Understand what happens when you connect with Lifeline, what we do, and how we might be able to help

If life is in danger call 000

When I am at my lowest, reaching out to an independent listening ear like Lifeline is invaluable. 
 

What happens when you contact Lifeline

Call

Text

Online chat

"I dialed 13 11 14...A lovely woman picked up, I said 'I don't really know why I called', and she said 'That's alright Ben, that's normally how the conversation begins'...That woman, God bless her, whoever she is, set into course a chain of events that ended up saving my life. That's why I'm here today."

Understand what happens when you connect with Lifeline, what we do, and how we might be able to help.

Explains the different ways to contact Lifeline, what to expect when you connect with a crisis supporter, and how Lifeline might be able to help.

Contacting Lifeline

Getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan is a great first step to making a lasting difference to how you’re feeling. It can be tricky or intimidating to navigate at first, so here we have broken it down to its simplest form.

Booking in to see my GP and getting a plan helped me take back some sense of control. I decided I wanted to feel better for me and only me.

What to expect during your GP appointment

I was stuck inside my own head and couldn’t see a way out. Opening up about my mental health and getting another perspective was the only way I could move forward.

(Ideally) book into a GP with an interest in mental health

Reflect on your goals or future hopes

Prepare any questions you have

Take the time you need

Check for any pricing gap with your mental health professional

Getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan is a great first step to improving your wellbeing. However, it can be tricky to navigate, so we've broken it down for you.

Explains what a Mental Health Treatment Plan is, how to request one from your GP, and tips for getting the most out of your GP visit.

Getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan is a great first step to improve how you’re feeling. It can be tricky to navigate, so we've broken it down for you.

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

It's common to feel unsure or nervous about your first therapy session, but it's not as scary as you might think! Here's what to expect in your first therapy session. 

What to expect in your first therapy session

You may want to know

It felt so good to talk about my feelings, and not have to worry about what the other person was thinking. And the fact they were here for support. 

You might feel a bit nervous about your first therapy session, but it's not as scary as you might think! Here's what to expect in your first therapy session. 

Explains what your first therapy session might feel like and offers tips for making sure you've found the right therapist for you.

Smiling Mind is a mindfulness and meditation app that helps kids, teens, and adults improve their wellbeing and achieve specific mental health goals like better sleep, reduced stress, stronger relationships, and more.

Smiling Mind is a mindfulness and meditation app that helps kids, teens, and adults improve their wellbeing, build mental fitness, and achieve specific goals.


A free app with self-guided mindfulness programs for kids, teens, and adults to help improve their wellbeing and manage challenges like stress and anxiety.

Smiling Mind is a mindfulness and meditation app that helps kids, teens, and adults improve their wellbeing, build mental fitness, and achieve specific goals.

Smiling Mind

I Am Sober is a sobriety tracking and support app that can help you manage urges and stay sober from alcohol, drugs, and other harmful behaviours.

Thousands of other people are going through the exact same thing you are. Connect with others that have the same addiction, and at the same point in their sobriety.

I Am Sober is a sobriety tracking and support app that can help you stay sober from alcohol, drugs, and other harmful behaviours. You can build new habits, learn strategies for managing urges, and find motivation from people going through similar challenges.

A free sobriety tracking and support app for people recovering from addiction to alcohol, drugs, and other harmful behaviours.

I Am Sober

MoodGym is a self-paced, interactive, and evidence-based online program that helps you learn how to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety through skills based on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).

MoodGym is a self-paced, interactive, and evidence-based online program that helps you learn how to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.


A self-paced, interactive, and evidence-based online program that helps you learn how to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

MoodGym is a self-paced, interactive, and evidence-based online program that helps you learn how to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

MoodGym

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In this episode of Lifeline's Holding on to Hope podcast, Davina, a journalist and mother of two, shares her story of battling anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), postnatal depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Davina

Davina, a journalist and mother of two, shares what it's like to struggle with postnatal depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thoughts.

In this episode of Lifeline's Holding on to Hope podcast, Davina, a journalist and mum of two shares her story of battling anxiety, postnatal depression & PTSD.

Davina's Story

In this episode of Lifeline's Holding on to Hope podcast, Lachie shares how he was able to turn the mental health challenges he faced as a FIFO remote worker into purpose.

Lachie

Lachie shares how he was able to turn the mental health challenges he faced as a FIFO remote worker into purpose.

Lachie shares how he was able to turn the mental health challenges he faced as a FIFO worker in remote Australia into purpose.

Lachie's Story

In this episode of Lifeline's Holding on to Hope podcast, Kate describes how pokies were wrecking her life before overcoming her addiction and helping many others live their best lives. 

