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 Health Child and Youth Triage
1300 094 187
barwonhealth.org.au/mhdas/get-help/young-person
Open: 24/7
0-15 years of age
There are many mental health services available for infants and children in our region.
One of these is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service at Barwon Health, which provides specialist mental health services for infants and children aged up to 15 years, and their families and friends.
16-25 years of age
There are many mental health services available for young people in our region, including Jigsaw at Barwon Health.
Jigsaw provides specialist mental health, drugs and alcohol services to young people aged 16 to 25 years.
Barwon Health offers 24/7 help, information or referral via our Mental Health, Alcohol and Drugs Services triage.
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.
Open: 7 days, 9am – 9pm
Phone number available from 9am – 9pm
Geelong Hub located at 8 Station Street, Norlane and is open Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 9:00pm and Weekend and Public Holidays from 1:00pm to 6:00pm
When you call the Head to Health 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 Head to Health 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 Health 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 (Yarning Safe’n’Strong)
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.
We have 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.
We 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
13 Yarn
13 92 76
13yarn.org.au
Open: 24/7
13YARN is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This is your story; your journey and we will take the time to listen. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. We’re here for you.
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
Please note that after hours this number is transferred through to Safe Steps.
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
Please note that after hours this number is transferred through to Safe Steps.
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
Meli Youth Entry Point
1800 825 955
meli.org.au/youth-services/youth-homelessness/
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
Meli provides a range of Youth Homelessness services for young people who have nowhere to live or whose housing is unstable, including crisis housing and financial support.
Meli operates the state-wide youth homelessness access points for Colac and Geelong, servicing the Greater Geelong and Colac catchments.
The team provides an immediate response to young people aged between 16 – 24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and may be sleeping rough, couch surfing or living with family.
The ‘Adulting 101’ support board has some great tips and information to help you navigate any challenge that adulthood might throw at you.