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.

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

13YARN

‍13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line. Available 24/7. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.

Sane Forums

Sane Forums seek to enable a supportive community where you can chat with others in similar situations.

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.

Lifeline

Provides free suicide and mental health crisis support for all Australians.

Beyond Blue

Provides free telephone and online counselling services 24/7 for everyone in Australia.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.