Find Help Near You
If you would like to arrange for a FREE one on one consultation, we can help you create a personalised support network in your area for you and your family members. If you cannot find a service you need please call us on (02)9412-0000.
External Support Services
General
Lifeline
13 11 14 (confidential 24/7 counselling and referrals)
National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service
1800 737 732 or www.1800respect.org.au (online counselling available)
MensLine Australia
1300 789 978 or www.mensline.org.au (online and video counselling available)
Phoenix Australia formerly: The Australian Centre for Post-Traumatic Mental Health
Mens Survivor’s Group
Westmead (02) 9845 7940, Inner West (02) 9515 6111, or Lifecare (Bankstown) (02) 9708 2088
Adults Surviving Child Abuse
www.asca.org.au or 1300 657 380
Rape Crisis
1800 424 017
Sexual Abuse
Men’s Line 1300 789 978 (for Men’s Sexual Abuse)
Dympna House (Child sexual assault service primarily for women). Toll free 1800 654 119 or
(02) 9797 6733
Victims of Crime
For information and/or referrals for victims of crime (e.g. sexual abuse) and a 24 hr support line, ring the Victims of Crime support line on 1800 633 063 or (02) 9374 3000. For victims of crimes that happened in NSW one may gain access to 20 free counselling sessions through this number.
https://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/vs
The Australian Psychological Society
The Australian Psychological Society has a register of psychologists, listing their specialty. Call 1800 333 497 or visit https://psychology.org.au/
Depression and Anxiety
Beyond Blue
An organisation devoted to increasing awareness and understanding of depression in the community. Also provides extensive list of community resources. Phone 1300 224 636 or www.beyondblue.org.au
Black Dog Institute
For Mood Disorders
General Information: (02) 9382 4530; Community/Consumer Enquiries: (02) 9382 4523
Clinics: (02) 9382 2991 or www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression
Depression and Mood Disorders Association
(02) 9816 5688 or https://dmda.mentalhealth.asn.au/dmda
GROW
GROW is a self help organisation for people who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses. GROW is based on a 12-step self help program. Members meet weekly. Operate on donation basis.
(02) 9569 5566 or www.grow.net.au
Veterans
VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service
Available to ex or serving members of the Defence Force who have had active service. 1800 011 046 (local call) or https://www.vvcs.gov.au/
Veterans Affairs Network
1300 551 918 connects client to the nearest office to their location. https://www.dva.gov.au/
ADF all hours support line
1800 628 036
Defence Force Community Organisation (DCO)
Provides social services to Defence members and their families Australia wide https://www.defence.gov.au/dco/
Defence Family Helpline
Provides support, information and connection with your community, including local DCO teams 1800 624 608
First Responders
Police Post Trauma support Group (PPTSG)
24 hour helpline call 0468 832 564 or https://www.pptsg.org.au/
Drug and Alcohol
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
Toll free 1800 422 599 or (02) 9361 8000
www.nsw.gov.au/package.asp?PID=9538
The Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN)
Gives comprehensive information and a list of resources available across Australia at www.adin.com.au
Al Anon (for families)
(02) 9279 3600 Sydney, (02) 4731 1442 Penrith. www.al-anon.alateen.org
Alcoholics Anonymous
You can ring this number to organise a temporary sponsor.
24 hours helpline (02) 9799 1199 or www.aa.org.au
Burwood Discussion Group
SJOGHS Hospital Dining Room 7:00pm to 9:00pm, a group for people who have completed three weeks Drug and Alcohol program at Richard Pampuri Unit and St Paul Unit.
For further details contact: Burwood CTC and speak with Tyrone
Marijuana Anonymous
Oren (02) 9665 0351 or Rick (02) 9566 1419 or https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/
Medicines’ Line
An information line for the general public on medications
Ring 1300 888 763 from 9:00am to 6:00pm EST
Narcotics Anonymous
(02) 9519 6200 or https://www.naoz.org.au/community/index.php
Nar anon (for families)
(02) 9418 8728, (02) 9519 6200 or https://www.naranon.com.au/
Poisons Information
Service Line (24hrs) 13 11 26
Western Sydney Drug and Alcohol Resource Centre Inc.
