Free Phone and Webchat Counselling Services
We understand it can feel nerve-wracking when you need to talk to someone right away but don’t know where to get support. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of free and anonymous webchat and phone counselling services if you need it.
| Service | Who for? | Description | Phone Number | Hours of Operation | Webchat link |
| Lifeline | All People | Lifeline provides crisis support and suicide prevention services to all Australians experiencing emotional distress. | 13 11 14 | 24/7 | Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 – Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. |
| Beyond Blue | All People | Beyond Blue counsellors will listen to and support you, offer advice and help you find the right mental health services. | 1300 22 4636 | 24/7 | Beyond Blue Webchat Support Service – Beyond Blue |
| Suicide Call Back Service | All People | Suicide Call Back Service offers free professional telephone and webchat counselling to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues. | 1300 659 467 | 24/7 | Phone and Online Counselling | Suicide Call Back Service |
| Kids Helpline | All Young People | Confidential support for children and young people for things you’re struggling with, no matter how big or small. | 1800 55 1800 | 24/7 | About WebChat Counselling | Kids Helpline |
| eheadspace | All Young People | Free online and telephone support and counseling to young people aged 12-25 and their families. | 1800 22 4636 | 9am to 1am | Online & phone support | headspace |
| 1800 Respect | All people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. | Confidential information, counselling and support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. | Call: 1800 737 732 Text: 0458 737732 Video call: Video Service (1rs.com.au) | 24/7 | Home | 1800RESPECT |
| Rainbow Door | LGBTQIA+ Young People, their friends, allies and family. | Rainbow Door supports people through advice, referral and support from an experienced LGBTIQ+ peer, Rainbow Door will help LGBTIQA+ people navigate the system to access the supports we need. | 1800 729 367 | 10am to 5pm | Rainbow Door |
| Qlife | LGBTQIA+ Young People, their families, carers and allies. | The QLife Family includes hundreds of highly experienced staff and volunteers who can connect with you to explore what’s going on in your life. | 1800 184 527 | 3pm to midnight | Qlife |
| 13YARN | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | Free and confidential support run by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A safe space to yarn. | 13 92 76 | 24/7 | 13YARN – Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders |
| Brother to Brother | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men | Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who are experiencing crisis and need someone to talk to. It is staffed by Aboriginal men, including Elders, who have lived experience. | 1800 435 799 | 24/7 | Brother To Brother – Dardi Munwurro |
| Butterfly Foundation | People Experiencing Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues | Support for eating disorders and body image issues. | 1800 33 4673 | 8am to midnight daily | Helpline – Butterfly Foundation |
| Eating Disorders Victoria | People Experiencing Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues | The Hub provides information and support for people experiencing eating disorders or those who are supporting them. We offer a safe place for you to seek information, openly discuss your experience and ask any questions you may have. | 1300 550 236 | N/A | Home – Eating Disorders Victoria – Services and Support for ED Recovery |
| Youth Drug + Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) | Young people using alcohol and other drugs | Speak with a youth worker for a confidential discussion about what options are best for you | 1800 458 685 | 9-5, Monday to Friday | I need support — YSAS |
Peer Support Services
Sometimes it is most helpful to speak to someone who has been right where you are. Here is a list of spaces where you can connect with other young people online, in-person, 1:1 or in group settings to help you feel more connected and social.
