Crisis support

Please note that the Collaborative does not provide direct services. 

Do you need immediate help? The following helplines are available 24 / 7:

• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
• StandBy - Support after suicide - 1300 727 247
• Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
• BeyondBlue – 1300 224 636
• Brother to Brother (for Aboriginal men) – 1800 435 799
• Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
• MensLine – 1300 789 978
• NSW Rape Crisis Line – 1800 424 017
• 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
• Open Arms: Veterans and Family Counselling – 1800 011 046
• SANE Australia online forums 
• Child Protection Helpline – 132 111

Local services

Safe Haven

Suicide Prevention Outreach Teams (SPOT)

Safe Haven offers a non-clinical alternative to busy emergency departments. People attending Safe Haven receive appropriate and responsive care in a warm and welcoming environment. Support is provided by Suicide Prevention Peer Workers, who take a collaborative approach to supporting people to identify and connect with the support they need and want. Referral is not required.  The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District's Safe Haven service is managed by Stride Mental Health. Safe Haven is located at 55 Urunga Parade, Wollongong and operates from Wednesday - Saturday, 2pm - 10pm Safe Haven will remain open during lockdown

The Suicide Prevention Outreach Team (SPOT) provides a mobile outreach service for people in Nowra & surrounds. SPOT peer workers and clinicians work in pairs to rapidly respond to people experiencing a situational crisis or suicidal distress. SPOT can also provide follow-up support or facilitate contact with other services for further assistance. Support is provided at a person’s home, or wherever they feel most comfortable. It is hoped that by taking critical care into the community, people will feel more comfortable accessing the help they need. You can access SPOT or request more information by calling the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511

Other services available at specific times

If you have experienced childhood trauma, you can speak with a Blue Knot Helpline trauma counsellor on 1300 657 380 every day between 9am and 5pm. This counselling service is offered by Blue Knot Foundation.

For support regarding the Disability Royal Commission or general disability support, contact Blue Knot Foundation's National Counselling & Referral Service on 1800 421 468, Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm, and between 9am and 5pm on weekends and public holidays. 

Qlife peer support is available for the LGBTIQ+ community via phone or webchat every day from 3pm to midnight. Call 1800 184 527 or click here for webchat.

For support related to body image and eating disorders, you can call the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) every day between 8am and midnight or click here for webchat. All Butterfly Foundation counsellors are trained mental health professionals with specialist training in body image and eating disorders.

Non-clinical supports:

• Shelter Group Wollongong – a safe space for people with lived experience of suicidal distress. Meets fortnightly via Zoom. *March 2022, we apologise that Shelter Group is not currently running.