Need help?
If you have experienced an episode of mania or hypomania, it’s best to seek professional help as soon as possible. It may indicate that you have bipolar disorder, which, if left untreated, will likely involve further episodes of mania or hypomania. Bipolar disorder is not an illness which goes away of its own accord but which often needs long-term treatment.
A good first place to start in getting help is to visit your local general practitioner (GP). Let him or her know if you think you might have depression or bipolar disorder. Your GP will either conduct an assessment of you, or refer you to someone else, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist.
If you are having trouble tracking down such a GP, you could telephone general practices in your area to find out whether any doctors in that practice have a particularly strong interest in mental health and, if so, whether they are taking on new patients. (Ask to speak to the practice manager.)
If you are in an extreme situation it is strongly advised that you call a CAT team (Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team) or dial 000 in an emergency.
Help lines
Get immediate support
All calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential
Free 24/7 counselling service offering support to people at risk of suicide and people concerned about another’s risk of suicide.
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.
Confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral in Victoria. Talk by phone or online.
Self help (websites and apps)
Moodgym is like an interactive self-help book where you learn skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
MoodMission is an evidence-based app designed to help you overcome depression and anxiety with new and better ways of coping
myCompass is a free online self-help program for people with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and stress.
MindSpot offers a number of treatment courses for people with symptoms of stress, worry, anxiety, low mood and depression.
A range of self-paced online courses that teach clinically-proven strategies to help you improve the way you feel.
Organisations
The only medical research institute in Australia dedicated to researching mental health for all ages.
A government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice.
VMIAC is the peak Victorian organisation for people with a lived experience of mental health or emotional challenges.
Mind is one of the country’s leading community-managed specialist mental health service providers.
Mental Health Victoria is the peak body for mental health in Victoria. Our services are informed by Australian and international best practice.
Tandem is the Victorian peak body representing families and friends supporting people living with mental health issues.
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.
Clinical and community support services for young people, adults and older people.
HeadtoHelp supports Victorians of all ages. Take the first steps towards finding the mental health and wellbeing support that’s best for you.
The MHFA works to be the leading provider of inclusive advocacy, awareness, education, support, research and resilience that promote mental health for all.
Cairnmillar Community Clinics offer free remote-access counselling with provisionally registered, postgraduate psychologists.
Our trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well.
Head to Health can help you find the right Australian digital mental health and wellbeing resources, for yourself or for someone you care about.
Comprehensive hospital-based, community and specialist mental health services across northern and western Melbourne.
SANE Australia is a national charity making a real difference in the lives of people affected by complex mental health issues.
CAT teams
CAT Teams provide emergency help during a mental health crisis. Experiencing or caring for someone during a mental health crisis can be frightening but help is available 24 hours a day.
A CAT team is a group of people who work together and includes mental health professionals such as psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists. A CAT Team responds to urgent requests to help people in mental health crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CAT Teams are based in major hospitals. In some parts of Australia they are called Psychiatric Emergency Teams (PET). CAT Teams also work with other services such as police, ambulance, alcohol and drug services, child protection and community services where necessary.
Central East CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral). 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 721 927
This service covers Manningham, Monash-Waverley East, Monash-Waverley West, Whitehorse-Box Hill and Whitehorse-Nunawading West
Carrington Consulting Suites
Level 1, 43 Carrington Road, Box Hill 3128
Ph: 1300 721 927
AH: 1300 721 927
Dandenong CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 369 012
This service covers Greater Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia and Frankston-East
Community Service Building Adult and ELMHS Mental Health
145 – 151 Cleeland Street, Dandenong 3175.
Ph: 1300 369 012
AH: 1300 369 012
Inner South East CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 363 746
This service covers Port Phillip, Stonnington (Local Government Areas) and Glen Eira-Caulfield
The Alfred Hospital
55 Commercial Road, Prahran 3181
Ph: 1300 363 746
AH: 1300 363 746
Inner Urban East CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 558 862
This service covers: Yarra and Boroondara
St. Vincent’s hospital Psychiatric Triage
Emergency Care Centre
41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065
Ph: 1300 558 862
AH: 1300 558 862
Inner West CAT Team
Psychiatric triage ( information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 874 243
This service covers: Mooney Valley and Melbourne
Adult Community Service
2nd Floor, 641 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds 3039
Ph: (03) 9377 3400
AH: 1300 874 243
Mid West CAT team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 874 243
This service covers: Melton and Brimbank
Adult Community Service Sunshine and Melton Community Teams
4A Devonshire Road, Sunshine 3020
Ph: (03) 9288 7000
AH: 1300 874 243
Middle South CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 369 012
This service covers: Bayside and Kingston
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168
Ph: (03) 1300 369 012
AH: (03) 1300 369 012
North East CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 859 789
This service covers: Nillumbik and Banyule
North East Mobile Support and Treatment Service
77 Hawdon Street, Heidelberg 3084
Ph: (03) 9496 6586
AH: 1300 859 789 (North East CAT) or (03) 9496 5000 (Austin Hospital)
North West CAT Team
Psychiatric triage ( information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 874 243
This service covers: Hume and Moreland
North West Area Mental Health Service Community Team
130 Bell Street, Coburg 3058
Ph: (03) 9355 9700
AH: 1300 874 243
Northern CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 874 243
This service covers: Whittlesea and Darebin
Community Team North
185 Cooper Street, Epping 3076
Ph: (03) 9408 9510
AH: 1300 874 243
Community Team Central/South
83 Hotham Street, Preston South 3072
Ph: (03) 9416 6300
AH: 1300 874 243
Outer East CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 721 927
This service covers: Maroondah, Knox, Yarra Ranges, Whitehorse-Nunawading East
Outer East Mobile Support and Treatment Team
Maroondah Hospital, Mount Dandenong Road, Ringwood East 3135
Ph: (03) 9871 3931
AH: 1300 721 927
Peninsula CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
Telephone: 1300 792 977
This service covers: Mornington Pensinsula and French Island, Kingston-South and Frankston-West
Peninsula Health Mental Health Service
Frankston Hospital, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston 3199
Ph: (Initial Contact/Referral): 1300 792 977
Ph: (Administration): (03) 9784 7105
AH: 1300 792 977
South West CAT Team
Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 1300 657 259
This service covers: Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong
Werribee Mercy Mental Health Program
Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300 Princes Highway, Werribee Victoria 3030
Ph: 1300 657 259 (Triage) – 24 hours