| Service | What is it? | Who for? | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach out | 1:1 peer support, and an online community | All young people | Chat 1:1 with a peer worker who has experience with mental health and life challenges and is trained to use this experience to help others. You can also anonymously connect with a community of other young people, read posts and learn from others, share your experience and offer support. | A Safe Place to Chat Anonymously, Get Support & Feel Better | ReachOut Australia |
| Eheadspace peer group chats | Web-based group chats | All young people | Web-based group chats facilitated by peer support moderators, who share their own lived experience, offer support and keep the conversation flowing. You can join or leave at any time. Topics include navigate relationships, qheadspace, general coping, work and study, and yarnspace. | Group chats led by peers | headspace |
| OurHerd | Phone app | All young people | A phone app where you can open up about tough times, learn from each other’s experiences, and be reminded that we’re not alone. | OurHerd |
| Visible | Online art gallery | All Young people | An online art gallery exploring diverse young peoples’ experiences of mental ill-health and recovery. | Home | Visible |
| Mornington Peninsula LGBTQIA+ Skittle Squad | In person social group | LGBTQIA+ Young People | Inclusive, social group for young people aged 12-17 across the LGBTIQA+ community and their allies. | LGBTIQA+ Skittle Squad – Mornington Peninsula Youth Services (mpys.com.au) |
| Peninsula Pride | In person social group | LGBTQIA+ Young People | Social groups and activities for young people aged 12-18 with similar lived experiences. | Rainbow Network | Peninsula Pride |
| CHARLEE | Online hub | LGBTQIA+ Young People | Suicide prevention online hub made by LGBTIQA+ people who have experienced suicide-related issues. Provides support and resources for self-care and bereavement. | CHARLEE |
| Walkern Katatdjin – Rainbow Knowledge | Online hub | Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people | Rainbow Knowledge is an online hub led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ people to improve community awareness and support for Indigenous LGBTQA+ youth. | Services | Mysite (rainbowknowledge.org) |
| Belong Network | Online network | Disabled People | An online network which provides peer support and community connections for people with disabilities. | Belong Network |
| Dreamers Hub | Online Community | Young people with chronic illnesses | An online community offering support and resources for young people with chronic illnesses. | Welcome to Dreamers Hub – The Online community for Young Carers |
| YDAS disability pride gallery | Online art gallery | Disabled young people | An online art gallery displaying 30 young disabled peoples’ works exploring disability pride. | Youth Affairs Council Victoria | Disability Pride Gallery (yacvic.org.au) |
| Eating Disorders Victoria | Online social support groups | People Experiencing Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues | Online peer support groups for people experiencing different experiences, identities or types of eating disorders, including the LGBTQIA+ community, people living in larger bodies, people who engage in restrictive behaviours or with severe and enduring Eating Disorders. | Eating Disorders Victoria |
| Butterfly Foundation | Online storytelling platform | People Experiencing Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues | An online storytelling platform for those who wish to share their lived experience of an eating disorder with others in the community. | Share your story – Butterfly Foundation |
| Satellite Foundation | Social groups and activities | Young carers, or people who have a family member living with mental health challenges, substance use, family conflict or violence, or other adverse life circumstances. | Online and in person programs are designed to be fun, creative and engaging, with plenty of space for talking, getting support, connecting with others, and creating new friendships. | Our programs | Satellite Foundation |
| Young Carers Network | Online Storytelling Platform | Young Carers | Young carer stories are helping raise young carer awareness, and help identify other young carers. Here they share their feelings and experiences. | Stories | Young Carers Network |
Other mental health phone applications
| bApplication | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| ReachOut WorryTime | Reach Out WorryTime interrupts repetitive thinking by setting aside your worries until later, so you don’t get caught up in them and can get on with your day. | Reachout.com/tools-and-apps/reachout-worrytime |
| Smiling Mind | Smiling Mind is a daily mindfulness and meditation app developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to your life. | Smilingmind.com.au |
| Calm Harm | Developed by a Clinical Psychologist, Calm Harm provides immediate activities and techniques to “ride the wave” of self-harm urges. The app also provides space for journaling and tracking engagement in self-harm. | Calmharm.co.uk |
| ReachOut NextStep | Provides tailored support recommendations for mental health and well-being issues. | Reachout.com |
| OurHerd | A phone app where you can open up about tough times, learn from each other’s experiences, and be reminded that we’re not alone. | OurHerd |
| Beyond Now | A suicide safety planning app where you can create your own easy-to-follow plan to help you in those moments when you can’t think straight. | Beyond Now – suicide safety planning app |
| Clear Fear | Clear Fear helps manage symptoms of anxiety. Focus on learning to reduce the physical responses to threat and anxiety by learning to breathe, relax and be mindful as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions. You can also personalise the app and track your progress. | Clear Fear |
| Goblin Tools | To-Do list app that breaks tasks down into smaller components so they can feel more achievable. Excellent for neurodiverse people or those who struggle with planning. | Goblin Tools |
| Move Mood | An app to support people experiencing low mood and depression to increase motivation, carrying out various tasks to help you move forward, take control and feel positive. Available on Apple and Google Play. | Move Mood App |