Helplines & online resources
A summary
Emergency assistance
Triple zero – (000) If you feel that immediate help is needed, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department.
Suicide Call Back Service
Provides 24 hour crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide.
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
1300 659 467
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
24-hour crisis and suicide prevention support.
CATT - Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team
A CATT responds to urgent requests to help people in mental health crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A CATT is a group of people who work together and includes mental health professionals such as psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists, they are based in major hospitals.
To find your local CATT team, ring your closest major public hospital or go here for mental health services in your area, or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24
Family Violence
1800 RESPECT
Information, counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Pregnancy options counselling
1800 My Options
1800 696 784
Information about contraception, pregnancy options, abortion and sexual health services in Victoria.
Birthline
1300 655 156
Making decisions about pregnancy
Provides free telephone support counselling and other services for women, their partners and their families when they are experiencing distress, hardship or have questions relating to pregnancy, including making decisions around keeping a child, abortion or adoption.
Pregnancy and parenting resources
Pregnancy Birth Baby
Information and support for expecting parents, and parents of children aged up to five years old.
Raising Children Network
Information and videos on all aspects of pregnancy & parenting.
Better Health Channel
Fact sheets on health and medical information
Royal Women's Hospital
Health information on women's health topics, including pregnancy & childbirth
https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information
Medicines Information Service - Royal Women's Hospital (Medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding)
Information to healthcare providers and the general public by phone and email.
www.thewomens.org.au/patients-visitors/clinics-and-services/support-services/medicines-information
Royal Children's Hospital
A wealth of information about Kids Health.
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/
Red Nose
Information on safe sleeping, safe pregnancy and grief/loss support.
Australian Breastfeeding Association 1800 686 268
A 24-hour breastfeeding help line that provides mother to mother breastfeeding support. Website has lots of useful breastfeeding information.
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Maternal and Child Health Line 13 22 29
A 24-hour telephone service offering information for families of children aged from birth to school age
Grief and loss from miscarriage, stillbirth and death in infancy
SANDS
Miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support
The Pink Elephants Support Network
Support for women experiencing miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/
Red Nose
Information on safe sleeping, safe pregnancy and grief/loss support for parents and families
Bears of Hope
Support for families who experience loss of their baby - pregnancy and infant loss
https://www.bearsofhope.org.au
Birth trauma
Australasian Birth Trauma Association
A national charity committed to reducing the incidence and impact of birth-related trauma whilst supporting affected women, families and health professionals.
https://www.birthtrauma.org.au
Perinatal mental health support
PANDA: National Perinatal Anxiety and Depression helpline 1300 726 306
Support and information on managing anxiety and depression before and after a baby is born.
MumMoodBooster
6 online sessions designed to help women recover from postnatal depression
This Way Up – Pregnancy & Postnatal mental health programs
https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/perinatal-mental-health-programs
Baby Steps course – a free online program that aims to enhance the wellbeing of new mums and dads
Mind Mum App
Designed to assist expectant and new mothers with the emotional challenges that this time of life often brings
Beyondblue 1300 22 4636
24 hour information and support to achieve best possible mental health.
Men’s Line 1300 726 306
24-hour professional telephone support, online support and information for men.
Counselling & relationships
Relationships Australia
Relationship support services for individuals, families and communities
1300 364 277
https://www.relationships.org.au
Men’s Line 1300 726 306
24-hour professional telephone support, online support and information for men.
Immunisation resources
Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI)
Evidence-based information for patients about the vaccines recommended for Australians, and the diseases they can prevent. This website answers all your questions, especially if you are not sure about vaccination for you or your child.
https://www.talkingaboutimmunisation.org.au/
Royal Children's Hospital Immunisation Service
https://www.rch.org.au/immunisation/contact/
https://www.rch.org.au/immunisation/
Melbourne Vaccination Education Centre (MVEC)- Immunisation information hub for medical professionals and the general public
https://immunisation-mvec.mcri.edu.au/