Find Related Organisations
Grief, particularly in response to suicide, can be very difficult and overwhelming but there are organisations and programs that have particular knowledge and experience in providing resources, support and counselling to children, young people and adults who are bereaved by suicide.
Types of Help Available
Suicide Specific Counselling and Support
- Victoria
- ACT
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Western Australia
Victoria
– Melbourne
- Support After Suicide
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Location: Richmond, VIC
Phone: 03 9421 7640
Counselling and group programs. Counselling is available in other metropolitan locations: Lalor, Ferntree Gully, Dandenong, Frankston and Melbourne CBD. Education, training and secondary consultation for education, health and welfare professionals across both metropolitan and rural Victoria. No cost.
- Support After Suicide Group
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Location: Richmond, VIC
Phone: 03 9421 7640
An opportunity for people who have been recently suicide bereaved to gain a greater understanding of their situation and to spend time and communicate with others who have also been bereaved by suicide. For information about the next support group go to News and Events.
- The Compassionate Friends
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Location: Victoria Wide
Phone: 03 9888 4944
Bereaved parent and sibling network. Suicide bereavement support group each month in Canterbury and general groups in Camberwell, Eltham, Sunshine. No fee.
– North West Victoria, Central Victoria,
Goulburn Valley, North East Victoria
- Murray StandBy Support After Suicide
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Location: North West Victoria, Central Victoria, Goulburn Valley, North East Victoria
Phone: 0439 173 310
StandBy is a suicide bereavement response service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to individuals, families and communities who have been bereaved by suicide. The Murray StandBy service is delivered by Lifeline Central Victoria & Mallee, and Lifeline Albury Wodonga.
– Geelong
- After Suicide Support Group
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Location: Geelong, VIC
Phone: 03 5222 4101
Hope Bereavement Care and Wesley Centre for Life Enrichment. Aims to support any person who has experienced the death of a young person by suicide. Third Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm.
ACT
– Canberra
- Canberra StandBy Response Service
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Location: Canberra, ACT
Phone: 0421 725 180
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Canberra StandBy service is run by SupportLink and covers the ACT.
- Canberra After Suicide Support
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Location: Canberra, ACT
Phone: 0421 725 180
Canberra After Suicide Support (CASS) is a self-help group organised by people who have experienced the suicide of someone close. CASS assists people bereaved by suicide by providing: information about suicide bereavement and opportunities for them to meet others. CASS also organises the annual Remembrance Ceremony for Lives Lost to Suicide.
NEW SOUTH WALES
– Sydney
- Support After Suicide Group - Department of Forensic Medicine
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Location: Burwood, NSW
Phone: 02 8584 7800
Burwood RSL, 96 Shaftsbury Road, Burwood.
1st Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm (exc. January) - WINGS of Hope
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Email: contact@wingsofhope.org.au
The voice of people bereaved by suicide. - Western Sydney Suicide Prevention & Support Network
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Location: Penrith, NSW
Phone: 0402 627 696
Second Wednesday each month. Please call before attending. - Western Sydney Suicide Prevention & Support Network
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Location: Richmond, NSW
Phone: 0402 627 696
Last Wednesday each month.Please call before attending. - Support After Suicide
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Location: Sutherland Shire, NSW
Phone: 02 9545 0299
Sutherland United Services Club, East Parade.
Open group, third Tuesday of every month at 7.00pm - Bereaved by Suicide Centre for Intense Grief Therapy
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Location: Lower North Shore, NSW
Phone: 04 1472 1653
Group programs available. There is a fee for services.
– Ashby Heights
- Suicide Bereaved Support Group of Maclean
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Location: Maclean, NSW
Email: barbara.rigg@bigpond.com
This group meets at the CWA Hall in Maclean on the first Friday of each month 1:30 to 2:30pm.
– Balgowlah
- Lifeline Northern Beaches Suicide Bereavement Support Group
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Location: Balgowlah, NSW
Contact: Kathi Pauncz
Phone: 02 9949 5522
Email: admin@lifelinenb.org.au
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 7 to 9pm.
– Bankstown
- Lifeline Macarthur
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Location: One Door, Suite 24 Jacobs Court, 1 -5 Jacobs Street, Bankstown, NSW
Phone: 02 4645 7244
Lifeline Macarthur offers a Suicide Bereavement Support Group in Bankstown. This group is a closed group that meets weekly for eight (8) weeks. For further information please contact the coordinator, Cath Allen. Cath likes to meet people before they attend the group for the first time.
– Dubbo & the Central West
- National Association of Loss & Grief Suicide Network
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Location: Dubbo, NSW
Phone: 02 6882 9222
Email: info@nalag.org.au
Ann-Maree Hartley. Please contact the group coordinator for details.
– Fairfield/Liverpool
- Lifeline Macarthur
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Location: Brian Wunsch Centre, The Art Room, 126 Avoca Road, Wakeley, NSW
Phone: 02 4645 7244
Lifeline Macarthur offers a Suicide Bereavement Support Group in Bankstown. This group is a closed group that meets weekly for eight (8) weeks. For further information please contact the coordinator, Cath Allen. Cath likes to meet people before they attend the group for the first time.
– Gordon
- Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury
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Location: Gordon, NSW
Phone: 02 9498 8805
Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury offers a monthly support group for those bereaved by suicide. The meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 7 to 9pm. - Gordon Suicide Bereavement Support Group
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Location: Gordon, NSW
Contact: Ceiny Maybury
Phone: 0402 053 692 Email: ceiny@msn.com
This support group meets at 7pm on the second Thursday of each month, at 4 Park Avenue, Gordon.
– Grafton
- After Suicide Support Group (ASSG) Clarence Valley
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Location: Grafton, NSW
Contact: Margaret McKenna
Phone: 0419 421 066
Email: margaret_mckenna@hotmail.com
ASSG provide telephone support or face to face meetings for individuals or groups in Grafton.
– Kempsey
- Suicide After Suicide Group
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Location: Kempsey, NSW
Contact: Lee-Ann Foord
Phone: 02 6581 2800
Email: lifematters@lifelinemidcoast.org.au
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday evening of the month, from February to November.
– Kirrawee
- Southern Community Welfare
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Location: Kirrawee, NSW
Contact: Susan Foyle
Phone: 02 9545 0299
Email: admin@scw.org.au
Southern Community Welfare currently don't run a support group but do offer six free sessions of counselling to anyone bereaved by suicide, at any stage of bereavement.
– Lismore
- Lifeline Northern Rivers Support After Suicide Group
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Location: Lismore, NSW
Contact: Jan Fedley
Phone: 02 6622 4133
Email: lifeline@lis.net.au
Lifeline Northern Rivers runs an annual closed support group to assist those who have experienced their loss by suicide for at least three months. - Northern Rivers Social Development Council
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Location: Lismore, NSW
Phone: 0417 119 298
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The North Coast NSW service is managed by the Northern Rivers Social Development Council.
– Narellan
- Lifeline Marcarthur Suicide Bereavement Support Group
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Location: Narellan, NSW
Contact: Jacky Moore
Phone: 02 4645 7200
Email: moorej@lifelinemacarthur.org.au
– Narrabeen
- Lifeline Northern Beaches Inc Suicide Bereavement Support Group
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Location: Narrabeen, NSW
Contact: Kathi Pauncz
Phone: 02 9949 5522
Email: admin@lifelinenb.org.au
The group aims to provide a safe and confidential environment of trust for people to share their experiences and support each other. Meetings are held at the Tramshed, Narrabeen on the second Tuesday each month, 7 - 9pm.
– Newcastle
- Newcastle SOS Support Group
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Location: Newcastle, NSW
Phone: 02 4940 2000
This group meets at 7pm on the first Wednesday evening of each month and offers support and networking for those who have lost a family member, friend or partner to suicide. This group is supported by Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter.
– Orange
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Location: Orange, NSW
Contact: Jamy Somerville
Phone: 0438 700 609
Email: jamy.somerville@gmail.com
This group provides a safe and caring environment for those bereaved by suicide to share their experience and knowledge. Meetings are held at the Community Centre in Kite Street on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm. Please phone before attending.
– Port Macquarie
- Support After Suicide
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Location: Port Macquarie, NSW
Phone: 02 6581 2800
Open group held on the 4th Wednesday of the month from February to November. From time to time they may also offer a closed group. They also have a facebook group for adolescents. Life Matters also offer a newsletter for survivors and hold annual memorial services in Tinonee and Port Macquarie.
– Port Stephens
- Port Stephens SOS Support Group
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Location: Port Stephens, NSW
Phone: 02 4940 2000
This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month at Tomaree Library, Salamander Bay from 7pm-9pm.
– Smeaton Grange
- Lifeline Macarthur
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Location: Smeaton Grange, NSW
Phone: 02 4645 7200
Lifeline Macarthur offers a Bereaved by Suicide Support Group. This group is an open group and is held monthly. For further information please contact the coordinator, Jacky Moore. Jacky likes to meet people before they attend the group for the first time.
– Southern Highlands
- Lifeline Macarthur
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Location: Stafford Cottage, 22 Bendooley St, Bowral NSW
Phone: 02 4645 7244
Lifeline Macarthur offers a Suicide Bereavement Support Group in Bankstown. This group is a closed group that meets weekly for eight (8) weeks. For further information please contact the coordinator, Cath Allen. Cath likes to meet people before they attend the group for the first time.
– Wollongong
- ETC Suicide Bereavement Support - The Salvation Army First Floor Program
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Location: Wollongong, NSW
Contact: Marilyn Dunn
Phone: 4229 1079 or 0411 143 586
Email: marilyn.dunn@aue.salvationarmy.org
Peer support is also available for those in the early stages of loss to suicide.
– Wagga Wagga
- Support After Suicide Group
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Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
Phone: 02 6922 4438 or 02 6922 5520
Support After Suicide group, meets monthly. Even months: second Friday at 12 noon. Odd months: second Wednesday at 6.00pm at the Wagga RSL Club, Dobbs St.
– Wyoming
- Lifeline Central Coast NSW
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Location: Wyoming, NSW
Phone: 02 4323 6105
Lifeline Central Coast NSW offer a Bereaved by Suicide Support Group.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
– Alice Springs
- Central Australia StandBy Response Service
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Location: Alice Springs, NT
Phone: 0439 842 155
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide The Central Austalia StandBy service is run by the Mental Health Association of Central Australia.
- Top End StandBy Response Service
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Location: Darwin, NT
Phone: 0418 575 680
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide The Top End StandBy service is run by Anglicare NT.
QUEENSLAND
– Brisbane
- Brisbane StandBy Response Service
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Location: Brisbane, QLD
Phone: 0438 150 180
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide The Brisbane StandBy service is run by Lifeline part of Uniting Care.
- Suicide Bereavement Group
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Location: Brisbane, QLD
Phone: 07 3624 2400
Lifeline offers a monthly peer support group and an 8-week professionally facilitated psycho-educational group. These groups aim to provide information about suicide, guidance, support and contact with others who have experienced a similar loss.
– Annerley
- Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Association (SOSBSA)
- Location: Annerley, QLD
Contact: SOSBSA
Phone: 1300 767 022 or 0423 567 055
Email: secretary@sosbsa.org.au
For anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide at any stage in their grief. Meetings are held at 473 Annerley Road, Annerley on the second Friday of the month at 7.30pm
– Cairns
- Far North Queensland StandBy Response Service
- Location: Cairns, QLD
Phone: 0459 299 147
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Far North Queensland StandBy service is run by Lifeline part of Uniting Care Community. - Life Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Bereavement Support Group
- Location: Cairns, QLD
The group is facilitated by trained counsellors including an Aboriginal person well known and accepted throughout Far North Queensland. Meeting are held at 6 Aplin Street, Cairns every three weeks (or as determined at the previous meeting) from 10am to 12pm. - Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Association (SOSBSA).
- Location: Cairns, QLD
Phone: 4045 2955 or 0407 695 891
Email: secretary@sosbsa.org.au
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm
247 Lake Street
Cairns, Queensland
– Caloundra / Currimindi
- Caloundra Living Beyond Suicide Support Group
- Location: Currimindi, QLD
Phone: 07 5409 4995 or 0407 766 961
The Caloundra Living Beyond Suicide Support Group is supported by United Synergies Ltd.
Meetings are helod on the first Monday of the month at 10am
42 Croydon Ave,
Currimundi, Queensland
– Ipswich
- Lifeline Suicide Bereavement Peer Support Group
- Location: Ipswich, QLD
Contact: Karen Prestidge
Phone: 07 3816 9610
Email: sbg.ipswich@uccommunity.org.au
The suicide bereavement support group provides a confidential, non-judgemental and compassionate setting where participants are able to give and receive support. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
– Mackay
- Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Association (Support Group)
- Location: Mt Pleasant, QLD
Contact: Kim
Phone: 0430 186 149
Email: secretary@sosbsa.org.au
For anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide at any stage in their grief. Meetings are held at 2pm on the second Saturday of every month and the Gordon White Library, 54 Phillip Street, Mt Pleasant.
– Maryborough
- Wide Bay Burnett StandBy Response Service
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Location: Maryborough, QLD
Phone: 07 4121 0860 or 0427 748 729
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The service is managed by United Synergies Ltd.
– Mount Isa
- Centacare
- Location: Mount Isa, QLD
Phone: 0408 839 711
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The NW Central Queensland service is managed by Centacare.
– Sunshine and Cooloola Coasts
- Sunshine & Cooloola Coasts StandBy Response Service
- Location: Tewantin, QLD
Phone: 0407 766 961
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The service is managed by United Synergies Ltd.
– Townsville
- Bereaved by Suicide Support Group
- Location: North Condon, QLD
Phone: 07 4447 7198 or 07 4723 5607
Meetings are held at the Salvation Army, 49-61 Beck Drive, North Condon, at 7pm on the second Wednesday of the month.
– Whitsundays
- Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Association (Support Group)
- Location: Airlie Beach, QLD
Phone: 0412 448 805
Email: secretary@sosbsa.org.au
Meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month at 2pm.
South Australia
– Adelaide
- Anglicare: Living Beyond Suicide
- Location: Adelaide, SA
Phone: 1300 76 11 93
10am - 10pm, 7 days a week. - Bereaved Through Suicide Support Group - Adelaide
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Location: Adelaide CBD, SA
Phone: 08 8332 8240 or 0468 440 287
Email: support@bts.org.au
For people who have lost a relative, friend or colleague through suicide.
Telephone support: 8am - 8pm, 7 days per week
Meetings: Every third Wednesday, 7pm - 9pm
– Port Augusta
- Country North SA StandBy Response Service
- Location: Port Augusta, SA
Phone: 0438 728 644
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Country North SA StandBy service is run by Centacare Country SA.
– Mt Gambier
- Country North SA StandBy Response Service
- Location: Mt Gambier, SA
Phone: 0437 752 458
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Country South SA StandBy service is run by Uniting Communities
Tasmania
– Devonport
- North/North West Tasmania StandBy Response Service
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Location: Devonport, TAS
Phone: 0439 556 660
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The North/North West Tasmania StandBy service is run by CLS.
– Hobart
- Southern Tasmania StandBy Response Service
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Location: Hobart, TAS
Phone: 0400 183 490
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Southern Tasmania StandBy service is run by Lifeline Hobart - Suicide Bereavement Support Group
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Location: New Town, TAS
Contact: Helen Scarr
Phone: 1300 364 277
Email: helens@reltas.com.au
An open group for people bereaved by suicide. Meeting are held on the second Thursday of each month at 20 Clare St, New Town.
