What is a mental health crisis?

A mental health crisis is a situation when someone feels overwhelmed by emotions, stress or trauma. This can lead to thoughts or actions that might be harmful to themselves or others. This can include:

• suicidal thoughts or behaviour
• aggressive behaviour
• severe psychotic states, which may involve delusions, hallucinations, and confusion

A mental health crisis can be triggered by conditions such as:

• depression
• anxiety
• psychosis
• substance abuse

In these situations, it's important to get immediate help to prevent harm to the person or others.

How can I get help during a mental health crisis?

If you are worried you may harm yourself or someone else, or if someone you know is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000).

National crisis support numbers

There are several organisations that provide support for people and their families and carers:

• Lifeline — call 13 11 14 for crisis support and suicide prevention services
• Beyond Blue — call 1300 22 4636 for support with anxiety, depression, and mental health crises
• Suicide Call Back Service — call 1300 659 467 for counselling for people affected by suicide, or with thoughts of suicide

State and territory crisis support numbers

Here's how you can get support across different states and territories in Australia:

• NSW — call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511
• VIC — call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. You can also use Victoria’s Mental Health Services directory to find specialist mental health services around Victoria.
• QLD — call 1300 MH CALL on 1300 642 255
• SA — call the Mental Health Triage Service on 13 14 65
• WA — call the Mental Health Emergency Response Line on 1300 555 788 (Metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel)
• TAS — call the Mental Health Services Helpline on 1800 332 388
• NT — call the Mental Health Line an 1800 682 288
• ACT — call the Access Mental Health Line on 1800 629 354

Seeking help for a loved one

If you’re seeking help for a loved one who is in a crisis, take them to the emergency department of your local hospital.

• Call triple zero (000) if they are a danger to themselves or others.
• If they refuse your help, you can contact the local Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) through your closest public hospital. In some parts of Australia, this is called the Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET).
• You can also contact one of the state or national mental health helplines for advice on steps to take.

CATT teams are made up of mental health professionals who will assess the situation and decide the best way to support the person in crisis. This could be a home visit or treatment in hospital.

When should I call an ambulance?

You should call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance immediately if someone is in danger of harming themselves or others.

Also seek help if a person shows severe symptoms such as:

• extreme agitation
• hallucinations or delusions
• aggressive behaviour

Safety tips

The following tips can help to keep you and the other person safe if they are experiencing a mental health crisis:

• Approach the person carefully, keep a safe distance and a clear exit path.
• Never put yourself at risk. If possible, remove any items the person could use to harm themselves or others.
• If the person has a weapon, call triple zero (000) and ask for the police.
• Listen more than you talk. Speak calmly and avoid doing things that could upset them more.

What happens if I need to go to hospital?

During a mental health crisis, you might need to go to hospital for treatment. Treatment may include medicines and therapy. You can ask to be admitted to the hospital if you need urgent help. In some situations, you may be hospitalised without your permission — this is called involuntary hospitalisation.

Laws about involuntary hospitalisation vary by state. Generally, you can only be hospitalised without your permission if you meet all the following criteria:

• you have a mental illness
• you need treatment
• you can’t make decisions about your own care
• you are considered a danger to your own safety or to someone else’s safety

When you arrive at the hospital, doctors will assess your mental health and work with you to decide the best treatment plan.  

Are there costs involved?

The cost of mental health services can vary depending on the service you receive. Services at public hospitals and emergency departments are usually covered by Medicare. This means there are no costs if you have a Medicare number. If you choose private services, there may be costs that Medicare doesn’t fully cover.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider or insurance company to understand any costs you might need to pay.

Resources and support

• For advice and connections to local mental health services, call Head to Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.
• Reachout can help if you’re under 25 years old and need a safe place to chat anonymously or get support.
• If you are planning, starting, or raising a family, contact PANDA for a confidential chat about how you’ve been feeling — call 1300 726 306.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

• Embrace Multicultural Mental Health offers mental health resources and personal stories translated in more than 30 languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

• 13YARN offers a 24/7 confidential, culturally safe space to yarn about your worries or concerns.
• National Indigenous Postvention Service offers support to families impacted by a loss from suicide or another traumatic event.
• Yarn Safe by headspace supports people aged 12 to 25 years going through a hard time — chat online.
• Dardi Munwurro provides crisis support for Aboriginal men. Call the crisis line on 1800 435 799.

Looking for information for sexually and gender-diverse families?

• HERE provides information on suicide and situational distress, and connects people of diverse genders and sexualities and their loved ones.