Analytics consent. With your permission, analytics records activity using a general content category rather than the specific health page. It does not receive form answers, health details or query strings.

HerDoc
Get help

HerDoc is launching soon. We are not taking appointments yet.

Urgent mental-health help

Get urgent mental-health help

Call 000 now if you or someone else is in immediate danger, may act on thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or cannot stay safe. You can also go to the nearest emergency department if you can get there safely.

When should I get urgent mental-health help?

For immediate danger, serious injury, an overdose or severe confusion, call 000 now. For suicidal thoughts or severe emotional distress without immediate danger, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for support now. HerDoc is not an emergency or crisis service; do not wait for a GP appointment.

When you need emergency help

Call 000 if someone cannot stay safe, may seriously harm themselves or another person, has a serious injury or overdose, or is severely confused. Follow the operator’s instructions. If travelling to an emergency department, do so only if it is safe.

If someone is behaving dangerously, move to safety and call 000. You do not need to manage the situation alone.

Crisis support you can contact now

If there is no immediate danger but you are having suicidal thoughts or need support through severe distress, contact a crisis service. These Australian phone services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your safety worsens while waiting, call 000.

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14, crisis support for people in Australia.
  • Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467, phone counselling for people in Australia aged 15 and over who are affected by suicide or emotional distress.
  • 13YARN: 13 92 76, support with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
  • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800, counselling for people aged 5 to 25 living in Australia.

If you are worried about someone else

Ask directly whether they are thinking about suicide, listen without judgement and help them contact support. You can contact a crisis service yourself for advice about someone you are worried about.

If there is immediate danger, call 000. Stay with the person if it is safe, or help them connect with someone who can support them. Do not put yourself at risk or try to manage dangerous behaviour alone.

When the situation needs prompt assessment

Seek urgent local assessment for new or worsening hallucinations, severe agitation or difficulty caring for basic needs. Call 000 if there is immediate danger, severe confusion or the person cannot stay safe.

If you are unsure how urgently a health concern needs attention and there is no immediate danger, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Finding ongoing help

For concerns that are not immediate or a crisis, a GP or local mental-health service can help you discuss your symptoms and ongoing care. A routine HerDoc consultation cannot provide emergency response or replace crisis support.

Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 can help people in Australia find mental-health support. Its phone service operates from 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. It is not an emergency or crisis service.

When telehealth may not be suitable

  • Emergency response, crisis support or immediate safety needs require emergency or crisis services.

When to seek urgent care

Call 000 now for immediate danger, inability to stay safe, serious injury, overdose or severe confusion. For crisis support without immediate danger, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Do not wait for HerDoc.

Related pages

Back to topicMental healthMental healthAnxiety and low moodMental healthStress and burnoutMental healthSleep problems

FAQs

What if I have suicidal thoughts but do not think I will act on them?

Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for support now and tell someone you trust what is happening. You do not need to wait until the situation becomes an emergency. If you may act on the thoughts or cannot stay safe, call 000 or go to an emergency department.

What if I would rather type than talk?

Lifeline offers online chat and text support as well as its phone service, available day and night. Use the Lifeline website to choose how to connect. If you are in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 000 rather than waiting for a chat response.

Can I call a crisis service about someone else?

Yes. Lifeline and Suicide Call Back Service can support people worried about someone else. If that person is in immediate danger, call 000. Keep yourself safe while helping them connect with support.

Can HerDoc help me in a crisis?

HerDoc is not an emergency or crisis service. Call 000 for immediate danger or inability to stay safe; contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support when there is no immediate danger. Do not wait for a HerDoc appointment.