Western Australia
– Albany
- Lighthouse Support Group
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Location: Albany, WA
Phone: 0427 413 998 or 08 9842 1549
A beacon of light and hope for those bereaved by suicide.
– Broome
- West Kimberley StandBy Response Service
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Location: Broome, WA
Phone: 0458 889 937
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The West Kimberley StandBy service is run by Kinway/Anglicare WA.
– Karratha
- Pilbara StandBy Response Service
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Location: Karratha, WA
Phone: 0438 611 999
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Pilbara StandBy service is run by the Pilbara Health Network
– Kununurra
- East Kimberley StandBy Response Service
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Location: Kununurra, WA
Phone: 0488 910 012
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The East Kimberley StandBy service is run by Kinway/Anglicare WA.
– Perth
- ARBOR
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Location: Perth, WA
Phone: 08 9263 2150
ARBOR is a counselling and outreach service which provides support for people bereaved by suicide.
Crisis Lines 24/7
- Lifeline
- Phone: 13 11 14
- Suicide Callback Service
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Phone: 1300 659 467
The Suicide Call Back Service provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers of someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide across Australia.
- National Bereaved by Suicide Line
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Phone: 1300 467 354
For those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
- Kids Helpline
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Phone: 1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline is a counselling service for Australian children and young people aged between 5 and 25 years.
- MensLine
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Phone: 1300 78 99 78
MensLine Australia is a 24/7 telephone support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.
- Griefline (VIC)
- Phone: 03 9935 7400 (12.00pm - 3.00am)
- Suicideline (VIC)
- Phone: 1300 651 251
Information and support packs for those bereaved by suicide
Separate packs have been prepared for each state and territory within Australia:
- ACT Information and Support Pack
- NSW Information and Support Pack
- NT Information and Support Pack
- QLD Information and Support Pack
- SA Information and Support Pack
- TAS Information and Support Pack
- VIC Information and Support Pack
- WA Information and Support Pack
Coronial Services
- ACT - (02) 6207 1754
- NSW - (02) 8584 7777
- NT - (08) 8999 7770
- QLD - (07) 3000 9342
- SA - (08) 8204 0600
- TAS - Hobart: (03) 6233 6202, Launceston: (03) 6336 2808
- VIC - 1300 309 519
- WA - (08) 9425 2900 or 1800 671 994
Gay and Lesbian Support
- NSW - Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service
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02 8594 9596
1800 18 GLCS (5.30pm-10.30pm, 7 days) - SA - Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service
- 1800 18 22 33 (7pm-10pm weeknights)
- QLD - Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association
- 08 8193 0800 (7pm-10pm, 7 days)
- VIC / TAS - Gay and Lesbian Switchboard
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03 9663 2939 (Melbourne)
1800 184 527 (Regional VIC and Tasmania) - WA - Gay and Lesbian Community Service
- 1800 184 527 (5.30pm-10.30pm 7 days a week)
Parenting Support
- ACT - Parentline Australian Capital Territory
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(02) 6287 3833 (cost of a local call)
9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday - NSW - Parentline New South Wales
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1300 1300 52 (cost of a local call)
24 hours a day, seven days a week - QLD & NT - Parentline Queensland and Northern Territory
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1300 30 1300 (cost of a local call)
8am to 10pm, seven days a week - SA - Parent Helpline South Australia
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1300 364 100 (cost of a local call)
24 hours a day, seven days a week - TAS - Parentine Line Tasmania
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1300 808 178 (cost of a local call)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week - VIC - Parentline Victoria
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13 22 89 (cost of a local call)
8am to 12am, 7 days a week - WA - Parent Help Centre Western Australia
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(08) 9272 1466 or 1800 654 432 (free for STD callers)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week