Crisis help and services
Please note: the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT is not a service provider, nor can we provide direct referrals to particular organisations. Our role is as the peak body advocating for and representing the community-managed mental health sector in the ACT.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of support options and helplines.
In the event of an immediate, life-threatening situation for yourself or anyone else, please call ‘000’ emergency services.
Access Mental Health
An ACT-specific central point of entry to access mental health services, available 24-hours to provide immediate help and mental health services triage.
Ph: 1800 629 354
Lifeline Australia
A 24-hour crisis support service that offers short-term support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe.
Ph: 13 11 14
Suicide Call-Back Service
Available for anyone considering suicide, living with someone considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide.
Ph: 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue
A 24-hour support line, web-chat, online forums and a vast amount of information about mental illness, supporting others and how it affects specific groups of people.
Ph: 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline
A free, private and confidential 24-hour phone and online counselling service for young people aged five to 25 years.
Ph: 1800 55 1800
MensLine
A 24-hour crisis support service for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress and wellbeing.
Ph: 1300 78 99 78
Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling
Free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, and their families, including a 24-hour support line.
Ph: 1800 011 046
QLife
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships, including a phone line and webchat from 3pm to midnight every day.
Ph: 1800 184 527
13Yarn
13YARN is a national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, 24 hours a day.
Ph: 13 92 76
Mindspot
Telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 6pm on Saturday.
Ph: 1800 61 44 34
SANE Australia
Guided service combining digital and telehealth supports, tailored to the needs of people affected by complex mental health issues.
Ph: 1800 197 263
Blue Knot Foundation
For adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, and those close to them; provides support from 9am to 5pm every day.
Ph: 1300 657 380
Mindmap
A telephone and online portal helping children and young people (up to 25 years of age) to navigate Canberra’s mental health system and find the right service and support, from 11am to 10pm every day.
Ph: 1800 862 111
eheadspace
Mental health and wellbeing support, information and services for young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families, from 9am to 1am every day.
Ph: 1800 650 890
Butterfly Foundation
For people with eating disorders or body image issues, is available from 8am to midnight, every day.
Ph: 1800 33 4673