Kate

Kate shares how she was able to overcome her addiction to pokies and why she's now passionate about helping others live their best lives.

Kate's Story

Beyond Blue offers free and confidential 24/7 counselling for anyone looking for a little help with their mental health.

What happens when you contact Beyond Blue?

Translation, hearing, and speech services

Beyond Blue provides free and confidential 24/7 phone and online support for anyone facing mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Call 1300 224 636.

Provides free and confidential 24/7 information and support via phone, chat and email for anyone wanting help with their or someone else's mental health.

Beyond Blue provides free and confidential 24/7 phone and online support for anyone facing mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Beyond Blue

MensLine Australia provides free 24/7 counselling, information, and referrals for men with relationship, mental health, and wellbeing concerns. Call 1300 789 978.

MensLine Australia is a free and confidential 24/7 counselling, information, and referral service for men with mental health, anger management, relationship, family violence, addiction, and wellbeing concerns. Call 1300 789 978.

Offers free and confidential 24/7 counselling, information, and referrals for men with relationship, mental health, and wellbeing concerns.

MensLine Australia is a free 24/7 counselling, information, and referral service for men with relationship, mental health, and wellbeing concerns.

MensLine Australia

1800RESPECT is a free and confidential 24/7 counselling, information, and referral service for anyone in Australia impacted by domestic and family violence. Call 1800 737 732.

1800RESPECT does not provide counselling to people using abuse or violence.

What to expect when you contact 1800RESPECT

1800RESPECT is a free and confidential 24/7 counselling, information, and referral service for anyone impacted by domestic and family violence. Call 1800 737 732.

Provides free, 24/7 confidential counselling and support for those impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence via phone, text, and online chat.

1800RESPECT is a free & confidential 24/7 counselling, information, and referral service for anyone impacted by domestic and family violence. Call 1800 737 732.

1800RESPECT

How does screen time impact mental health and wellbeing?

Sometimes, there’d be instances where I’d go to check a message and an hour later, I’m on social media.

Improved mental health and emotional wellbeing

Increased focus and productivity

Reconnection with the present moment

Increased productivity and self-reflection

Rediscovery of offline activities

Reassessment of digital habits and priorities

Better sleep

Here is an example of what a goal might look like:

More goal examples:

Strategies for a successful digital detox

Strategies for success

Excessive media and technology use can have a negative impact on your mental health, but a digital detox can help you bring things back into balance.

Explains why too much screen time can negatively impact your mental health, relationships, and overall wellbeing, and how doing a 'digital detox' can help.

How to do a digital detox

When I reframe the way I think about the situations, I can see it has a big impact on my life. 

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Thought: “I’m never going to find a job”

Thought:  "I'm not good enough"

Thought:  “I should just give up”

Thought: “I’m not good enough”

Thought: “I should just give up”

Our thoughts can have a powerful impact on our emotions and behaviour.
This activity can help you to manage your thoughts and emotions more effectively.

Explains how you can use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies to manage difficult, repetitive, and intrusive thoughts.

A CBT-based thought challenging activity

Mental and emotional effects

Physical effects

An image of three smartphones showing the type of information you can find on the Sleep Health Foundation website.

Looking for help with a diagnosed sleep condition?

This image features four lists of common sleep disruptors. The titles of each list are habits, environment, lifestyle, and physical health.

A note to parents and caregivers

How do existing mental health challenges impact sleep?

Not getting enough sleep can leave you feeling overwhelmed, distressed, and alone.

This image contains a list of habits that promote good sleep. It's intended to help people make changes that allow them to sleep better and improve their mental health.

Limit or avoid alcohol and/or nicotine

Limit or avoid caffeine

Move your body regularly

Minimise screen time

This infographic has tips for creating better sleep habits.

Get the right room temperature

Make it dark and quiet

Use an eye mask and earplugs

Keep your bedroom for sleep

Prioritise and practise self-care

Find practical ways to reduce and manage stress

Take time to process significant experiences 

Consider seeing a professional therapist

This infographic explains how to use visualisation as a strategy to relax and fall asleep.

Try deep breathing

Do a body scan

Listen to something to calm your mind

Label and let go of thoughts

Play the alphabet name game

List or think of something in order

Get up and start over

Tips for going back to sleep in the middle of the night

If you and/or your children are having trouble sleeping, help is available.

Improving your sleep can also improve your mental health. Learn about common sleep problems, tips for creating healthy sleep habits, and strategies for falling asleep.

Explains how improving your sleep can improve your mental health. Learn about common sleep problems, good sleep habits and strategies for falling asleep.

Improving your sleep can improve your mental health. Learn about sleep problems, tips for creating healthy sleep habits, and strategies for falling asleep.

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