Community organisations and hotlines in Australia
Introduction
At any time, faced with the risk of losing control of gambling or worsening anxiety and depression, you can seek professional support for free and anonymously. In Australia, there is a network of specialized services - from player assistance services to nationwide psychological lines.
1. Gamblers Help
Phone: 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7)
Format: telephone consultations, online chat, face-to-face meetings at support centers in each state
Services: hotline, individual and group counseling, recovery programs, financial and budgetary consultations
Website: [https ://www. gamblershelp. com. au](https: //www. gamblershelp. com. au)
2. Lifeline Australia (psychological emergency)
Telephone: 13 11 14 (24 hours)
Format: phone, online chat, SMS support
Services: crisis intervention, suicide prevention, escort to stabilization
Website: [https ://www. lifeline. org. au](https: //www. lifeline. org. au)
3. Beyond Blue (anxiety and depression)
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours, free)
Format: telephone, online chat
Services: professional psychological counseling, support groups, self-help materials
Website: [https ://www. beyondblue. org. au](https: //www. beyondblue. org. au)
4. MensLine Australia (men's psychological support)
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Format: telephone, online chat
Services: advice for men on stress, family conflicts, addiction
Website: [https ://mensline. org. au](https: //mensline. org. au)
5. Kids Helpline (Helping Kids and Teens)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Format: telephone, online chat, e-mail
Services: support for young relatives of players, advice on family problems, prevention of bullying and suicides
Website: [https ://kidshelpline. com. au](https: //kidshelpline. com. au)
6. Gambling Help Online
Format: web chat, forum, email
Services: 24-hour anonymous chat with consultants, self-help materials, webinars
Website: [https ://www. gamblinghelponline. org. au](https: //www. gamblinghelponline. org. au)
7. Financial Advising Australia
Phone: Find a local consultant on the website
Format: free consultations in the office and online
Services: Budgeting, debt restructuring, financial planning for players and their families
Website: [https ://www. financialcounsellingaustralia. org. au](https: //www. financialcounsellingaustralia. org. au)
8. SANE Australia (support for serious psychosis)
Telephone: 1800 18 7263 (9-21 hours local time)
Format: telephone, online chat
Services: consultations for psychosis, schizophrenia, complex emotional states
Website: [https ://www. sane. org](https: //www. sane. org)
Recommendations for handling
1. First steps: Call the Gamblers Help hotline for a bespoke support programme.
2. Comprehensive help: combine profile lines (Gamblers Help) with common ones (Lifeline, Beyond Blue).
3. Ongoing support: Connect financial advisors and support teams for repeat relapses.
4. Anonymity and confidentiality: in most services, you do not need to transfer full data - a phone number or alias is enough.
Conclusion
Australian community organisations and hotlines provide tiered support, from crisis psychological care to financial planning. Do not postpone the appeal: the earlier professionals are connected, the less damage to your budget, relationships and mental health.
