Health and wellbeing support
Dealing with an issue at work or running a workplace can be stressful.
There is support available to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
On this page:
- Access an employee assistance program
- Speak to your doctor
- Chat to a free phone or online service
- Tools and resources
- Related information
Access an employee assistance program
Your workplace may have a free employee assistance program (EAP).
An EAP is a free and confidential counselling service available to employees of a workplace.
See if your workplace offers an EAP and if you can book an appointment. Look at your work intranet or speak to someone you trust at your work to see how you can access it.
Speak to your doctor
Start by speaking to your doctor (GP). They can give you help or refer you to:
- other medical professionals
- online resources to help.
Go to the Health Direct website to find local health services.
Chat to a free phone or online service
There are many organisations that provide free counselling, information, advice and support online and over the phone:
- If you need help right now
- If you’re a business owner and need support
- If you want to be connected to mental health services
- If you’re aged under 25
- If you want to chat anonymously and get support
- If you need help with financial stress
If you need help right now
Below are some free services that can help with mental health:
- Lifelineor call 13 11 14 – a 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention service. They also have a free online chat serviceeach evening from 7pm to midnight (local time).
- Beyond Blue or call 1300 22 4636 – information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
- 1800 RESPECT or call 1800 737 732 – 1800RESPECT is the national sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service.
- Suicide Call Back Service – a free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
- MensLine Australia or call 1300 78 99 78 – a free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.
If you’re a business owner and need support
- NewAccess for Small Business Owners – a free, guided mental health coaching program developed by Beyond Blue, offering flexible phone and video call support options for small business owners so they can manage stress and improve their mental wellbeing.
- Ahead for Business – support and information, programs and interventions to support small business owners with their mental health and wellbeing.
If you want to be connected to mental health services
- Head to Health – gives free information and advice and can help connect you to mental health support.
- Mental health helplines – a list of mental health helplines recommended by Health Direct.
If you’re aged under 25
- Kids Helpline or call 1800 55 1800 – a free and confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged under 25.
If you want to chat anonymously and get support
- ReachOut – a safe place to chat online anonymously, get support and feel better.
If you need help with financial stress
- National Debt Helpline or call 1800 007 007 – provides information about the key rights you have in some common debt situations. This includes fines, personal credit cards and loans, debt collection, bills and payday loans.
- ATO – Financial difficulties and disasters – provides information about managing tax and super if you experience financial difficulties or disasters.
- Small Business Debt Helpline or call 1800 413 828 – a free service for small businesses in financial difficulty that provides free, independent and non-judgemental advice.
- Moneysmart – Urgent help with money – help for if you’re feeling overwhelmed, in crisis or struggling to make ends meet.