Helplines are a great start to seeking help. They are free, specialised support, and some have additional online counselling options like web chat, phone, or email. Below we have outlined some key helplines that may be useful for you and your friends.
If you or your friend is in immediate danger of taking their life, phone Emergency on 000.
- Ask emergency services for a welfare check on your friend.
- Stay on the line, speak clearly, and be ready to answer their questions.
- Privately contact your friend. Try and stay connected.
- Ask if there is any trusted adult around them that could help.
Note: If you call for a welfare check on your friend, it is all confidential and private, you will not get in any trouble. Get a trusted adult to help if you can.
If you need resources to share with your friend, check out Understanding More or Self-Care pages on the RightByYou website designed for young people, by young people.
Kids Helpline is for kids aged 5 to 12 as well a young people aged 12 to 25.
Qualified counsellors are available via webchat, phone or email 24/7.
Calls are FREE even from a mobile phone.
Online and phone support for young people aged 12 to 25.
Calling is the fastest way to connect with a clinician. 9am to 1pm (AEDT) everyday.
You can also create an account if you prefer to communicate by webchat or email.
24/7 crisis support service. Confidential one-to-one, short-term support with a trained Lifeline Crisis Supporter for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.
You can also access a Lifeline Crisis Support via confidential one to one text 0477 13 11 14.
Suicide Call Back Service offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues.
A free, private, safe and confidential social platform for 13-25 year olds.
Space for people aged 12-25 to discuss life and wellbeing issues. You can read other people’s stories, ask for advice or share your own experience.
headspace Bunbury supports young people 12 – 25 with mild to moderate mental health, substance use, work and study as well as physical health/sexual health concerns through our visiting on site GP. Along with support for young people, we also support their family and friends.
Youth Focus operates a free, face-to-face and web-based professional counselling service for young people aged 12 to 25 who may be experiencing mental health challenges including suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety and self-harm.
Here For You is a statewide confidential, non-judgemental, telephone service for anyone in Western Australia concerned about their own or another person’s mental health issues and/or alcohol and other drug use.
7am to 10pm (ASWT) / 7 days per week.
StandBy is Australia’s leading suicide postvention program dedicated to assisting people and communities bereaved or impacted by suicide.
Find supports and resources to support children and teens after suicide here.
Rurallink is an after-hours telephone service for people in rural and regional Western Australia experiencing a mental health crisis.
4.30pm – 8.30am weeknights.
24 hours on weekends and public holidays.
The Think Mental Health education campaign’s focus is on assisting the Western Australian community to connect with the best information, support and services for their particular situation, without duplicating the good work already being done.
The QLife family includes hundreds of highly experienced staff and volunteers Australia-wide. If you’re looking to connect with someone to explore what’s going on in your life, we’re here to chat and to take your call from 3pm-midnight (AEDT) each day.
Going through a tough time? We’re here to yarn.
If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Confidential information, counselling and support service
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
The Luminos Project is a non-medical, short-stay residential service for young people aged 16-24 experiencing thoughts of suicide. Designed to have a home like environment, you will have an opportunity to engage in structured and unstructured therapeutic activities.