Crisis Support

Immediate Help When You Need It Most

📞 24/7 Crisis Hotlines

Mental Health Crisis

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 - Suicide prevention & crisis support
• Suicide Call Back: 1300 659 467 - Professional counselling
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 - Depression & anxiety support

Family Violence

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 - Domestic violence & sexual assault
• Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491 - Men using violence
• Safe Steps (VIC): 1800 015 188 - Family violence response

Young People

• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 - Ages 5-25
• headspace: 1800 650 890 - Youth mental health
• Youth Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Specific Communities

• 13YARN: 13 92 76 - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis
• QLife: 1800 184 527 - LGBTI+ peer support (3pm-midnight)
• Translating Service: 131 450 - Help in your language

📱 Text & Online Crisis Support

Text Crisis Support

• Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741
• Beyond Blue: Text 0477 13 11 14

Online Crisis Chat

• Lifeline: lifeline.org.au (click “Crisis Chat”)
• Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au (click “Online Chat”)
• Kids Helpline: kidshelpline.com.au (click “Web Chat”)

🏥 When to Call 000

Medical Emergencies

Call 000 if someone has:

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Unconsciousness or unresponsive
• Severe bleeding that won’t stop
• Suspected stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech problems)
• Severe allergic reaction
• Overdose or poisoning
• Serious injury from accident
• Severe burns

Mental Health Emergencies

Call 000 if someone:

• Has attempted suicide
• Has means and plan to harm themselves
• Is threatening to harm others
• Is experiencing psychosis (seeing/hearing things)
• Cannot be kept safe

🚔 When to Call Police (131 444)

Use 131 444 for non-urgent police matters:

• Reporting theft (after it happened)
• Property damage
• Lost property
• Minor traffic accidents (no injuries)
• Noise complaints
• General police inquiries

Use 000 for police if:

• Crime is happening now
• Someone is in danger
• Offenders are still there
• Violence is involved

🏠 Emergency Accommodation

Escaping Violence

Immediate Safety:

1. Go to a safe place - Friend, family, or public place
2. Call 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
3. Ask for emergency accommodation

Emergency Housing Services:

• Link2home (NSW): 1800 152 152
• Safe Steps (VIC): 1800 015 188
• DVConnect (QLD): 1800 811 811
• Crisis Care (WA): 1800 199 008
• Homelessness Gateway (SA): 1800 003 308

Homeless Tonight

Immediate Shelter:

• Link2home: 1800 152 152 (NSW)
• Launch Housing: 1800 825 955 (VIC)
• Homeless Hotline: 1800 474 753 (QLD)
• Homelessness Gateway: 1800 003 308 (SA)

What They Provide:

• Emergency beds
• Temporary accommodation
• Meals
• Shower facilities
• Support services

💰 Financial Crisis

Need Money Today

Emergency Relief (Same Day):

• Salvation Army: 13 72 58
• St Vincent de Paul: 13 18 12
• Red Cross: 1800 733 276

What They Can Help With:

• Food vouchers
• Utility bill assistance
• Pharmacy vouchers
• Transport money
• Emergency accommodation

Can’t Feed Your Family

Food Banks:

• Foodbank: 1800 673 464
• SecondBite: 1800 263 283
• OzHarvest: 1800 108 006

Free Meals:

• Search “community meals near me”
• Many churches offer free meals
• Sikh temples (Gurdwara) offer free meals daily
• Community centers often have food programs

🏥 Medical Emergency (No Medicare)

If You Don’t Have Medicare

Still Get Help:

• Emergency departments MUST treat emergencies
• Payment can be arranged later
• Some hospitals have social workers to help

Free/Low Cost Clinics:

• Refugee health clinics
• Sexual health clinics (free for everyone)
• Community health centers
• Aboriginal Medical Services (for Indigenous people)

Can’t Afford Medication

Emergency Supply:

• Explain situation to pharmacist
• Some can provide 3-day emergency supply
• Ask about payment plans
• Generic brands are cheaper

Help With Costs:

