Crisis helplines

Suicide Call Back Service 

The Suicide Call Back Service provides phone and online counselling support to anyone affected by suicide, living in Australia.

Hours: 24/7

Call 1300 659 467

Here For You 

The Here For You support line is for anyone seeking help for their own or someone else’s mental health, alcohol and or other drug-related challenges. 

Hours: 7am to 10pm daily

Call 1800 437 348 (toll free)

Lifeline WA

Lifeline WA provides all Western Australians experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide with access to crisis support.

Hours: 24/7

Call 13 11 14

Text 0477 13 11 14 (Lifeline Crisis Text Service)

13 Yarn

13 Yarn offers a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

Hours: 24/7

Call 13 92 76

CAMHS Crisis Connect

CAMHS Crisis Connect provides phone and online support for children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, and offers advice to families, carers and professionals.

Hours: 24/7

Call 1800 048 636

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL)

The MHERL is a 24-hour telephone service for people in the Perth metropolitan area experiencing a mental health crisis.

Hours: 24/7

Call 1300 555 788 (Metro)

Call 1800 676 822 (Peel region)

Rurallink 

Rurallink is an after-hours telephone service for people in rural and regional Western Australia experiencing a mental health crisis.

Hours: 4:30pm-8:30am weeknights, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays

Call 1800 552 002

Support for you

Coping with suicidal thoughts and behaviours

Having thoughts of suicide can feel overwhelming and sometimes scary. It can be hard to know what to do when you’re feeling this way. Please know that you don’t have to go through this alone, and that help is available. 

If you are in crisis or need urgent help now, go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital or call one of the crisis helplines on this page. 

If you don’t need urgent help but are struggling with thoughts of suicide, it may be helpful to explore what supports are available to you. A good place to start is making an appointment with your general practitioner (GP) to help you find the right support.

Sometimes services have long wait times. If you don’t get the help you need the first time, please keep trying. Additionally, if one service isn’t helpful or doesn’t feel right for you, it’s ok to try another. What works for one person, may not work for you. 

Many people who have had thoughts about hurting themselves or ending their life have found a way through, even when it felt overwhelming. These thoughts can pass, and things can change with the right support. You don’t have to go through this alone – help is available.

Looking after yourself

There are many ways you can look after yourself and support your mental health and wellbeing. Everyone is different, so it’s ok to try a few things to see what works for you. 

This might include simple steps like getting some rest, spending time with people you trust, doing something you enjoy, or taking a break when things feel overwhelming.

You can visit the Think Mental Health website for ideas and practical ways to support your mental health and wellbeing.  

Getting support after a suicide attempt

If you have made a suicide attempt, it’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible. You should go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital, even if you’re unsure how serious it is. 

Getting back on track after a suicide attempt often involves support to address what’s led to your distress. Be kind and patient with yourself. Recovery can take time, but with the right support, things can start to feel more manageable and hopeful again. A first step after immediate care might be to contact your GP. They can help you explore ongoing support options, including referral pathways such as a Mental Health Treatment Plan. 

Find out more

Aftercare Services Program provides up to three months of free, non-clinical support for people aged 16 and over who have presented to an emergency department after a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis. It offers short‑term follow‑up, safety planning, and help connecting with ongoing care once someone leaves hospital, so you don’t have to navigate early recovery alone.

Aftercare services are currently available in the Perth Metropolitan and South West regions. 

Find out more about the Metropolitan service

Find out more about the South West service

You can find other supports using the helplines listed above or visiting Getting Help.

Culture Care Connect provides culturally safe, community‑led aftercare and suicide prevention support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, delivered through local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

Supporting others

Creating a sense of hope is an important part of suicide prevention.

Many people may have thoughts about suicide at some point in their lives, but not everyone will act on these thoughts. Support and early intervention can make a difference. 

Signs someone may be thinking about suicide 

People who are thinking about suicide might display noticeable changes in their behaviour, mood or the way they talk. These signs can vary from person to person and may appear gradually or suddenly. 

Behaviour changes may include:

• withdrawal from friends, family, or usual activities
• decline in school or work performance
• lack of self-care, changes in personal appearance and hygiene
• increased risk-taking (e.g. increased use of alcohol and other drugs, or being careless and reckless)
• self-harm
• making final arrangements, including a will (not necessarily a formal document), giving things away, writing suicide notes, goodbye letters or saying goodbye.

