Crisis contacts and other supports

Meridian is NOT a crisis service.

We are an appointment-based service. We only respond to enquiries during normal business hours: 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Crisis contacts

Emergencies

In an emergency, always call 000.

Mental health

For specialised diagnostic needs and acute mental health care requirements, please speak with your GP or contact Access Mental Health.

• Access Mental Health: Assessment and treatment services, including mental health emergency access and support, plus advice and information on a range of mental health issues.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 1800 629 354 or 02 6205 1065 | Web: canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/access-mental-health
• QLife: Free telephone and web-based counselling, referrals and support for LGBTQI+ people and their families.
  • Open: 3–9pm every day
  • Phone: 1800 184 527 | Web: qlife.org.au
• Lifeline: National crisis and suicide prevention telephone counselling.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 13 11 14 | Web: www.lifeline.org.au

• 13YARN: Confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 13 92 76 | Web: 13yarn.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service: Immediate telephone counselling and support in a crisis for people aged 15+ who are suicidal, carers of someone who is suicidal and people bereaved by suicide. Provides up to four free telephone counselling sessions, and offers free video and online counselling.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 1300 659 467 | Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• beyondblue Support Service: Phone and online counselling for people experiencing emotional distress or supporting someone who is.
  • Open: by telephone 24/7; online chat 3pm to midnight every day
  • Phone: 1300 22 4636 | Web: beyondblue.org.au

Violence and abuse

• Domestic Violence Crisis Service: Support (including crisis assistance) for anyone impacted by intimate partner, domestic and family violence, regardless of age, sexuality or gender.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 02 6280 0900 | Website: dvcs.org.au
• No to Violence: Advice and counselling for men who use family violence to change their abusive and violent behaviour.
  • Open: 24/7 |
  • Phone: 1300 766 491 | Website: ntv.org.au
• Canberra Rape Crisis Service: Crisis and counselling telephone support service.
  • Open: 7am to 11pm, every day except public holidays |
  • Phone: 02 6247 2525 | Website: crcc.org.au
• 1800RESPECT Helpline: Information and support for anyone in Australia experiencing DFV or sexual assault. The website has an LGBTIQ specific information section.
  • Open: 24/7 |
  • Phone: 1800 737 732 | Website: 1800respect.org.au
• Full Stop Australia: Free, confidential, trauma specialist counselling to people of all genders who have been subject to sexual, domestic and family violence, as well as their friends, colleagues and family members.
  • Open: 24/7 |
  • Phone: 1800 385 578 | Website: fullstop.org.au
• NSW Sexual Violence Helpline: For anyone in NSW impacted by sexual assault (including friends, families and supporters).
  • Open: 24/7 |
  • Phone: 1800 424 017
• Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline: For anyone from the LGBTIQ+ community whose life has been impacted by sexual domestic and/or family violence.
  • Open: 24/7 |
  • Phone: 1800 497 212 | Website: fullstop.org.au/get-help/our-services/rainbowviolenceandabusesupport

Homelessness and emergency relief

• FIRST Canberra: Helping people in the ACT manage challenges such as housing issues, safety and social isolation, with care, respect and dignity.
  • Open: Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12.30pm – 5pm; closed on public holidays
  • Phone: 1800 176 468 | Website: salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/our-services/first-canberra/
• NSW Link2Home: A statewide telephone service providing information, assessment and referral to specialist homelessness services, temporary accommodation and other appropriate services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 1800 152 152 | Website: nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/social-affordable
• Volunteering ACT: Provides a list of emergency food, accommodation or other supports.

Alcohol and drugs

• Alcohol & Drug Information Service: Information, advice and support for those affected directly or indirectly by drug and alcohol issues.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 02 6207 9977 | Website: canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/alcohol-and-drug-services

Young people

• Kids Helpline: Online and phone counselling service for young people aged 12 to 25.
  • Open: 24/7
  • Phone: 1800 551 800 | Website: kidshelpline.com.au

Non-crisis services

These services are only available to call during office hours, unless otherwise specified.

LGBTQ+ services

• A Gender Agenda (AGA): Direct and peer support and advocacy for members of the trans, gender-diverse and intersex communities and their families
• InterAction for Health and Human Rights: National body by and for people with innate variations of sex characteristics
• PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): supporting parents, guardians, carers and friends of the LGBTQIA+ community to empower them to support their LGBTQIA+ loved ones with knowledge, acceptance, love and pride
• Say It Loud: LGBTQA+ domestic and family violence help and support.

Mental health services

• SANE: Free digital and telehealth support services for people aged 18+ with complex mental health needs and their family, friends and carers, as well as for people with intellectual disability, autism or acquired brain injury.
• Mental Illness Fellowship Australia: amplifying the voices of those living with severe and complex mental illness
• Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI): information for children, young people, parents and their family and friends about parents and parenting with a mental illness

Men’s services

• Mensline: Australia-wide telephone counselling and referrals for men (GBTI-inclusive).
• EveryMan: Professional services for men at risk of exclusion, discrimination and marginalisation, no matter who they are or what they've done.

Women’s services

ACT Women's Health Service: Free nursing, medical, nutrition and counselling for vulnerable women in the ACT and region.

Services for young people

• Eheadspace: Free online and telephone support and counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 and their families and friends. Open 3–10pm.
• The Junction Youth Health Service: Free and confidential health and support services, including medical care, counselling, and social support for young people aged 12 to 25.
• T25 Clinic: Free drop-in nurse-led health and wellbeing services for young people aged 12 to 25.

Services for carers

• Carer Gateway: A website and call centre that serves as an entry point for carers to access practical information and advice, online supports and services in their local area.
• Carers ACT: Emotional and practical support for unpaid carers, including connections to other carers, advice and guidance, respite and offer services to help share the care
• ADACAS (ACT Disability Aged Carer Advocacy Service): Free advocacy and information for people with a disability, people experiencing mental ill health, older people and carers.

Other support services

• ADACAS (ACT Disability Aged Carer Advocacy Service): Free advocacy and information for people with a disability, people experiencing mental ill health, older people and carers.
• Directions ACT: Drug and alcohol support and counselling services.
• HealthDirect: 24/7 medical and health advice line staffed by registered nurses.
• Victim Support ACT: Free and confidential support and information for victims who have experience crime in the ACT, family members of a person who has died because of a crime, and people who have witnessed a crime.