Helplines & Online Support Services
Department of Education Student Wellbeing links
Visit the link below to browse the DoE information on wellbeing services within the school and outside the school for both students and parents.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/students/mental-health/people-at-your-school
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
Kids helpline is available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. We’re here to help you with anything! Things like: Mental health, physical health, identity, friends, family, relationships and sex, school and work, life issues and safety.
The online website has a variety of blog posts for all different issues as well as a WebChat function if you are not comfortable speaking on the phone.
Social media online platform
On the My Circle social media platform, a Circle is what we call a space where people come together to talk about a specific topic (e.g. bullying, depression). While you’re in a Circle, you’ll be able to ask questions and have supportive conversations with others to learn more about your experiences and what you can do to cope with them. You can find My Circle on the kidshelpline website.
Email counselling:
Email: counsellor@kidshelpline.com.au
Our inbox is checked from 8am -10pm daily
Email counselling is perfect for you if you can’t get to a phone or prefer to write things down. One of our counsellors will read your email carefully and reply with info, questions and suggestions for you.
You do not have to tell us your name when using Kids Helpline . You may choose not to give any name or you may choose to use a different name (such as a ‘nickname’). Not giving us your real name, and/or not giving us relevant or accurate Personal Information (such as your contact details) may affect the level of service and care we can provide you and the outcomes you achieve from using our service.
We will not disclose your Personal Information to other organisations unless we have to because of a law or to protect you or others from serious threats of harm. For instance, we may have to share your Personal Information with other agencies (such as the police, ambulance, and/or child protection agencies) to protect your life, health or safety, or that of someone you know. We will always attempt to gain your participation and consent before sharing information about you providing it is safe and practicable for us to do so, taking into account the circumstances.
QLife - 1800 184 527
Available 3pm - Midnight every day, QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.The QLife family includes hundreds of highly experienced LGBTIQ+ staff and volunteers Australia-wide. If you’re looking to connect with someone to explore what’s going on in your life, we’re here to take your call or webchat. We also welcome contact from people who may not be LGBTI but who want to talk about someone else they care about. You can find a link to the WebChat option via the link at the bottom of the page.
The Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673
Free and confidential support. We’re here for anyone in Australia concerned about eating disorders or body image issues, whether you need support for yourself or someone you care about. All our counsellors are qualified mental health professionals with a background in psychology, social work or counselling. They also have specialist training in eating disorders and body image. Our counsellors will always attempt to support you with as little wait time as possible. There will be times where we are likely to experience high volume of contacts, particularly from 8pm to 11pm at night. This means there may be longer wait times to connect with our Butterfly counsellors. Meanwhile you can always select the option to hold your place in the queue for a call back service or explore some of our helpful online resources while you wait.
You can also use the online Webchat linked below or email support@butterfly.org.au
Twenty10 - 02 8594 9555
Twenty10 Phone Support (ages 12 – 25) is Staffed 1pm – 3pm weekdays excluding public holidays, or leave a message at any time.
Twenty10 incorporating GLCS NSW works with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, questioning, queer, asexual and more, LGBTIQA+ people and others of diverse genders and sexualities, their families and communities.We are a Sydney based service working across New South Wales, providing a broad range of specialised services for young people aged 12-25 including housing, mental health, counselling and social support.
Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511
The Mental Health Line is available to everyone in NSW and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know needs help, the Mental Health Line offers professional help and advice & referrals to local mental health services.
It is staffed by mental health professionals who will ask questions to determine if you or, the person you are concerned about, needs ongoing mental health care and how urgently it is needed. They can put you in contact with the most relevant mental health service for children, teens, adults and older people. The Mental Health Line is available to everyone in NSW and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Transcultural Mental Health Line - 1800 648 911
The Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) works with health professionals and communities across New South Wales to support positive mental health for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. They provide mental health and wellbeing information and brief over-the-phone support for callers from CALD communities in NSW.
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 46 36
Our free telephone and online counselling service is open 24/7 for everyone in Australia. No matter who you are, or how you're feeling, reach out to our free counselling services for support – we'll point you in the right direction so you can get the help you need. Experienced online counsellors are here 24/7 at our Webchat Support Service. All webchats are free and you don’t have to tell us your name if you don’t want to. Webchat can be accessed via the link below.
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Lifeline provides confidential crisis support that is accessible 24 hours a day. We encourage any person in Australia who is contemplating suicide, experiencing emotional distress, or caring for someone in crisis to call, text or chat with Lifeline. Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion, our trained crisis supporters are ready to listen, support, and help you work through what’s on your mind. You can also text lifeline on 0477 13 11 14 or chat online (linked below).
1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732
Confidential information, counselling and support service for people who have experienced domestic, family or sexual violence. An online chat service is also available and responders reply within 6 minutes. They will work with you to help you identify what you can do and to find the right services or support for you. Everyone's situation is different and no one knows your situation better than you. If you are not sure that what I’m experiencing is sexual, domestic and family violence you can still contact 1800RESPECT - If you feel there is something not right about the way you are being treated one of the counsellors can help you understand what you have experienced and assist you to access the support you need.
Sexual Violence Support Services
Visit the site below for a range of support options as well as practical steps to take of yourself or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence.
https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/children-and-families/
Translation, hearing and speech services
If you need help with translating information to a language other than English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50. TIS National is free and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call the National Relay Service (NRS).Connect to the National Relay Service (internet relay) and ask to be connected to the helpline you wish to access. There are a number of relay call options that you can access by phone, web or teletypewriter (TTY). There may be more than one relay call option that suits you, depending on your needs and situation: TTY (teletypewriter) on 1800 555 677, Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) on 1800 555 727
If someone is in immediate danger please always call 000 and speak to emergency services.
