victorian mental health system and your rights.
The program also gives information about AVWA services, legal services and using interpreters. It does not ask you for any information that would identify you and will help you find services that respect your confidentiality.
Visit the AVWA website for more information.
Centre for Muslim Wellbeing
Centre for Muslim Wellbeing (CMW) provides a list of culturally responsive mental health practitioners and services that meet the needs of multicultural communities. The list includes psychologists, counsellors, social workers and other health professionals. Provider information includes areas of specialisation, contact details, availability, cost and referral information. Visit this page for a list of professionals.
A navigator is also available to help you find what you need across health and social services.
Call 0472 668 010 or email admin@cmw.org.au, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
For more information visit the CMW website.
InTouch – Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Free support services for migrant and refugee women who are experiencing or have had experiences of family violence. 9am-5pm weekdays.
Call: 1800 755 988
intouch.org.auJewish Care
Jewish Care provides Jewish and Israeli individuals and families living in Victoria with a range of culturally appropriate services. These include wellbeing support services, and help navigating the service system to access support. Services are available online or in-person and via self-referral or GP referral.
Call (03) 8517 5999 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Self-referrals are welcome, or visit Jewish Care Mental Health support.
Translating and Interpreting Service
Free interpreter services for people who do not speak English at the cost of a local call.
Call: 131 450
tisnational.gov.au -
Asylum seekers and refugees
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Provides a range of free support services including health care.
Call: 03 9326 6066
asrc.org.au/get-helpCabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub
Free health services for people seeking asylum and newly arrived refugees.
Call: 03 9508 1222
cabrini.com.auFoundation House
Free counselling and support for people who have experienced refugee trauma. Supporting survivors of torture and other traumatic events.
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Carers
Carers Australia – Victoria
Provides information about available supports for carers in Victoria.
Call: 1800 514 845
carersvictoria.org.auCarer Gateway
A free service providing an entry point to carer support services across the country.
Call: 1800 422 737
carergateway.gov.auMind Australia
Provides support to mental health carers through online information and its Carers Help Line.
Call: 1300 554 660
mindaustralia.org.au/resources/carersSANE Australia forums
SANE supports people living with complex mental health issues, and the people who care for them. SANE hosts safe, anonymous mental health discussions which are monitored 24/7 by mental health professionals.
Call: 1800 18 7263
sane.org/forumsTandem
Victorian peak body representing carers of people living with mental illness. Provides a range of lobbying, research, policy, training and support services to family and friends.
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Peer support
Beyond Blue
Join an online forum.
GROW mental wellbeing programs
Offering group peer support in mental health recovery.
Call: 1800 558 268 to find a group near you.
grow.org.auSANE Australia forums
SANE supports people living with complex mental health issues, and the people who care for them. SANE hosts safe, anonymous mental health discussions which are monitored 24/7 by mental health professionals.
Call: 1800 18 7263
sane.org
More services
In addition, our System of Care page includes local services that are funded by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network. This page includes services for mental health, suicide prevention, and alcohol and other drugs treatment and support services.
Resources
You can also access the ‘Looking after your mental health and wellbeing’ booklet in Arabic, Burmese, Karen, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.
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