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Counselling services
There may be times when you or someone you know needs counselling services – whether for bereavement, depression, drug or alcohol-related problems, or the stress of being a carer. If you need counselling, you can contact :
- a doctor,
- a community health centre,
- a community mental health centre, or
- the National Carer Counselling Program (more information)
Lifeline
If you need to speak to someone for immediate counselling, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Lifeline provides 24-hour telephone counselling services for the cost of a local call. This is available through Lifeline centres across Australia. They also offer face-to-face counselling services in many Lifeline centres. Types of services and counselling service themes vary from one centre to another based on the specific needs of each regional or local area.
State and territory governments
You can also check your state or territory’s website for local contacts and counselling services, or try the state and territory government section in the Yellow Pages.
Carer support groups
These groups can help you get through tough times and they’re also a safe place to talk about feelings such as a sense of guilt or frustration. Whatever your situation, there’s a support group you can join to meet other carers with similar experiences and to hear how they’ve coped with difficult situations.
Your Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre (more information) can help put you in touch with carer support groups in your area. Contact them on 1800 242 636.
National Carer Counselling Program
Short-term counselling for carers is available from Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres. Contact them on 1800 242 636.
Useful contacts
Good Grief can help people experiencing grief to cope with the effects of significant loss by building coping strategies, self-esteem and a sense of personal achievement.
If you are a bereaved parent, sibling, or grand-parent, Compassionate Friends will provide you with information about where and when you may contact them and perhaps encourage you to come along to one of their Sharing Meetings.
Common questions on this topic:
- What payments are available for carers?
- Are people with a mental illness usually dangerous?
- I can't give Dad all the care he needs. Am I being selfish in suggesting he move to an aged care home?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions
