Accessing Mental Health Services
Emergency Access flow chart: http://www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/MentalHealth/edAccess.html
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of suicide or harm, or of harming others dial Triple Zero (000)
- Stay calm and call Triple Zero from a safe place.
- Don’t hang up until the operator asks you to do so.
- The operator will ask you which emergency services you require – police, fire or ambulance – and will connect you. The operator may ask where you are calling from.
- It is important to remember to stay calm, stay on the line and clearly answer the operator’s questions.
- You will be asked to provide location details. Try to provide the street number, street name, nearest cross street and the area.
- If you have difficulty speaking English, you can ask for an interpreter once you have been transferred to the emergency service you requested. This is a free service.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing current difficulties with mental health, assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week over the telephone by trained mental health professionals on the Mental Health Triage Access Line (MH-TAL) 1800 011 511.
There will be prompts to choose from and these will direct you to a mental health professional who will:
- take your details
- discuss the situation
- make a collaborative plan with you; and
- where necessary, contact the local Community Mental Health Emergency Team (CoMHET) or Mental Health Crisis Team.
The local CoMHET or Crisis Team will then contact you and develop a plan which may involve talking over the phone, visiting the home or asking the person to come to the local Community Health Centre or Hospital Emergency Department for a more thorough assessment.
Other Mental Health Services
Mental Health information or counselling can also be sought from:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 (confidential telephone counselling)
- MensLine Australia 1300 789 978 (confidential telephone counselling for men)
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (telephone counselling)
- Beyondblue 1300 224 636 (information and referral line)
Accessing Drug Health Services
Drug Health Services Intake Line: (02) 9616 8586
Call the Drug Health Services Intake Line for referral to specialist services for drug and alcohol issues.
Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday