Finding mental health support services

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Home
Healthy ageing
About healthy ageing
Find out what healthy ageing means and the changes you can make to stay independent for longer.
- Myths about ageing
  Rethink what you know about later life. Bust some common myths about ageing that could be holding you back.
- Inspiration
  Get inspired by real stories and videos from older people. See how others have taken healthy ageing into their own hands.
- Frequently asked questions
  Find answers to common questions about healthy ageing. Get clear on available tools and services.
Resources
Resources
Discover practical tips, exercises, and products to help you stay active and independent.
- Find healthy ageing articles
  Read articles backed by evidence to help you stay healthy and independent.
- Find exercise sheets
  Check out these printable exercises (with pictures) to help keep your mind and body strong.
- Find activities
  Connect with your community. Use this directory to find social activities near you.
- Find helpful tools
  Explore this directory of assistive products. They're selected by clinical experts to make life easier.
- Navigating life changes
  With ageing comes change. Get tailored resources to help you prepare for times of transition.
- I have a health condition or injury
- I'm downsizing or moving house
- I'm grieving
- I'm preparing for new grandchildren
- I'm retiring or retired
- I'd like general healthy ageing info
- More about life changes
- Everyday tips
  Take a look at practical ways to make everyday tasks easier around the house, or out and about.
- Explore tips
- Cultural resources
- First Nations resources
  Access resources made by, with, and for First Nations people.
- Italian resources
  Access resources made with and for Italian people.
- Resources in your language
  Find LiveUp resources in different languages.
Self-assessment quiz
Take our 5-minute quiz – get personalised suggestions for activities, products, and tips tailored to you.
Take the quiz
About
About LiveUp
Learn more about LiveUp. Discover our mission to help older people live well and stay independent.
- Friends of LiveUp
  Read about the peak bodies and organisations we work with to improve the lives of older people.
- Testimonials
  'I found LiveUp to be so uplifting and inspirational and I'm so glad I found it! I thoroughly recommend it to all my older friends.'
  See more testimonials
Contact

Not sure where to start? Call one of our friendly navigators who can help you.Call - 1800 951 971

Finding mental health support services | LiveUp

An older couple walking outside, holding hands.

Ill mental health is experienced by millions of people in Australia. Statistics also show that anyone at any stage of life can struggle with ill mental health. Most disorders can be treated or managed with a care plan. Recovery is possible with support.

The important thing is to find support when you need it. This may be a difficult thing for you to do, but times have changed. There is now much more social acceptance of the fact that mental health does not define a person.

If you or someone you know is experiencing ill mental health, you are not alone and there is help available. A good place to start is by talking with your doctor. You can also visit Medicare Mental Health, a free and confidential service with more than 500 resources available to everyone.

Mental health helplines

The first line of support for many people is often a trained and understanding person who is ready for your call. Some of the main phone or online chat services are:

Lifeline

Lifeline – call 13 11 14, 24/7, text 0477 131 114, or chat online.

LifeLine’s crisis support service is available 24/7. Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter any time of the day or night.

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue – call 1300 22 4636 (24/7), or chat online.

Beyond Blue is a mental health support service that connects you to a person to talk to on those days when things seem too much, or something isn’t quite right.

Greifline

Griefline – call 1300 845 745 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday (AEST).

You can also book a grief support call. This service is available 7 days a week.

MensLine

MensLine – call 1300 78 99 78, or chat online.

MensLine Australia is the 24/7 national telephone and online support service for men. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors who are experienced in men's issues.

Open Arms

Open Arms – call 1800 011 046, or visit their website.

Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling provides free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the Australian Defence Force.

Suicide Call back Service

Suicide Call Back Service – call 1300 659 467, or chat online.

The Suicide Call Back Service offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support if you are at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide, or experiencing emotional or mental health issues.

Your state's mental health crisis line

Each state and territory has a mental health call service. These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are triage services. If needed, they can refer you to a community mental health service.

Learn about your options

Explore support options with Medicare Mental Health

There are many types of services, and they can support you in different ways. You can learn how to explore these with Medicare Mental Health.

Looking for support options relevant to your background or identity? Medicare Mental Health can provide useful information if you are:

Learn more with Healthdirect

Healthdirect, the national virtual public health information service, provides everything you need to know about:

Peer support

Connecting with others and sharing personal stories can help. For example, support groups have been found to help people who are feeling distressed due to retirement.

Social connection can buffer the effects of stress. Research suggests this can even make chronic pain feel less distressing. That can make it more manageable.

However, peer support may not be ideal for everyone. If you're feeling stressed, depressed, anxious, or not coping, contact a GP or helpline.

How to be a mental health ally

Being a mental health ally means you support and include people who are struggling with their mental health. Here are some of the ways you can be a mental health ally:

Talk to your friends or family members who may be going through a hard time. Listen to them with empathy and compassion.
Use positive and respectful language when talking about mental health and don’t use blaming words.
Educate yourself and others about mental health issues.
Challenge myths and stereotypes.

Take charge of your mental health, reach out today

If you need more information, get in touch with one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971.

You can also learn more by following the links below:

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022, July 22). National study of mental health and wellbeing. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023, March). Prevalence and impact of mental illness. https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/mental-illness

Franqueiro, A. R., Yoon, J., Crago, M. A., Curiel, M., & Wilson, J. M. (2023). The interconnection between social support and emotional distress among individuals with chronic pain: A narrative review. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 4389–4399. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S410606

Qorbani, S., Majdabadi, Z. A., Nikpeyma, N., Haghani, S., Shahrestanaki, S. K., & Poortaghi, S. (2024). Qorbani, S., Majdabadi, Z. A., Nikpeyma, N., Haghani, S., Shahrestanaki, S. K., & Poortaghi, S. (2024). The effect of support group participation on retirement syndrome in retired older adults: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatrics, 24(1), 155. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04923-4

How to use this information

LiveUp provides free information to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information is for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide, and does not replace medical advice. Everyone is different, so some of these tips may work better for you than others. You should use your own judgment and seek medical advice when applying this information to yourself, to determine if it is suitable in your circumstances. Your use of, or reliance on, this information is solely at your own risk. Independent Living Assessment Incorporated is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, or damage caused as a result of your use of, or reliance on, this information.

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You can print out the PDF and stick it to your fridge or file away the tips to revisit at a later time.

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Finding mental health support