Any significant change should always be taken seriously. If you are unsure, it is always better to check in and seek help than do nothing. 

Mood and emotional changes may include:

• persistent sadness, distress, or tearfulness
• irritability, anger, or sudden mood swings
• feeling hopeless, trapped, or overwhelmed
• feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness
• increased anxiety or agitation
• emotional exhaustion or feeling “numb”.

Physical changes may include:

• changes in sleep (sleeping much more or less)
• changes in appetite or weight
• fatigue or lack of energy.

Some people may talk about how they are feeling, but not everyone will. 

Verbal signs may include:

• talking about suicide, death or wanting to die
• saying they are a burden to others
• expressing feeling alone, helpless, or there is “no way out”
• talking about not having a future or a reason to live
• joking about death or dying.

Providing support to someone who may be suicidal

There are four things you can do to support someone who may be feeling suicidal:

1. Ask. If you think someone might be suicidal, be direct and ask them, "Are you thinking about suicide?". Don’t be afraid to do this. Asking someone if they are feeling suicidal won’t increase their risk of suicide, it can actually reduce it by showing you care and are willing to listen. For more guidance, visit the Conversations Matter website.
2. Listen and give support. If they answer “yes”, they are suicidal, listen without judgement and give them space to talk about how they are feeling. Take what they say seriously. Stay with them, or make sure another trusted person is with them. Avoid leaving them alone if you are concerned about their safety.
3. Get them help. Encourage and support the person to access professional help.  If it’s safe to do so, stay with them while help is arranged. You can also help reduce immediate risk by making the environment safer where possible. If a life is in danger, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000) or take them straight to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
   • If there is no immediate danger, call a crisis line such as Lifeline on 13 11 14 or another helpline.
   • If you can get in straight away, take them to see a GP or psychologist. 
   • If you are supporting someone who may be suicidal, you can help them book and see a GP who can provide referral options for ongoing support, such as a Mental Health Treatment Plan. 
   • For information about contacting a GP or mental health professional, refer to our webpage GP’s, Psychologists and Psychiatrist.
4. Follow up and check on the person often. Showing that you care can make a difference. Even if things seem to have improved, they may still need support over time.

Remember, you don’t have to manage this alone. Supporting someone can be challenging, so it’s important to seek support for yourself and reach out when you need help.

Having someone close to you attempt suicide can be a difficult and confronting experience. Many people feel unsure about what to say or do to help. 

It is common to feel a mix of emotions such as shock, confusion, sadness, guilt, shame, anger or fear. Some people blame themselves or think “if only I had noticed sooner”. It’s important to remember that this is not your fault. Suicide attempts are complex, and no one person is to blame.

If the person needs emergency medical treatment, contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000) or go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital. If their situation is not life threatening, you can help them access care through an urgent care clinic, a GP, or by calling 1800MEDICARE. 

Looking after yourself while supporting someone else

Supporting someone experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours can be challenging. To be there for someone else, it’s important to look after your own wellbeing too.

Taking time to recognise your own needs matters. Seeking support to manage stress and process your emotions can be a helpful strategy that enables you to provide support in a more sustainable way. Support services for people caring for someone who is suicidal can be found here. 

You do not have to do this alone and it’s important to reach out for help when you need it.  

Making time to incorporate some of the below strategies can help with self-care: 

• try to eat well and get enough sleep 
• make time for activities you enjoy  
• set boundaries and be clear about what you can and can’t do  
• seek support when you need it – you can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything on your own 
• share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust – this could include friends, support groups, helplines, your GP or a counsellor
• acknowledge and celebrate small wins or achievements. 

“When someone takes their own life…what next?” is a helpful resource for people impacted, or supporting somebody impacted, by a death by suicide. It includes information about:

• understanding grief after suicide
• the role of the Office of the State Coroner
• managing practical matters such as finances
• supporting children and young people
• funeral arrangements
• social media and communication
• getting help and supporting others 

If you know someone whose family member or friend has died by suicide, but are not sure what to say or what to do, Conversations Matter’s Those Bereaved by Suicide resource provides helpful tips for talking to someone who has lost a family member, friend or colleague to suicide.