health / local-support
Mental health crisis routing in Australia
How to choose between emergency help, crisis support and routine service navigation in Australia.
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- local-support
- national
- public-health
health
Mental health support starts with risk. If someone cannot stay safe or is in immediate danger, call 000. If the risk is not immediate, crisis and health services can help route the next step.
Safety and advice boundary
This is general navigation support only. It is not legal, financial, medical, eligibility, migration or crisis counselling advice. It cannot confirm your eligibility for any service. If someone is in immediate danger in Australia, call 000.
Plain-English answer
Mental health support starts with risk. If someone cannot stay safe or is in immediate danger, call 000. If the risk is not immediate, crisis and health services can help route the next step.
Who this helps
People who are distressed, supporting someone else, or unsure whether a situation needs emergency help.
What to do next
- 1Call 000 for immediate danger.
- 2Use Lifeline or healthdirect for crisis or health navigation when emergency response is not the right fit.
- 3Write down current risks, medication needs and who is nearby.
Check before you act
CivicAid does not provide crisis counselling. It can only help organise safe next steps.
Official sources
- Lifeline
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention service.
- healthdirect
Australian health information and service navigation.