Parents and Families
The Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)
Resource centre provides information, resources and access to services for children and families where a parent experiences a mental illness
Parentline
Provides telephone counselling to parents and carers of children aged 0 to 18 years. Visit https://www.parentline.com.au/ for Parentline services across Australia or call 1300 30 1300 (between 8:00am and 10:00pm, 7 days a week).
Headspace
Information on how to talk to children and teenagers about their problems and where to find help, as well as online and telephone support, is available through headspace at https://headspace.org.au/family/
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800 (free call) or www.kidshelp.com.au (online counselling available)
Child Care Access Hotline
Toll free 1800 670 305 or
https://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/early_childhood/programmes_funding/child_care_access_hotline.htm
Relationships Australia
1300 364 277
UnitingCare Australia
Provides a range of services for children, young people, and their families struggling with a range of issues https://www.unitingcare.org.au
Dial –A- Mum
(02) 9477 6777 or www.dial-a-mum.org.au
DOCS Helpline
132 111 or www.community.nsw.gov.au
Karitane Careline (24hrs)
1300 227 464 or (02) 9794 1800 or www.karitane.com.au
Karitane Parent – Infant Counselling Line
(02) 9794 1852 or www.karitane.com.au
Mothersafe (Medication- Pregnacy/Lactation)
Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm (02) 9382 6539 or toll free 1800 647 848
Multiple Birth Association
(02) 9875 2404 or https://www.amba.org.au/
Panda – Post & AnteNatal Depression Association Inc.
A self help support association for women who experience post and ante natal depression & their families. Helpline toll free 1800 130 026 or (03) 9428 4600
Play Group Association
(02) 9604 5513 or toll free 1800 171 882 or https://www.playgroupnsw.com.au/
Sydney In Home Care
Flexible form of childcare where care is provided in the Childs home by and approved carer
(02) 9683 3400
Sydney Women’s Counselling Centre
(02) 9718 1955
Sydney Children’s Hospital
(02) 9382 1111
Tresillian Parent Helpline
(02) 9787 0855 or toll free 1800 637 357 or https://www.nsw.gov.au/tresillian/helpline.htm
Westmead Children’s Hospital
(02) 9845 0000
Other Community Health Services
Aboriginal Health Resource Centre
Aged and Community Care Information Line, 1800 500 853
Access Team (Mental Health Crisis Team)
24 hour Initial Intake Service. Penrith Hospital toll free 1800 650 749 (Richmond, Blue Mountains, Nepean, Hawkesbury, Windsor); Rozelle Hospital toll free 1800 636 825; Concord Hospital (02) 9767 6090
ARAFMI (Association for Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill
24hr phone service and support group for families and relatives of the mentally ill.
Phone (02) 9805 1883 or toll free 1800 655 198
Carers Australia
Toll free 1800 242 636, www.carersaustralia.com.au
Centacare Catholic Community Services
Parramatta (02) 9390 5377
Centrelink
Appointments: 13 10 21
Employment Services: 132 850
Aged Pensions and Retirement Issues: 13 23 00
Disability, Sickness and Carers: 132 717
Family Payments: 136 150
Department of Housing
4721 6422
Domestic Violence Line
Toll Free 1800 656 463
Commonwealth Care line
Refer clients to specific Health Care Services in their area, 1800 052 222
Community Crisis – St Vincent’s Hospital
(02) 8382 1800
Financial Counselling & Legal Advice
Provides Services for any financial issues, Phone 1800 650 084 (toll free, Country, NSW)
Grief Support Inc
A 24 hour telephone support referral service. Ring (02) 9489 6644
Homeless Persons Information Services
Free accommodation / referral Services, 1800 234 566 / 9265 9081
Legal Aid
(02) 9219 5000 Head office for nearest centre
Mental Health Association’s Information service
Contact toll free 1800 674 200 or 1300 794 991 or visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au
This webpage contains a lot of very good fact sheets on a wide variety of presenting problems and contact/referral details for many sources of help. A one stop place for help for mental health issues. (Canberra ring (02) 6282 6658)
Reading and Writing Hotline
A free call service that links learners to training providers. Ring 1300 655 506
Salvo Care Line
Is a 24 hour telephone counselling service. Also provides information and referral. Ring (02) 9331 6000
SANE Helpline 2006
