Mental Health Help Lines and Emergency Services

If you or anyone you know is feeling distressed, acting in an unusual manner, feeling unsafe or thinking about hurting themselves in any way, there are several options for health care or crisis intervention. If you recognise that a mental health emergency is possible, then it is advised to know which services you may need to access and have the contact numbers handy.

GP: For mild to moderate distress of a non-urgent nature, the first place to go is your GP. Your GP knows you best and will recognise changes in mood and/or behaviour from your usual state.
Emergency department of a hospital: Most emergency departments have a mental health team available 24 hours a day. Clinical Nurse Consultants, Registered Nurses, Psychiatric Registrars and Psychiatrists are available to conduct a mental health assessment and recommend appropriate support or treatment.

Ambulance service 000: For high levels of distress where a person feels at risk of hurting themselves or others and are unable or refusing to get help or go to hospital for assessment, call an ambulance. The ambulance team will escort the person to hospital for assessment and intervention if needed.

Police service 000: For severe mental health presentations, where a person is out of touch with reality and/or aggressive and/or agitated and they refuse to see a health professional and would need restraint to be moved to a healthcare facility for assessment, call the police. This is imperative to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Mental Health Access Line
Connecting you with a mental health professional

A 24-hour telephone service operating 7 days a week across NSW is now available. Anyone with a mental health issue can use this line to talk with a health professional about their symptoms and be directed to the right community mental health team in their area.

CALL: 1800 011 511

Head to Health, Penrith

For people living in the Nepean, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury or Lithgow, who are experiencing psychological distress, suicidal thoughts or crisis, you can contact or drop in to Head to Health.

CALL: 1800 595 121
ADDRESS: 111 Henry Street, Penrith

National organisations and help lines

SANE Australia

An independent organisation providing information and advocacy about mental illness.
www.sane.org
CALL: 1800 187 263

Beyond Blue

The National Depression Initiative; an independent organisation working to address mental health issues including anxiety and depression.
www.beyondblue.org.au
CALL: 1300 224 636

Black Dog Institute

An educational, research and clinical service at the University of New South Wales focussing on depression and other mood disorders.
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Lifeline

24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service.
www.lifeline.org.au
CALL: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline

‘We care and we listen, any time and for any reason.’ For children, teens and young adults.
www.kidshelp.com.au>
CALL: 1800 551 800

1800RESPECT: Domestic Violence Line

7 days per week telephone service for people affected by domestic violence
www.1800respect.org.au
1800 656 463