Get some help
To effectively manage bipolar disorder, it’s important to get some help and support. With the right treatment and the help of professionals, the vast majority of people with bipolar disorder can live full and productive lives.
Depression can make people feel empty, hopeless, sad, lonely or ashamed. Mania or hypomania (although sometimes enjoyable) can lead to people making wreckless mistakes that can have a terrible impact on their lives. Of course our support groups offer help but sometimes you need help from professionals immediately.
Listed below are some 24 hour help lines you can call if you feel you are spiralling and need some someone to talk to.
Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common amongst people with bipolar disorder. If you are in a dangerous situation (considering harming yourself or others) it is strongly advised that you call a CAT team (Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team) or dial 000 in an emergency.
24 hour Help lines
Get some help from websites, agencies and apps
Fortunately these days there are a lot of options to get some help apart from seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist which can take months. The websites and apps listed below all offer different services and are worth exploring as most of them are free.
MindSpot
Supporting Australian adults experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and chronic pain. All services are free, confidential, and online.
Head To Health
Head to Health can help you find the best mental health support for you. Call 1800 595 212 to talk to professional.
myCompass
A free online tool that helps identify unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and learn strategies to deal with them.
SANE Australia
SANE is for people with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families and friends.
Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is a non-for-profit web and app-based meditation program developed by psychologists and educators.
Headspace
Helping young Australians with mental health, physical health, & managing work and study.
ReachOut
Trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well.
This Way Up
Tailored online programs are designed to teach you proven skills to transform your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Moodgym
Interactive program developed by experts at the ANU, free for all Australians. Self-help available 24/7.
Mood Mission
MoodMission is an evidence-based app designed to empower you to overcome feelings of depression and anxiety by discovering new and better ways of coping.
Blue Knot
Blue Knot provides information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma. Complex trauma is repeated, ongoing, and often extreme.
Mental Health Online
Mental Health Online provides comprehensive and effective online services and programs free of charge.
Crisis Assessment and Treatment (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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
