Mental health and wellbeing
Mental illness affects everyone differently. It can range from subtle feelings that something is not right, through to overwhelming physical, emotional or behavioural changes and reactions.
It is important to seek help early if you think a young person’s mental health is at risk. There are also resources and support services available for parents, guardians, and carers.
Support for young people
If you are dealing with difficult or distressing feelings, it is hard to know where to start to find support. It can help to talk about what you are going through with a trusted friend, family, or community member.
You may feel more comfortable reaching out to your GP or a confidential support service such as Kids Helpline before speaking to a family member.
Support services and hotlines for young people
-
Confidential support for people experiencing emotional distress
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to crisis support and suicide prevention services. They are available 24/7 to listen, without judgement to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or longs to be heard.
Phone 13 11 14
-
Australia’s largest health and welfare services directory
Ask Izzy is Australia's largest health and welfare services directory with over 450,000 services listed. The directory connects people in need with health care, counselling, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, financial support, domestic and family violence support, and more. Ask Izzy allows you to search for services that are specific to young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQ+ people, and people who require an interpreter or translation support.
-
Free and confidential phone and online counselling for young people
Kids Helpline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone and online chat counselling service for young people and the adults who care about them. They offer guides on depression and anxiety which include coping strategies and tips for self-care.
Phone 1800 551 800
-
Free, private and safe social platform for 12 to 25-year-olds across Australia
My Circle is a free, private, safe, and confidential social platform for 12 to 25-year-olds across Australia. Supported by Kids Helpline counsellors, My Circle lets young people ask questions of others to learn more about their experiences and how they can cope.
-
Early intervention mental health services for 12 to 25-year-olds
Headspace provides early intervention mental health services to 12 to 25-year-olds. They support young people with mental health, physical health, and alcohol and other drug services. The Yarn Safe portal also offers tips for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to cope with stress and take care of their mental health and wellbeing.
Phone 1800 650 890
-
Free and confidential counselling and information service available 24/7
Beyond Blue is a free and confidential counselling and information service available 24/7 for anyone going through a hard time or looking for ways to support someone they care about. They can also help people find the right mental health services if they need extra support.
Phone 1300 224 636
-
24-hour national crisis support line for mob
13YARN is a 24-hour national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer confidential, one-on-one yarning with Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters. 13YARN also provides fact sheets on anxiety, depression, loneliness, and understanding trauma in mob.
Phone 13 92 76
-
Not-for-profit healthcare provider offering accessible mental health services for young people
Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers accessible mental health services for young people to bring about a sense of wellbeing.
- The Low Intensity Mental Health (LIME) program provides confidential, one-on-one sessions tailored to help address stress from school, relationships, or other life challenges for young people aged 12 and above. Five free sessions are available in person, by phone, or via video call.
- The Lighthouse service supports young people aged 12–18 and their family or carers to better understand and manage the impacts of distressing life experiences through specialised treatment and individual or group sessions. Lighthouse is available on the Gold Coast.
- The Targeted Psychological Therapies (TPT) program provides evidence-based mental health services to underserviced groups within Queensland’s Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network region. People experiencing financial disadvantage as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are prioritised for care.
Phone 1300 727 957
-
24/7 free and confidential mental health services for young people up to 18
Children’s Health Queensland offers 24/7 free and confidential mental health services for young people up to 18 with severe or complex mental health needs.
Phone 07 3068 2555
-
Anonymous, confidential support for young people
ReachOut provides online, anonymous, and confidential support for young people. From one-to-one peer support and moderated online communities, to tips, stories, and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to. ReachOut provides support for First Nations young people through their Yarn Up service to connect with community, hear from others, and access wellbeing resources and support.
-
Help for young people to understand what is and what is not okay when it comes to relationships
The Line helps young people to understand what is okay and what is not when it comes to intimate relationships and encourages them to call out behaviours that hurt and disrespect others. The Line encourages young people to develop healthy and equal relationships, and to reject violence. The Line is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Support for parents and carers
The mental health of a young person can affect the entire family. If your young person is struggling with their mental health, help is available on how you can support them emotionally and provide practical guidance.
An important part of being a parent is looking after yourself too. If you are struggling to cope and no longer feeling like yourself, there are support services to help you look after your wellbeing.
Support services and hotlines for parents and carers
-
Confidential and professional telephone support for parents, carers and guardians
Parentline is a confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland. Counsellors at Parentline can assist you with developing strategies for positive parenting and personal coping and help contribute to the resilience and wellbeing of your family. Parentline is funded by the Queensland Government.
Phone 1300 301 300
-
Free, safe and confidential online community for parents, carers and supporters of young people
My Circle for Parents is a free, safe, and confidential online community for parents, carers, and supporters in young people's lives. You can talk to other parents and carers, get tips for difficult life moments and transitions, and access helpful resources. My Circle for Parents is hosted by Kids Helpline.
-
Australia’s largest health and welfare services directory
Ask Izzy is Australia's largest health and welfare services directory with over 450,000 services listed. The directory connects people in need with health care, counselling, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, financial support, domestic and family violence support, and more. Ask Izzy allows you to search for services that are specific to families with young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQ+ people, and people who require an interpreter or translation support.
-
Support services including free coaching for parents, carers and supporters of young people
ReachOut offers a range of support services including free coaching for parents and carers, self-help content to help you support your young person with their mental health, and community forums to share your concerns, ask for help, and hear from other parents. The service also provides helpful articles and information including how to be a supportive parent to a teenager and specific helplines for parents of teens.
-
Tips and conversation starters to help support young people
Beyond Blue provides tips and conversation starters to help you support a young person with depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. They provide practical resources to help you decide what to say and do to help someone feel better, as well as tips for looking after yourself.
Phone 1300 224 636
-
Confidential support for parents, carers and young people experiencing emotional distress
Lifeline provides resources on how you can support someone struggling with depression or anxiety. Lifeline also understands the challenges of supporting someone with mental health issues and provide support services for carers and family members. Lifeline forums are open for anyone over 18 in Australia who has experience with mental health conditions, as well as their friends, family, or carers.
Phone 13 11 14
-
Tailored support on how to support a young person struggling with their mental health
Headspace supports parents, carers, and family of young people who are struggling with their mental health. Headspace offers one-on-one support, informative sessions hosted by trained mental health clinicians, interactive online modules, and an Adults Supporting Young People online community to hear from other adults about their experiences.
Phone 1800 650 890
-
Support for young people experiencing complex mental health issues
SANE supports people who experience complex mental health issues and people with an intellectual disability, alongside their families, friends, and communities. SANE provides free digital and telehealth support services, such as peer support, counselling, and community forums.
Phone 1800 187 263
-
Support and education services for people with mental health support needs, their families and carers
Arafmi provides support and education services to people with mental health support needs, their families, and carers. Carers can access one-on-one support, support groups to connect with other carers, and workshops and information sessions.
Phone 1300 554 660 (24/7 carer support line).
Phone 1800 35 1881 (regional Queensland, free call from a landline).
-
24-hour national crisis support line for mob
13YARN is a 24-hour national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer confidential, one-on-one yarning with Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters. 13YARN also provides fact sheets on anxiety, depression, loneliness, and understanding trauma in mob.
Phone 13 92 76
-
Culturally appropriate counselling services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Brisbane
The ATSICHS Social Health team provides culturally appropriate counselling services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Brisbane affected by mental illness. The team can help you find information about your wellbeing, provide you with support and skills to get through difficult times, and help you find a local doctor.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence