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Helplines are telephone and text services that help with a range of challenges. These could include violence and abuse, disability, mental health difficulties, and more. Helpline staff listen without judging. They can connect you to practical support. This article will help you decide who to call and how to prepare.
Before calling a helpline, we recommend three simple steps:
Callers who can’t hear well or have difficulties talking should first contact the National Relay Service (NRS) by phoning 133 677.
Callers from a non-English speaking background can gain support from the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) by phoning 13 14 50.
When we face tough times, it's easy to feel alone. However, other people have gone through tough times, too. A helpline can provide practical help and emotional support.
People call helplines for many reasons. The reasons include wanting to:
Once you know what help you need, you can choose a helpline to provide it.
All sorts of helplines are available in Australia. Helplines offer support for:
To find an appropriate helpline, enter the words "Australia" and "helpline" and then the issue you need help with into an online search engine.
For example, you could search for "Australia," "Helpline" and:
A useful helpline will likely appear in the top two or three results.
The Neve website also provides information and support, including a list of helplines. You might find the help you need in the Neve Helpline directory (internal link).
Make a list of what you need from the helpline. It could be:
Have this list with you when you make the call so you can share it with the person who answers.
Make a list of other questions about the conversation. It might include things like:
Have a pen and paper handy so that you can take notes throughout the conversation if it is safe for you to do so. If you want to record audio of the conversation, ask the person on the other end of the line first. Only record the call if they say it's okay.
Find a time and place where you can speak privately and openly. If you're worried that your house isn't a safe place to talk, make the call elsewhere. If your phone isn't private, you could use a payphone, a public library, or borrow the phone of someone you trust.
Take your time with the call. Set aside enough time to talk. Remember, there may be time on hold as well as the time you spend talking. Before the call ends, ask for time to think about whether you've talked about everything on your list. If you think of other issues, talk about those too.
Violence impacts people everywhere. You might see or suspect it in your workplace or home. Violence may affect a friend, family member, client or colleague. It may cause harm to children or young people you know. It can add to the barriers faced by someone with a disability. Knowing when to intervene and what to do or say about violence is challenging. The person affected might not even realise they are experiencing violence or abuse. This website section shares information about preventing violence and increasing safety. It acknowledges the complicated feelings that violence can provoke. It offers advice about talking about violence: how to get the conversation started and how to respect the perspectives of others.
Find out moreIf you have experienced violence, you might need to take legal action or go to court. Legal support can help you through the process. Here, we describe services that can help. We explain how to get the most out of the services available.
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