Suicide Prevention
Local Information Kit
Tweed Byron Suicide Prevention Strategy
Help in a Crisis
24 hour help in a crisis 1800 011 511
NSW Mental Health Line offers professional help and advice, and referrals to local mental health services.
It is staffed by mental health professionals who will ask questions to determine the type of mental health care and how urgently it is needed.
They can put you in contact with the most relevant mental health service for children, teens, adults and older people.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Lifeline 13 11 14 for crisis and suicide prevention support
www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 call for urgent assistance for people 15yrs+. Also offers free online counselling with professionally trained counsellors. Contact them if you are concerned about someone and learn about the warning signs and how to talk with someone who might be feeling suicidal
24 hour mental health support & counselling
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
MensLine Australia – talk with a counsellor by phone or online
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline is counselling for young people aged up to 25 years, private, no name required (parent can initiate call)
Beyondblue 1300 224 636
Beyondblue 1300 224 636 all calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential. To chat online between 3pm and midnight, visit
Alcohol Drug Information Service 1800 250 015
Alcohol Drug Information Service for anyone who wants access to support, information, advice, crisis counselling and referral to services in NSW
1800RESPECT
RESPECT 1800 737 732 is the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service providing a free, confidential counselling, information and referral service
Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463
Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463 to access counselling, information and referrals for women and same-sex partners who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence
Open Arms - Veterans and Families Counselling 1800 011 046
Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling provides free and confidential counselling, as well as group treatment program, community and peer network, suicide prevention training
Local Groups & Organisations Supporting Mental Health
Complete Men
provide weekly Men’s Groups that offer support, growth, hope and direction to many men who are seeking answers to their current life dilemmas. Based in Tweed Heads, Gold Coast and Byron Bay
Contact Tim on 0478 508 155 or visit www.completemen.org
Mission Australia Family and Carer Mental Health Program 0429 507 575
provides support, education and services for families and carers of people with a mental illness
The Family Centre 1800 211 154
offers a range of services including: Child and Family Work, Playgroups, Parenting Courses, Relationship Consultations, Youth and Family Work, Connecting Home (homelessness services for young people), and school programs. To find out more call between 9am–12.30pm Monday to Friday on 1800 211 154
GP referrals and mental health services
Connect to Wellbeing Suicide Prevention Service 1300 160 339
Connect to Wellbeing Suicide Prevention Service for people at low to moderate risk of suicide and/or self-harm. Not intended to support people who are at acute and immediate risk. Provides short-term psychological intervention, strategies and techniques to help people manage their mental health.
Referrals can be sent to: “Connect to Wellbeing” via Email: [email protected] or Fax: 02 8212 8936.
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to access psychological support (up to 10 sessions) which can be bulk-billed or a gap fee charged. Referrals are obtained following consultation with a GP
New Access 1800 010 630 (Beyond Blue)
New Access (Beyond Blue) is a free mental health coaching program. It’s for anyone feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed about everyday life issues, such as work, study, relationships, health or loneliness. No referral required; face-to-face or via phone for 6 sessions. No referral required; face-to-face or via phone for 6 sessions
headspace Tweed Heads (07) 5589 8700
headspace Tweed Heads provides free counselling and support to young people from 12-25 years. Covers issues such as relationships, drug and alcohol, mental health, bullying, anxiety, depression, bad thoughts and uncertainty about the future. Open Mon-Wed, Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm; Thurs 9.00am – 7.00pm (closed weekends)
The Buttery (02) 6687 1111
The Buttery has a number of programs supporting mental health:
Relapse Prevention Aftercare Service supports people in recovery from drug and/or alcohol dependence. For people aged 18 to 65 years assessed by an Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) clinician or GP as having a recent substance use disorder and requiring support to prevent relapse. Operates across the region including Tweed and Byron.
b.well Outreach Service is a free program that supports people over 12 years of age who have problems with both their mental health and drug and/or alcohol misuse. It offers education, group counselling, individual treatment and life skills programs in the far north of NSW. Family and carer support is also available.
INTRA is a free outreach program which aims to reduce the harm from the use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and assist people to achieve their goals around their alcohol and other drug use. They offer a range of group programs and individual counselling sessions. They are in Lismore, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads and Ballina.
Northern Rivers Gambling Service offers free counselling and support services for people affected by gambling related problems.
To self-refer for any of these programs, Call The Buttery on: 02 6687 1111 or email [email protected]
ACON Health Northern Rivers (02) 6622 1555
ACON Health Northern Rivers provides free Counselling and Care-Coordination support for people aged 18+ who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) and people living with HIV. LGBTI people can access up to 12 free counselling sessions per year, and people can self-refer (no need for a GP referral). Face-to-face appointments in Lismore and phone or Skype support across all of NSW. Open Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
Phone & Online Support & Counselling
eHeadspace 1800 650 890
eHeadspace (9am–1am) telephone and online support and counselling to young people 12 –25yrs and their families and friends
SANE Australia Helpline 1800 187 263
provides information, guidance and referrals needed to manage mental health concerns, including how to help someone who is suicidal
QLife 1800 184 527
chat support, counselling and referral service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people
Parentline NSW 1300 1300 52
a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in NSW
Carers Australia 1800 422 737
provides short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families
Mindspot
an online clinic that provides free online screening assessments and free treatment courses to help recover from the symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain
MyCompass
a personalised self-help tool for managing mental health from the Black Dog Institute
PatientInfo
is a website with information and resources recommended by local health professionals
(follow the links for ‘Mental Health’ to access information about suicide)
HealthPathways
is an information portal supporting primary care clinicians to plan patient care within Mid and North Coast NSW
Support to families & others affected by suicide
National Indigenous Critical Response Service 1800 805 801
supports individuals, families, and communities affected by suicide or other significant trauma. The service usually operates 24hrs/7 days a week
Standby 1300 727 247
for face-to-face and telephone support based in northern NSW for family, friends and anyone impacted from the death of a person by suicide (or serious attempt)
Beyondblue 1300 224 636
Beyondblue 1300 224 636 all calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential. To chat online, visit
Tweed/Gold Coast Suicide Bereavement Support Group 0474 206 486
a free, facilitated, ongoing group for those 18+ who have lost someone to suicide. An opportunity to share stories and talk about suicide in a safe and non-judgemental environment. Meetings held 1st Friday of the month 6-8pm at The Family Centre Tweed Heads
Support after a suicide attempt
The Way Back Service
is a program available to people admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt. The program is a free service which can connect people with a range of supports. Eligible people can be referred by staff in The Tweed and Lismore Hospitals.
A Way Back team member will make contact within 24 hours and work with the person to develop a safety plan. The team member will provide guidance, encouragement and follow-up for up to three months. The program can offer contact with a trained Lived Experience Peer Support Volunteer.
An online booklet ‘Guiding their way back’ which provides education and advice to partners, family members and other support people is available from
Grow 1800 558 268
is a national community organisation that enables personal growth
and development for all people and offers hope and recovery. They welcome people experiencing a mental health condition, addiction or having difficulty with life’s challenges. Grow helps people to help
themselves to overcome obstacles, to live a life of meaning, hope and optimism. The Tweed group meets weekly every Monday
10am-12pm, Anglican Church Hall, cnr Florence & Powell St, South Tweed
