Where to seek help in a crisis
If you need emergency support, dial ‘000' for the police or an ambulance, or call Lifeline, a free and confidential 24-hour crisis helpline, on 13 11 14.
While it is our mission to help people learn to manage their anxiety and control their alcohol use, we are not equipped to provide urgent help if you are dealing with a crisis.
If you are in a crisis situation, are concerned about feelings or thoughts of suicide, or need to speak with someone urgently, we urge you to contact the following organisations for immediate assistance:
Where to seek additional (non-urgent) support? Click the headings below for more details.
- Contact your family doctor or general practitioner
- Headspace (1800 650 890) provides free support and psychologist sessions for people under 25, with expertise in helping people with low mood, anxiety, as well as alcohol issues. Call them to arrange an appointment or try their online chat option.
- SANE (1800 187 263) provide face to face, phone or online support.
- Beyond blue (1300 224 636) offers 24-hour telephone support, online chat and links to local services
- Mindspot provide free online treatment for people experiencing mood or anxiety issues
- Head to Health is a free confidential service that connects people to mental health support.
- Counselling Online Free drug and alcohol online counselling available 24/7.
- 13YARN (13 92 76) provides free and confidential crisis support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Mental Health Access Line: provides free mental health telephone access across all states in Australia:
If you're feeling suicidal and want some non-urgent tips on how to stay safe:
This Way Up Clinic has developed a 'Keep Calm, Stay Safe' guide which will give you some information on suicidal thinking, describe some strategies you can use to manage these thoughts, and explain what other supports might be available.
- Counselling Online counsellingonline.org.au: Free drug and alcohol online counselling available 24/7
- Reach Out (reachout.com): practical tools and support to help young people get through everything from everyday issues to tough times
- Family Drug Support Australia (fds.org.au): information on alcohol and drug use relative to the families of people who use substances. Also has a 24/7 telephone support service for families affected by alcohol and other drug issues (1300 368 186)
- SMART Recovery (smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au/smart-recovery-manual): For people who are seeking support for addiction or problematic behaviours, or their families.
- Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) Line (1800 458 685) or yodaa.org.au: Telephone information and advice for young people
- Alcohol & Drug Information Service: for information, services in your area, crisis counselling and support about alcohol and drugs:
- National Hotline (1800 250 015)
- NSW: regional (1800 422 599) or metropolitan (02) 8382 1000
- ACT: community health service (02 6207 9977)
- VIC: Directline (1800 888 236)
- QLD: (1800 177 833)
- SA: (1300 131 340) or (08) 8363 8618; Adelaide only
- WA: regional (1800 198 024) or metropolitan (08) 9442 5000
- NT: (1800 131 350) or (08) 8922 8399; Darwin only
- TAS: (1800 811 994)