Support and Resources
Having a hard time? You are not alone- help is available
We all go through tough times- when things get us down. Help is available and no one has to face their problems alone. Talking to someone is a good place to start, even though it may seem hard at first.
During tough times, some people might think about suicide. If you have thoughts of suicide, tell someone you trust. Find ways to keep safe, and work through your problems to get help.
If you know someone is thinking about suicide, it is important to reach out to them. Find out what’s happening for them- listen and try to understand. Let them know that you care and they are not alone. Link them with other people or services that can help them to stay safe and get help.
If you, or those around you, know someone who has died by suicide, it is important to find support to make sense of what has happened. Talk about how it has affected you- the grief you are experiencing, and how you can learn to live with such a loss.
If you don’t feel like you are ready to talk about these issues with someone that you know, Lifeline telephone counsellors are here to listen and provide you with support.
Lifeline can support you
Lifeline offers 24-hour telephone counselling on one national number - 13 11 14 - for the cost of a local call (mobile phone charges may vary). This is a non-judgemental, confidential service available to anyone, anywhere in Australia, at any time day or night. Lifeline is there to support you. No problem is too small or big to seek support.
Tool kit: Helping someone at risk of suicide
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, it is important to get help. Lifeline can provide information on suicide prevention and links to helpful resources and contacts.
You can download a copy of the Lifeline Information Service Tool kit for helping someone at risk of suicide or order it by either calling 1300 13 11 14, or emailing national@lifeline.org.au
Lifeline's Indigenous Emotional Wellbeing Tool kits
Help when you are feeling down
Coping with sorrow, loss and grief
Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Information
FEELING WINYARN? Get support
An information brochure offering youth-friendly advice has been produced by Aboriginal youth in conjunction with mental health experts on the value of seeking help and where to go.
Healing our way - self harm
A brochure developed by the Dr Edward Koch Foundation describes the risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors of suicidality using visual imagery.
Lifeline Health, Wellbeing & Resilience Tool kits
Tool Kit for Overcoming Stress
Tool Kit for men experiencing difficult times
Tool Kit for Domestic Violence
Tool Kit for Beating the Blues
Tool Kit for Carers of People with Mental Illness
Recognising signs someone may be feeling suicidal
These guidelines describe how members of the public should provide first aid to an Indigenous person who may be at risk of suicide, or is suspected to be deliberately injuring themselves.
The Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention website provides guidance around recognising signs someone may be feeling suicidal, how to support them, and how to look after yourself throughout this experience.
Getting help
There are lots of ways that you can ask for help when you are feeling down or going through a hard time;
- Reach out to someone you trust and ask for help. Tell them honestly how you feel, including any thoughts of suicide if you have them.
- Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (within Australia). Our telephone counsellors are trained in crisis support and suicide prevention and will provide support and information.
- If you are under 18 you can also call Kid’s Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (within Australia).
- Look up local services that may be able to provide you with support on Lifeline’s Service Finder
- Look up your local crisis support centre (Hint: use search terms such as ‘suicide prevention’ and ‘crisis’) in your phone book or the white pages online
- Contact your local GP.
