Resources
Referral Services And Information
The following information provides support/resources that anyone can access (many are free).
General
In the event of an emergency (threat to the life of a person or threat of harm to others) 000 is the link to fire, medical (ambulance) or police services
Human Services Network (HSN)
This is a free website available to anyone looking for a service in NSW. The site is mobile-ready and works on any internet-enabled device including tablets and smartphones, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mental Health
Lifeline helpline – 13 11 14
24hr Telephone Crisis Support
Beyondblue Support Service – 1300 224 636
The Beyondblue Support Service offers 24/7 confidential telephone support, counselling and referrals from trained mental health professionals. All calls and chats are one-on-one and are completely confidential.
Mensline – 1300 789 978
Mensline Australia is a 24/7 telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues.
Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute website aims to lead you through the logical steps in seeking help for mood disorders, such as depression and bi-polar disorder, and to provide you with information and explanations of different steps along the way.
The website has a range of fact sheets and handouts available for download.
Reach Out Australia
Reachout.com is a youth focused website providing help, information and support. The website has been created in collaboration with young people and experts, to ensure that the information is evidence based and relevant.
SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness through campaigning, education and research. SANE’s website provides fact sheets, publications and videos regarding mental illness, treatments and support, for people living with a mental illness, carers, professionals and students. The organisation also provides an online helpline for more specific information and referral to support agencies.
Mental Health in Multicultural Australia
Headspace
STARTTS
A specialist, non-profit organisation that for the past 25 years has provided culturally appropriate and cutting edge psychological treatment and support to help people heal the scars of torture and refugee trauma and rebuild their lives in Australia.
The NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC)
TMHC is a state wide service that was established in 1993 and hosted within the Western Sydney Local Health District. The TMHC’s mission is to work in partnership with mental health services, consumers, carers and the community to improve the mental health of people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities living in NSW.
NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
The NSW Mental Health Line is a 24/7 telephone triage assessment and referral service, staffed by mental health clinicians. This service can provide advice about clinical symptoms, the urgency of the need for care and information about local service providers.
Partners In Recovery
Support for Children – Stewart House
The Butterfly Foundation National Support Line – 1800 334 673
The Butterfly Foundation National Support Line offers personalised support, coping strategies, guidance, information and referrals, from professionally trained counsellors. The service is available to people suffering from eating disorders or body image issues, carers, partners, family members, friends, teachers, counsellors, employers and health professionals.
Kids Helpline
The Kids Helpline website provides web and email counselling in addition to its telephone support line. It is aimed at young people aged 5 to 25 years and provides an interactive space for kids to explore issues that are important to them. The site features downloadable screensavers and wallpapers, interactive games and activities, information on common concerns and problems for kids, as well as stories from kids who have experienced and overcome challenges in their lives.
Mindhealthconnect
The mindhealthconnect website aims to provide unbiased, trusted and up to date information, online programs and resources, to empower and enable people to make informed choices regarding their mental health concerns.
Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA)
ASCA’s 1300 Line operates between 9am-5pm Monday to Sunday EST*
For help, information, support or referral, call the Support Line on 1300 657 380 or email counsellors@asca.org.au. They offer Professional short-term counselling support, information and referrals for ongoing support, support and guidance for engaging with the Royal Commission
Access to psychological services though a GP:
There are two schemes involving mental health plans that will help cover the cost of getting psychological and allied services:
The ‘Better Access’ Scheme
The Better Access involves community access to mental health professionals and team-based mental health care, with GPs encouraged to work more closely and collaboratively with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, registered psychologists and appropriately trained social workers and occupational therapists.
The Better Outcomes – Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)
Particularly helpful for those experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Through ATAPS, patients are eligible for a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year – six time-limited sessions with an option for a further six sessions following a mental health review by the referring GP.
Alcohol And Drug Addictions
Australian Drug Information Network
Family Drug Support
Drug ARM Australasia
Drug Dangers (specific to prescription drugs)
Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service (ADIS) – 1800 422 599
The ADIS is a confidential and anonymous information, counselling, advice and referral service. Available 24/7, the service provides information such as safer injecting advice, parent advice and information on detoxification.
Gambling Help – 1800 914 408
Online resources:
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Line – 1800 65 64 63 (TTY 1800 671 442)
The Domestic Violence Line is a statewide free-call number and is available 24 hours, seven days a week. Note: Information about women’s refuges is available from this helpline
1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
1800 RESPECT provides sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling by qualified, experienced professionals. The service is available 24/7, to anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, physical or sexual violence.
Family Safety Pack
The Australian Government has developed a family safety pack with information on Australia’s laws regarding domestic and family violence, sexual assault and forced marriage.
The pack aims to reduce violence against women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, by ensuring they understand their rights and where to get support if needed. It also aims to strengthen support for women coming to Australia on a Partner Visa, by providing information on the family violence visa provisions and available support.
The pack includes four factsheets on the following topics:
- Domestic and family violence
- Sexual assault
- Forced and early marriage
- Family violence and partner visas.
The pack also includes a low literacy storyboard.
The pack is a key initiative of the Second Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. Under the Second Action Plan, the Australian Government is committed to understanding and addressing violence against women from CALD backgrounds and improving support available to CALD women.
The pack is available in 22 community languages. For translations please go to https://www.dss.gov.au/family-safety-pack
Homelessness / Financial Difficulties
Foodbank Australia
For details of Foodbank Australia’s availability in a NSW area contact:
Financial counselling
National Hotline 9.30am to 4.30pm on 1800 007 007 to speak with to a financial counsellor
Search online at http://www.fcan.com.au/directory for financial counsellors in an area
Financial Counsellors’ Association of NSW Inc – 1300 914 408
Link2Home – 1800 152 152
The 24/7 State-wide telephone line for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to seek accommodation and support is available through the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
Other
Carer Line – 1800 242 636
This telephone support, information, counselling and referral service is available from 8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays. The service is staffed by experienced carer support officers and is available to carers, service providers and community members.
Parentline – 1300 1300 52 (NSW)
Parentline is a 24/7 confidential telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers of children. Parentline aims to nurture and support positive, caring relationships between parents, children, teenagers and other people important to the wellbeing of families.