Drought Support Services
Dealing with drought can make you feel stressed, worried and uncertain about the future – especially if you or someone you love lives or works in a drought-affected rural area. There are a range of support services available to help. Check out the list below for national and state-specific options.
National drought support services
An Australian Government website that helps you find information, resources and services to suit your mental health needs.
Visit the Medicare Mental Health website for more information.
Provides 24/7 psychological support to drought-affected farmers in remote areas via SMS, email, online chat and, where required, face-to-face counselling on farming properties.
Visit the Virtual Psychologist website for more information, or email admin@virtualpsychologist.com.au.
This website supports country blokes to open up about mental health and suicide, while spreading awareness about depression in the bush.
Visit the Are You Bogged Mate? website for more information.
A website designed by Aussie farmers that provides practical tips for coping with difficult circumstances, thoughts and feelings.
Visit the ifarmwell website for more information.
Free and confidential online and telephone service for young people, operating 9 am–1 am 7 days a week. They’ll put you in touch with qualified and experienced youth mental health professionals who can give you helpful advice.
Visit the Headspace website for more information, or call 1800 650 890.
Provides 24/7 confidential telephone support, counselling and referrals from trained mental health professionals.
Visit the Beyond Blue website for more information, or call 1300 224 636.
A 24/7 confidential support and counselling service specifically for kids aged 5–25 years. Counselling can be provided online or over the telephone.
Visit the Kids Helpline website for more information, or call 1800 551 800.
A 24/7 confidential support service if you’re in a crisis or thinking about suicide.
Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. You can also visit the Lifeline website for online chat support and more information.
National helpline for First Nations people who are going through a tough time and feel like having a yarn. All operators are First Nations people who are trained to provide judgement-free support and to create a confidential, culturally safe space for you to yarn about your needs, worries or concerns.
Call 13 92 76, or visit the 13YARN website for more information.
State/territory-based drought support services
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP)
RAMHP coordinators are employed across regional, rural and remote New South Wales to provide health promotion and educational activities in their local communities and to link individuals with appropriate services.
Visit the RAMPH website to find your nearest RAMHP coordinator and to access self-help resources.
NSW Mental Health Line
A 24/7 telephone service staffed by mental health clinicians. They can provide advice about symptoms, guidance on how urgently care is needed, and information on where to get further help.
Call 1800 011 511, or visit the NSW Health website for more information.
The WayAhead Directory
An online database that can help you to find nearby services, make referrals and access detailed information about mental health.
Visit the WayAhead Directory website for more information.
1300 MH CALL
A 24/7 telephone service that provides the first point of contact to public mental health services in Queensland.
Call 1300 642 255, or visit the QLD Government website for more information.
Flying Doctor Drought Wellbeing Service
Offers counselling and support to Queenslanders living and working in drought-affected rural and remote areas. They can also link you with a mental health professional via telephone.
Call 1300 010 174, or email outback@rfdsqld.com.au, or visit the RFDS website for more information.
Triage (Royal Melbourne Hospital)
A 24/7 telephone service that can help with administration, information, assessment and referral for mental health concerns.
Call 1300 874 243, or visit the RMH website for more information.
Access Mental Health ACT
A 24/7 telephone service that can help with administration, information, assessment and referral for mental health concerns.
Call 1800 629 354, or visit the Canberra Health Services website for more information.
NT Mental Health Line
A 24/7 telephone service that can help with administration, information, assessment and referral for mental health concerns.
Call 1800 682 288, or visit the NT Government website for more information.
Rural and Remote Distance Consultation and Emergency Triage and Liaison Service
A 24/7 telephone service that can help with administration, information, assessment and referral for mental health concerns.
Call 13 14 65, or visit the SA Health website for more information.
Access Mental Health Helpline
A 24/7 telephone service that can help with administration, information, assessment and referral for mental health concerns.
Call 1800 332 388, or visit the TAS Health website for more information.
RAW (Rural Alive & Well)
Not-for-profit organisation that provides free and confidential outreach support for rural Tasmanians. RAW outreach workers can come to you, or you can talk on the phone. They can provide information, give support and link you to other services.
Call 1800 729 827, or visit the RAW TAS website for more information.
Mental Health Emergency Response Line
A 24/7 telephone service that will connect you to mental health professionals.
Call 1300 555 788 (Metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel), or visit the MHCWA website for more information.
Rurallink
Mental health telephone service for people in rural communities of Western Australia. Available 4.30 pm–8.30 am Monday to Friday and 24/7 Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Call 1800 552 002, or visit the Rurallink website for more information.
Samaritans Crisis Line
Telephone crisis support for people experiencing distress across Western Australia. Available 8 am–8 pm 7 days a week.
Call 08 6383 9850, or visit the Samaritans website for more information.
What can I do now?
Check out some tips on coping with stress from the drought.
Read Emma’s story about coping with the drought.
Find out why talking helps when you’re going through a tough time.