Mental Wellness Services - Australia


If life is in immediate danger, call police or ambulance 000

We all have bad or difficult days.  Sometimes you just need a friend to talk to, but other times you may need something more.  This support doesn’t always have to cost a lot of money and you may be eligible for assistance through your partners or your own employer.

There are helplines available 24 hours a day for you to call or chat to online. Some services are specific to men or children.

Here is an outline of some services that may be able to provide you or your partner with more support to help you out. If you are looking for services outside Australia, please refer to the other country pages in the menu above.

Airline and Pilot Union Services


Australian Federation of Airline Pilots (AFAP) - Member Assistance Program (MAP)

All AFAP members and immediate family members are eligible for assistance from MAP.

Psychological Health Interventions is able and available to meet your needs through a variety of ways, including:

  • Face to face counselling

  • Skype counselling

  • Telephone counselling

Call psychological health interventions on free call 1800 424 635 to make an appointment or visit the AFAP website for more information.

AIPA Logo

Australian and International Pilots Association

The AIPA Welfare team provides confidential peer support to AIPA members and their family who are experiencing significant personal difficulties with medical and emotional issues, workplace or family conflict, and professional performance or financial stresses.

AIPA Welfare pilot volunteers have received training in peer support and counselling at a non-professional level. Members or families in need of expert advice will be directed to appropriate professional services and resources. During office hours, a Welfare Liaison Officer is available to listen to concerns and connect AIPA members to appropriate services or to a Welfare team member.

The AIPA Welfare number offers 24 hour support +61 2 8307 7766 or visit the AIPA website for more information.

VIPA logo

The Association for Virgin Australia Group Pilots

VIPA has identified the need for a support service to help individuals recognise and deal with stress, so that they, and their families, can once again achieve a fulfilling and balanced life.

For 24hr confidential assistance call 1800 116 460, and choose option 3 or visit the VIPA website for more information.

Mental Health Support for Pilots HIMS program

HIMS is a confidential resource for pilots seeking assistance with substance use disorders to return to flying. It is a collaborative effort between all stakeholders: employers, professional assosciations and CASA working together to preserve careers and further flight safety. Contact your assosciation, your DAME or visit www.hims.org.au for further information.

Connect Peer Suport Virgin

CONNECT is a “by pilot, for pilot” peer support program for Virgin Australia Group pilots.

It was created with the combined support of the unions, Virgin flight operations management, and is assisted by administration support from Virgin Group Medical. CONNECT promotes confidential conversations between peers at times of stress or distress.

CONNECT is not an acute mental health crisis service, but the website has direct dial access (from a mobile device) for important and helpful acute and non-acute health resources available in Australia and New Zealand. There is an access number which will connect you to a pilot peer coordinator, or contact numbers for regional peers on the website.


Pilot Assistance Network logo

Pilot Assistance Network (PAN) is a peer support group for QANTAS pilots and their families. It is run by a group of pilots and partners who have volunteered to help fellow crew members and their families. 

Additional Mental Wellness Services - Australia


Your room logo

Alcohol and Drug Information Service

You can call ADIS any time of the day or week for support, information, advice, crisis counseling and referral to services in NSW.

ADIS counsellors understand the difficulties of finding appropriate drug and alcohol treatment and use their knowledge and experience to assist you.

For the appropriate contact number for your state, please visit the Your Room Alcohol and Drug Information website.

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

www.beyondblue.org.au      Call: 1800 22 4636

Black Dog logo

Black Dog Institute

The Black Dog Institute is a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. A range of helpful info is available from their website.

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Counselling Online Logo

Counselling Online is a service where anyone seeking help or information about alcohol or drug related issues can access a professional counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free of charge, across Australia. Counselling Online provides live, one to one text-based counselling.

www.counsellingonline.org.au                Call: 1800 888 236

Crisis Care Helpline

Crisis Care Helpline - Western Australia

Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Telephone Crisis Care when:

  • you need someone to help sort out a serious problem
  • you are concerned about the wellbeing of a child
  • you are escaping domestic violence and need help arguments are causing unhappiness and problems in your family
  • you are alone or afraid and urgently need to talk to someone
  • you are homeless
  • you need counselling, information or other support
  •  Call: 08 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008
  • Crisis Care can be accessed through the translating and interpreting service on 13 14 50
Lifeline Logo

Anyone can call Lifeline. People call Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis support service 13 11 14 about many things including: * Anxiety * Depression * Loneliness * Abuse and trauma * Physical or mental wellbeing * Suicidal thoughts or attempts * Stresses from work, family or society * Information for friends and family This service is staffed by dedicated volunteers, who have undergone training to ensure they are capable of handling all sorts of calls. They are ready to listen and provide emotional and crisis support.

www.lifeline.org.au       Call: 13 11 14

myCompass is an app developed by the Black Dog institute which provides a personalised self-help mental health support program that you can use on your mobile phone, computer and/or tablet.

www.mycompass.org.au   

RU OK logo

RU OK? is a national campaign aimed at encouraging all of us to speak up and start a conversation if we feel something might be amiss with a friend, colleague or family member, and to highlight the IMPORTANCE of caring enough to ask… R U OK?

www.ruok.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service Logo

Whether you’re feeling suicidal, are worried about someone else or have lost someone to suicide, Suicide Call Back Service provides free phone, video & online counselling for anyone affected by suicide.

www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au    Call:  1300 659 467

Help For Kids


Being a kid can be tough at times. These services provide support and advice for children up to 25 years and also provide advice and information for families and friends of young people.

Kids Helpline Logo

Kids Helpline is a free, 24 hour counselling service for young people aged 5-25 years. Counselling is offered by phone, email and over the web.

www.kidshelpline.com.au    Call: 1800 55 1800

Headspace logo

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.

www.headspace.org.au     Call:  1800 650 890

Help For Men


We all know men and women operate differently. That’s why some services have been set up specifically for men.

Man Therapy Logo

A man has his own way of doing things. A man has his way of eating, of exercising, keeping his hands warm and filing stuff. Not that filing! The other filing. So, when a man faces the serious things life chucks at us – like stress, anger, difficulty sleeping, drinking too much or sadness: shouldn’t a man have a way to deal with that too? Dr Brian Ironwood and Davo have more information on the Man Therapy website.

 www.mantherapy.org,au         Call: 1300 22 2638

MensLine Logo

MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues. MensLine provides:

• A safe and private place to talk about concerns;

• Confidential, anonymous and non-judgmental support;

• Coaching and practical strategies for managing personal relationship concerns;

Relevant information and linkage to other appropriate services and programs as required.

www.mensline.org.au   Call:  1300 78 99 78