Need to Talk?
Support & Information Contact Points for Young People.
Hang a copy of this list at your school or organisation so young people can find support when they need it.
Crisis Helplines
Emergency Services
(Call if You or Someone You Know are in Danger)
000
emergency.vic.gov.au
Open: 24/7
The number for emergency Police, Ambulance and Fire Department Response.
Lifeline
13 11 14
lifeline.org.au
Open: 24/7
Lifeline is Available 24/7.
Lifeline can help you if you are experiencing emotional distress. They operate a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention line, so you don’t have to face your darkest moments alone.
Lifeline exists to:
- Save lives.
- To provide connection and hope.
- To educate and support.
Lifeline is committed to listening to you with compassion and without judgement to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or who longs to be heard.
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Open: 24/7
The Suicide Call Back Service is a 24 hour, nationwide service that provides free telephone, video and online counselling. You can call them anywhere and anytime on 1300 659 467.
Their professionally trained counsellors have specialist skills in working with suicide-related issues and they can help you to work through the pain and distress you may be feeling.
Kids Help Line
1800 551 800
kidshelpline.com.au
Open: 24/7
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available via WebChat, phone or email anytime and for any reason.
Barwon Child and Youth Triage
1300 094 187
barwonhealth.org.au/services-departments/community-health-services/item/camhs
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a specialist family focused service that provides assessment and treatment for infants, children and adolescents (0-15 years) with complex mental health problems.
CAMHS is made up of a team of professionals that includes child psychiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and psychiatric nurses.
CAMHS provides assessment and treatment for a range of concerns that include for example:
- Severe anxiety and depression
- Self harm
- Difficulty in relating to others
- Suicide attempts or thoughts
- Other symptoms related to emotional problems
- Stress
Help & Support
Headspace
1800 650 890
headspace.org.au/eheadspace
eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help.
For more information and points of contact, visit headspace.org.au/eheadspace.
Chat in a Group
A Group Chat session is your opportunity to speak anonymously online to our mental health professionals and hear from others about a topic that will be discussed.
For more information visit headspace.org.au/eheadspace/group-chat.
Chat 1-on-1
Talk about what’s on your mind, get information about what help is available, treatment options and how you can build new coping skills.
For more information visit headspace.org.au/eheadspace/connect-with-a-clinician.
Head to Help
1800 595 212
headtohelp.org.au
Open: Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 5pm
Phone number available Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm.
When you call the Head to Help support line an experienced mental health professional will listen to you and help you find the best ways to get the help that you need.
Depending on your needs you may be:
- Connected with suitable existing services.
- Receive care at the HeadtoHelp hub either onsite or through telehealth.
- Be connected to specialist or acute mental health services, including emergency care.
You can learn more about how Head to Help can help you here.
Rainbow Door
1800 729 367
rainbowdoor.org.au
Open: 7 days, 10am – 5pm
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.
Through advice, referral and support from an experienced LGBTIQA+ peer, Rainbow Door will help LGBTIQA+ people navigate the system to access the supports we need.
Hope Bereavement Centre
4215 3358
bereavement.org.au
Open: 7 days, 10am – 5pm
Hope Bereavement Care represents all people affected by grief in the Geelong and surrounding districts by providing information, support and counselling services.
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
1800 959 563
vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong
Open: 24/7
VAHS have established a free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Yarning SafeNStrong (YSNS) is available to people and families who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing.
COVID-19 has seen many of our community without access to their family and other support, including face to face access to workers from Aboriginal services, leaving many feeling vulnerable and isolated.
They have culturally suitable counsellors you can yarn safely with ‘who get it’, no matter how
big or small the challenge.
Yarning SafeNStrong helpline is available 24/7.
So if you’re feeling like you want someone to talk to maybe give us a call?
They offer support with:
- Social and Emotional wellbeing
- Financial wellbeing
- Medical support including COVID-19 testing
- Drug and alcohol counselling and rehab services
Call 1800 959 563
Email ysns@vahs.org.au
Facebook @YarningSafenStrong
Sexual Assault
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732
1800respect.org.au
Open: 24/7
1800RESPECT is the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.
They provide support for people experiencing, or at the risk of experiencing, violence and abuse, their friends and family.
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre
5222 4318
safvcentre.org.au
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
If you have been impacted by or experienced sexual assault or family violence, The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre can help you.
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre services include:
- Free and confidential trauma informed counselling for adults, children and young people who have experienced family violence and sexual assault.
- A 24-hour crisis care line to support any adult, child or young person who has experienced sexual assault in the past 14 days and needs immediate support.
- 24-hour support for women and women and their children who are leaving a family violence situation and need support.
- A range of additional early intervention, Problem Sexual Behaviour, prevention and training programs.
You can learn more about The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre here.
Family Violence
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732
1800respect.org.au
Open: 24/7
1800RESPECT is the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.
They provide support for people experiencing, or at the risk of experiencing, violence and abuse, their friends and family.
The Orange Door
1800 312 820
orangedoor.vic.gov.au
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
Phone number available toll 24/7.
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
You should contact Orange Door if:
- Someone close to you is hurting you, controlling you or making you feel afraid – such as your partner, family member, carer or parent(s).
- You are a child or young person who doesn’t have what you need to be OK.
- You are worried about the safety of a friend or family member.
- You need more support with the care of children, e.g due to money issues, illness, addiction, grief isolation or conflict.
- You are worried about the safety of a child or young person.
- You need help to change your behaviour and stop using violence in your relationships.
You can learn more about how The Orange Door can help you here.
Homelessness
Youth Entry Point
1800 825 955
bcyf.org.au/youth-services/youth-homelessness
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
BCYF provides a range of support services for young people who find they have nowhere else to live.
These support services include:
- City Limits Refuge
- Crisis Housing
- Transitional Housing
- Support in attaining private rental
- Financial support
Many of the BCYF accommodation programs also include case worker support for an extended period to help you settle in and learn independent living skills.
If you are a young person who is homeless, contact our youth Entry Point on 5226 8900.
For out of hours homelessness assistance please phone 1800 825 955.
The ‘Adulting 101’ support board has some great tips and information to help you navigate any challenge that adulthood might throw at you.