Australia has a range of mental health services to meet the needs of multicultural communities. You can use our list to help find out more about relevant national and local providers.
NEED HELP NOW?
If your life is in danger CALL 000
Your first point of contact when experiencing poor mental health should always be your General Practitioner. They will be able to discuss your individual needs and circumstances and help you come up with some next steps.
If you need help finding a General Practitioner, talk to people in your community or a service you can trust to find some suggestions in your area.
If you live in Australia and are in an immediate crisis, please call one of the following numbers:
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78
- Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
- Emergency Services - 000
We have provided a list of relevant national, state and territory mental health providers below.
National services and agencies
- Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT). FASSTT is a national coalition of organisations that respond to the needs of survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia from overseas. There is an agency in each state and territory of Australia, see below for more information.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health:
Mental health services funded by the Australian Government:
- Department of Social Services (DSS)
DSS helps to support Australians' mental health and wellbeing through a range of programs & services.
- Personal Helpers and Mentors
Aims to provide increased opportunities for recovery for people whose lives are severely affected by mental illness. The services help participants to better manage their daily activities and reconnect to their community.
- Mental Health Respite: Carer Support
Aims to provide a range of flexible respite options to carers of people with mental illness or intellectual disability.
- Family Mental Health Support Services
Aims to provide support to families, children and young people affected by mental illness through a diverse range of services targeting prevention and early intervention -
Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is a national online and phone service that provides practical information and resources to support carers. The interactive service finder helps carers connect to local support services.
State and Territory Services
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
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Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC). A state-wide service that promotes access to mental health services for people of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, provides clinical consultation and assessment, mental health promotion, develops resources and provides education and training.
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Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, STARTTS
Northern Territory
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Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory (MCNT). Provides information and advice about multicultural issues.
Queensland
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Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC)The Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC) is a state-wide service which provides an information, referral, resource and clinical consultation service.
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Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT)
South Australia
Tasmania
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Phoenix Centre A program within the Migrant Resource Centre offering specialist services for survivors of torture and trauma.
Victoria
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Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) (formerly the Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit (VTPU)). A state-wide unit which supports clinical mental health services and psychiatric disability support services in working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers and carers throughout Victoria. Includes an enquiry service for practitioners, service and community development, education, consumer and carer participation programs.
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Foundation House - The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc.