Supports in case you need them
There is currently no support service specifically relevant to experiences of harm in the mental health system. We know that people find support in difference places, so this list is offered in the spirit of options that exist. Please note that many of these services are not crisis lines, and may have a specific focus.
Peer supports
Alternatives to Suicide
Alternatives to suicide peer support groups operate in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. They support people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings. Look at their websites for more details.
QLife
Provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues, including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Phone: 1800 184 527
Email: www.qlife.org.au
Rainbow Door (Switchboard)
Switchboard provides peer-driven support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people.
Phone: 1800 729 367 or SMS 0480 017 246
Website: www.rainbowdoor.org.au
13YARN
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line. Available 24/7. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.
Phone 13 92 76
Website: https://www.13yarn.org.au/
Sane Forums
Sane Forums seek to enable a supportive community where you can chat with others in similar situations.
Website: https://saneforums.org/
Crisis supports
Kids Helpline
Provides free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people between the ages of 5 and 25.
Web Chat: www.kidshelpline.com.au
Phone: 1800 551 800
Lifeline
Provides free suicide and mental health crisis support for all Australians.
Phone: 13 11 14
Web Chat (7 days: 7pm-12am AEDT): www.lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue
Provides free telephone and online counselling services 24/7 for everyone in Australia.
Phone: 1300 224 636
Online webchat: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat
1800 RESPECT
Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and webchat. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Website: www.1800respect.org.au
Mental health and suicide prevention services
You can access a mental health service directory here: https://vahi.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services.
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Is a community-controlled health service for Aboriginal Victorians. Services include counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists. There will be similar services in other states.
Phone: (03) 9403 3300
Website: www.vahs.org.au
Thirrili
Thirili are an Aboriginal Community Controlled organisation that provides ‘postvention’ (after a suicide) support service. They work with local Elders, community and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations to put in place community responses for bereaved individuals and families.
Phone: 1800 805 801
Website: https://thirrili.com.au/postvention-support/postvention-services
Sexual Assault Services Victoria (formerly CASA Forum)
Provides referrals for people who have experienced sexual assault. Use this map to find your nearest centre, or call their toll-free number to be connected with your nearest centre or for after-hours support.
Phone: 1800 806 292
Website: https://www.sasvic.org.au/
Headspace
Headspace provides a range of telephone and web-based counselling and support services for young people. You may need to create an account before accessing their online or web-based services.
Butterfly
Butterfly has a help line that provides free and confidential support to people concerned about eating disorders or body image issues. It is not a crisis line.
Phone: 1800 334 673
Peak (Representative) bodies
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
VMIAC is the peak body for people with lived experience of mental and emotional distress in Victoria. They do regular advocacy on how the mental health system should improve.
Phone: (03) 9380 3900
Website: www.vmiac.org.au
Other consumer peaks include COMHWA (WA), LELAN (SA), BEING (NSW), ACT MH Consumer Network (ACT), Flourish (Tas), and MHLEEN (Qld).
Tandem
Tandem is Victoria's peak body for families and carers of people experiencing mental illness and emotional distress. Tandem promotes family and carer advocacy services and reform on how the mental health system should improve.
Phone: (03) 8803 5555
Website: www.tandemcarers.org.au
Mental Health Carers Australia provides a national voice on issues impacting families, carers and supporters.
Legal and advocacy services
Victoria Legal Aid
Provides a free telephone and web chat service, providing free legal information. In some circumstances you can speak with a lawyer about how the law applies to your legal problem.
Phone: 1300 792 387
Webchat: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
You will have different legal aid organisations in other states and territories.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
Provides free non-legal advocacy service that supports people who are receiving compulsory mental health treatment to make decisions and have as much say as possible about their assessment, treatment and recovery.
Phone: 1300 947 820
Website: www.imha.vic.gov.au
You may have different advocacy services in other states and territories.
Complaints
Mental Health Complaints Commissioner
An independent, specialist body established under the Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic) to safeguard rights, resolve complaints about Victorian public mental health services and recommend improvements.
Phone: 1800 246 054
Website: www.mhcc.vic.gov.au
There will be different complaints bodies in other states and territories.
Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency
AHPRA is the organisation responsible for the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia. They handle complaints about individual registered health practitioners.
Phone: 1300 419 495
Website: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/