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Get information on how to get help in an emergency.
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How to get started

Before calling a helpline, we recommend three simple steps:

  1. Know the type of help you need.
  2. Find a suitable helpline.
  3. Prepare for the call.

Callers who can’t hear well or have difficulties talking should first contact the National Relay Service (NRS) by phoning 133 677.

Callers from a non-English speaking background can gain support from the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) by phoning 13 14 50.

When we face tough times, it's easy to feel alone. However, other people have gone through tough times, too. A helpline can provide practical help and emotional support.

Know what help you need

People call helplines for many reasons. The reasons include wanting to:

  • Understand their own life. For instance, someone may wonder if their partner's behaviour is normal and healthy. They may want to know if what happened to them was sexual assault. Or they may be unsure if the have a mental health problem or just normal changes in mood. Talking to someone who understands can help.
  • Get advice about what to do next. Seeing a problem is one thing; solving it can be tricky. Helplines are excellent sources of advice. Staff are trained and know common problems and solutions.
  • Tell their story or share what happened. Sometimes, all we need to do is talk. Helplines can allow you to say what happened and get the kindness and understanding you deserve.
  • Talk about options and what might happen. Making choices can be difficult, especially if there has been violence or abuse. Sharing ideas with someone else can help you see all the options.
  • Connect with services that can help. Helplines can connect people with practical support. It could include payments to help you leave a difficult situation, disability services, housing, or emergency relief.

Once you know what help you need, you can choose a helpline to provide it.

Choose who to call

All sorts of helplines are available in Australia. Helplines offer support for:

  • Health worries.
  • Family or domestic violence.
  • Harassment or sexual assault.
  • Mental health problems.
  • Unfairness, like disability discrimination.
  • LGBTQIA+ people.
  • Money problems and financial distress.

To find an appropriate helpline, enter the words "Australia" and "helpline" and then the issue you need help with into an online search engine.

For example, you could search for "Australia," "Helpline" and:

  • "Feeling sad"
  • "Sex"
  • "My partner hits me"
  • "Can't pay bills"  
  • "Disability discrimination at work."
  • Any other problem you have.

A useful helpline will likely appear in the top two or three results.

The Neve website also provides information and support, including a list of helplines. You might find the help you need in the Neve Helpline directory (internal link).

1800 RESPECT

If you experience violence or abuse you can contact 1800 RESPECT for support and counselling.
Call 1800 737 732 or go to the 1800 RESPECT website to chat with someone online (external link).

‍To contact 1800RESPECT via SMS, text ‘HELLO’ or any greeting to 0458 737 732 to start the conversation.

Prepare for the call

Make a list of what you need from the helpline. It could be:

  • Support for domestic and family violence.
  • Help getting out of debt or making a budget.
  • To talk about something difficult that happened.
  • Support and advice about your gender identity.
  • Anything else that's on your mind.

Have this list with you when you make the call so you can share it with the person who answers.

Make a list of other questions about the conversation. It might include things like:

  • How will you protect my privacy?
  • What happens if I tell you about something that might be a crime?
  • Will my partner get in trouble if I talk to you?
  • Will my parent or supporter find out about this conversation?
  • Can I record this call to help me remember what we discussed?

Have a pen and paper handy so that you can take notes throughout the conversation if it is safe for you to do so. If you want to record audio of the conversation, ask the person on the other end of the line first. Only record the call if they say it's okay.

Find a time and place where you can speak privately and openly. If you're worried that your house isn't a safe place to talk, make the call elsewhere. If your phone isn't private, you could use a payphone, a public library, or borrow the phone of someone you trust.

Take your time with the call. Set aside enough time to talk. Remember, there may be time on hold as well as the time you spend talking. Before the call ends, ask for time to think about whether you've talked about everything on your list. If you think of other issues, talk about those too.

When someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse

Violence impacts people everywhere. You might see or suspect it in your workplace or home. Violence may affect a friend, family member, client or colleague. It may cause harm to children or young people you know. It can add to the barriers faced by someone with a disability. Knowing when to intervene and what to do or say about violence is challenging. The person affected might not even realise they are experiencing violence or abuse. This website section shares information about preventing violence and increasing safety. It acknowledges the complicated feelings that violence can provoke. It offers advice about talking about violence: how to get the conversation started and how to respect the perspectives of others.

Find out more

Legal help after experiencing violence or abuse

If you have experienced violence, you might need to take legal action or go to court. Legal support can help you through the process. Here, we describe services that can help. We explain how to get the most out of the services available.

Find out more

Resources.

May 4, 2024

|

Participate Australia

Making Money Easy

A tool to support children, teens and adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability to learn basic counting and money handling skills.

Check resource

May 7, 2024

|

Disability Advocacy Network Australia

Find an Advocate

Tools and information to help you find advocacy services in your state or territory.

Check resource

May 4, 2024

|

Disability Australia Hub

Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy is when someone with disability speaks up and represents themselves. This guide shows you how.

Check resource

May 7, 2024

|

Touching Base

Booklets For People With Disability

Resources and information for people with disability about seeing a sex worker.

Check resource

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How to call a helpline

Helplines are telephone and text services that help with a range of challenges. These could include violence and abuse, disability, mental health difficulties, and more. Helpline staff listen without judging. They can connect you to practical support. This article will help you decide who to call and how to prepare.

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