• Ask doctor for samples
• Pharmaceutical company patient programs
• Salvation Army/St Vincent de Paul
• Community health centers

👶 Child Safety Crisis

Child in Immediate Danger

Call 000 if:

• Child is seriously injured
• Active abuse happening
• Child left alone and unsafe
• Medical emergency

Reporting Child Abuse

State Child Protection:

• NSW: 132 111 (Child Protection Helpline)
• VIC: 131 278 (Child Protection)
• QLD: 1800 177 135 (Child Safety)
• WA: 1800 622 258 (Crisis Care)
• SA: 131 478 (Child Abuse Report Line)
• TAS: 1300 737 639 (Child Safety Service)
• NT: 1800 700 250 (Child Protection)
• ACT: 1300 556 729 (Child Protection)

🌊 Natural Disasters

During Emergencies

SES (Floods/Storms): 132 500 Fire Danger Info: 1800 362 361 Emergency Alert: Register at emergencyalert.gov.au

Emergency Kit Should Have:

• Water (3 days supply)
• Non-perishable food
• First aid kit
• Medications
• Important documents
• Battery radio
• Torch and batteries
• Phone charger

After Disaster

Disaster Recovery Payment:

• One-off payment from Centrelink
• Call 180 22 66
• May be available immediately

Recovery Centers:

• Set up after major disasters
• All services in one place
• Free support and counselling

📱 Safety Planning Apps

Domestic Violence Safety

• Daisy App: Create safety plan
• Bright Sky: Resources and support
• 1800RESPECT: Online safety planning

Mental Health Safety

• Beyond Now: Suicide safety planning
• ReachOut Breathe: Calm anxiety
• PTSD Coach: Manage triggers

🔒 Emergency Preparedness

Personal Safety Planning

• Emergency contact list with backup numbers
• Important documents in accessible location
• Emergency cash and medications
• Safe places to go in crisis

Digital Safety

• Emergency numbers saved in phone
• Location sharing with trusted contacts
• Backup charging methods
• Emergency apps installed

Keeping Records

• Take photos of injuries
• Keep threatening messages
• Save medical records
• Record dates and times
• Get witness details

Safe Storage

• Email to trusted friend
• Cloud storage
• Separate email account
• USB hidden safely
• With trusted professional

🚪 Escape Planning

Preparing to Leave Safely

Pack Emergency Bag:

• Important documents
• Medications
• Change of clothes
• Money/cards
• Phone charger
• Children’s needs

Important Documents:

• Passport/ID
• Birth certificates
• Medicare cards
• Bank details
• Rental agreements
• Court orders

Safety Tips:

• Clear browser history
• Use safe computer/phone
• Have code word with friends
• Know where to go
• Don’t announce plans

📞 Crisis Support by State

State-Specific Services

New South Wales

• Crisis: 1800 152 152
• Mental Health: 1800 011 511
• Domestic Violence: 1800 656 463

Victoria

• Crisis: 1800 825 955
• Mental Health: 1300 651 251
• Family Violence: 1800 015 188

Queensland

• Crisis: 1800 474 753
• Mental Health: 1300 642 255
• DV Connect: 1800 811 811

Western Australia

• Crisis Care: 1800 199 008
• Mental Health: 1800 676 822
• Women’s DV Helpline: 1800 007 339

💪 After the Crisis

Recovery Support

Counselling Services:

• Victim Services (free counselling)
• Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
• Trauma counselling through GP referral

Financial Recovery:

• Financial counselling: 1800 007 007
• Victims compensation schemes
• Emergency hardship grants

Legal Support:

• Legal Aid: 1300 651 188
• Community Legal Centers
• Women’s Legal Services: 1800 957 957

🤝 How Others Can Help

Supporting Someone in Crisis

Do:

• Listen without judgment
• Believe them
• Help them get professional support
• Respect their decisions
• Keep checking in

Don’t:

• Take control
• Contact the abuser
• Pressure them to leave/stay
• Break their confidence
• Judge their choices

Remember: In any emergency, calling 000 is always the right choice. Emergency services are trained to help with all types of crises.