Helplines and Resources

Triple Zero (000) – If you or someone you care about is in crisis and you think that immediate help is needed, call triple zero (000) or go to your local hospital emergency department. Lifeline 13 11 14 – Provides 24 hour access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services. They also offer online chat and a text messaging service, find out more on their website. Suicide callback service 1300 659 467 – Provides 24 hour crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide. They also offer online chat and video chat, find out more on their website Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria (SACL)- 1800 806 292 - a state-wide, after hours, confidential telephone crisis counselling service for people who have expereinced both past and recent sexual assault Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Child Protection after hours - 131278 for children and yong people whose safety is at risk (from 5pm to 9am weekdays, all weekend and public holidays

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) 1300 726 306 – Provides free telephone support counselling and information on antenatal and postnatal depression on their website. Gidget Foundation Australia supports the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents www.gidgetfoundation.org.au

Red Nose 1300 308 307 – Provides 24 hour support for grieving parents and families who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, birth, infancy or childhood, regardless of cause. Red Nose also has professional counselling, support groups and resources available via Red Nose Grief and Loss. Pink Elephants – Provides information and support for women through miscarriage, pregnancy loss and beyond. The group supports women through their grief, nurtures them as they heal and empower them as they move into the future. There are a number of resources available in their website including useful information about miscarriage stages and support services. SANDS 1300 072 637 – Provides information and confidential 24/7 support by a trained parent supporters who have a personal understanding of the grief and confusion that may be experienced following miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby. SANDS also holds group support meetings and more details about these are available on their website.

Birthline 1300 655 156 – Provides free telephone support counselling and other services for women, their partners and their families when they are experiencing distress, hardship or have questions relating to pregnancy, including making decisions around keeping a child, abortion or adoption. Find out more.

Surrogacy Australia – Provides information on finding a surrogate, becoming a surrogate and the surrogacy process on their website. The Australian Government also provides information on the process of engaging an international surrogate. Adopt Change Australia – Aims to ensure every child has access to a safe, nurturing and stable family upbringing. Adopt Change provides support and resources for people considering adoption.

1800 Respect 1800 737 732 – 1800 Respect is a national counselling service providing information and support (telephone and online) for people who have experienced sexual assault or domestic and family violence. Safe Steps1800 015 188is Victoria's 24/7 family violence response centre, providing specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is expereincing or afraid of family violence. The Orange Door provides a free service for adults, children and young people who are expereincing, or have expereinced family violencem and families who need extra support with the care of children.

Raising children- the Australian Parenting website provides a wealth of resources and free videos for families and is funded by the Australian Government Pregnancy, birth and baby helpline 1800 882 436 – Provides general advice and counselling about pregnancy, childbirth and parenting in the first year of life with a baby via their website or helpline. Community resources providing support – A detailed list of local playgroups, mum meet-ups, mental health and parenting support services.

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 – Professional telephone and online support, information and referral service for men to assist with relationship problems. Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 – Provide relationship support services through counselling and family dispute resolution for couples experiencing relationship problems. Your local GP can be a great source of referral

COPE - Centre for Perinatal Excellence provides a Database of Perinatal Mental Health Professionals Head to Health – Provides a website gateway access to online programs and trusted information on depression, stress and anxiety from Australia’s leading mental health organisations. Your local GP Your local Maternal and Child Health Service