The national Helpline for people concerned about mental illness providing information and referral to local treatment and support services. Free call 1800 187 263
St Vincent’s de Paul
Food, home visits, counselling and financial assistance. (02) 4577 4880 Windsor or (02) 4731 5096 Kingswood or (02) 4751 2271 Springwood or (02) 9560 8666 for Burwood
Sydney Women’s Counselling Centre
(02) 9845 0000
Trans cultural Mental Health Centre
1800 648 911 / (02) 9840 3800
Women’s Information & Referral Service
A free and confidential telephone service for women in NSW. The WIRS can help you find information that you, your family or friends may need including information on many organisations and services available to women. The service operates Monday to Friday from 9pm to 5pm. Call 1800 817 227
Children and Young People
Kids Helpline
Offers web-based, email or telephone counselling for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. Call 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelp.com.au
ReachOut
Provides information on a range of mental health and related issues that affect teenagers and young adults. https://au.reachout.com/
Headspace
Provides Information on trauma and mental health, where to get help. Online support is also available. www.headspace.org.au
Mobile Phone Apps
PTSD Coach Australia
Phoenix Australia has developed a Smartphone app for sufferers of PTSD, on behalf of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). PTSD Coach Australia is an adaption of the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ PTSD Coach app and has been designed specifically for the Australian setting. While the app was developed to help current and former serving members of the Australian Defence force, it will also be beneficial to other people suffering from PTSD.
The app is free on iTunes and Google Play.
PTSD Family Coach
Living with a family member who has PTSD can be stressful. PTSD Family Coach is an app similar to PTSD Coach. PTSD Family coach provides support for concerned family members of those with PTSD. The app can help you learn about PTSD, how to take care of yourself, and how to manage your relationship with your loved one or children. PTSD Family Coach also has information on how to help your loved one get the treatment they deserve
The app is free on iTunes and will soon be available for Android
To Track Triggers, Moods, Relaxation
AIMS – Icon has orange arrow into target
Buddhify-this is great for relaxation, mindfulness, meditation and range from 2 mins to 1 hour
Calm– great to help reduce anxiety, meditate, mindfulness, relaxation
Storybooks to help Children Understand PTSD
Operation Green Heart
By Anne Kerr and Dr Katelyn Kerr
Age range 6 to 18 years
This is an Australian book written for children to assist military and ex military personnel and their families deal with difficult feelings that may have arisen as a result of their service including diagnosis of PTSD and depression. It tells the story from Max’s viewpoint of the trouble Max’s dad is having dealing with his angry and sad feelings. Together as a family they come up with a way to once again show their love for each other.
It uses the language of colour to explain and explore feeling and emotions. This helps the young reader to name in a simple yet effective way not only how they are behaving but also how others are behaving towards them. It helps them to identify, name and understand feelings. Conversely, parents can also use the language of colours to describe their feelings to their children.
Why are you so scared? A child’s book about parents with PTSD
By Beth Andrews and Katherine Kirkland
Age Range: 4 to 8 years.
Why are you so scared? Explains PTSD and its symptoms in nonthreatening, kid friendly language, and is full of questions and exercises that kids and parents can work through together.
The interactive layout encourages kids to express their thoughts and feeling about PTSD through writing, drawing and designing. This book can serve as a practical tool for kids to cope with and eventually feel better about their parents PTSD. A comprehensive note to parents offers advice for using this book to help children communicate the emotions that may accompany their parents PTSD recovery
Why is Daddy Like He is? A Book for Kids About PTSD
By Patience Mason
Age range 4 to 8 years
A children’s book that uses a conversation between a child and their mother to describe the symptoms and feelings associated with a father with PTSD. A free PDF version of this book can easily be found online