Helplines

Helplines: Keeping yourself and others safe

At Ability Assist, we provide a range of services to children, young people and their families in residential out of home care, as well as support for people with disabilities.

While we do not provide emergency response services, we have listed several organisations below that may be able to assist you.

Remember, if you need immediate help from police, fire, or ambulance services, please call 000.

Crisis Support

Kids Help Line

Australia wide free 24/7, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years.

1800 55 1800

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Suicide Call Back Service

Suicide Call Back Service provides phone and online counselling for anyone who is struggling with situations in their life, from feeling low or stressed to the more complex issues of suicidal thoughts and grief arising from suicide.

1300 659 467

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Lifeline

Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can call 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14 at night (6pm-midnight AEDT). Someone will help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state or territory.

13 11 14

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

13 Yarn

The first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

13 92 76

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Family Violence

Safe Steps

For women and children who are victims of family violence. web chat support service Monday to Friday 9am until midnight.

1800 015 188

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Men’s Referral Service

This service from No to Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence.

1300 766 491

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

The Orange Door

The Orange Door provides help for people experiencing family violence, or who need assistance with the care and wellbeing of children and young people. The Orange Door is a free service.

(9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday)

To view all locations please visit: VIEW ALL LOCATIONS

1800RESPECT

This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family, and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

1800 737 732

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

MensLine Australia

Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties. 24/7 telephone and online support an information service for Australian men.

1300 789 978

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

InTouch

inTouch is a state-wide service providing culturally-tailored support in a range of languages to women from migrant and refugee communities who are experiencing or have experienced Family and Domestic Violence.

1800 755 988

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Financial Crisis

National Debt Helpline

Access free resources and advice from a private financial counsellor. Call 1800 007 007 to speak to someone in your state.

1800 007 007

(9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday)

Health Advice

NURSE ON CALL

NURSE-ON-CALL puts you in contact with a registered nurse for caring, professional health advice around the clock. This is a free service.

1300 60 60 24

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Housing Crisis

Crisis & Emergency Accommodation

Help if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness or family violence. Free 24-hour phone line.

1800 825 955

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

LGBTIQA+ Support

QLIFE

Anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia.

1800 184 527

(3pm to Midnight, 7 days a week)

Rainbow Door

Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. Rainbow Door is a free service for the LGBTIQA+ community, you do not need a referral to use this service.

1800 729 367 or text 0480 017 246

(10am to 5pm, 7 days a week)

Mental Health

Beyond Blue

Information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

1300 224 636

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Partners in Wellbeing

Free support and advice to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. Available to people 16 years and older.

1300 375 330

(9am to 10pm, Monday to Friday)

Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team

A CATT is a group of people who work together and includes mental health professionals such as psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists. They are based in major hospitals.

Victorian Mental Health Services: In the list via the link, choose the letter corresponding to the first letter in your suburb or town. This will take you to the local mental health services and response teams in your area.

SANE

SANE offers a range of free digital and telehealth support services for people over 18 years of age with complex mental health needs, and their family, friends and carers. We also provide mental health support to people with intellectual disability, autism or acquired brain injury.

1800 187 263

(10am to 8pm, Monday to Friday)

Older Adults

Elder Abuse Help Line

Free information and support services for people who experience or witness the abuse of an older person.

1300 651 192

(Operating hours vary)

Victims of Crime

Sexual Assault Crisis Line

The Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria (SACL) is a state-wide, after-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.

1800 806 292

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Victims of Crime Helpline

Get advice about victim entitlements and the criminal justice system, apply for financial assistance, advice for adult male victims of family violence and victims of violent crime.

1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891

(8am to 11pm, 7 days a week)