Mental Health in Australia: Support Services When You First Settle
Mental health is not often talked about in many migrant communities — but the emotional burden of settling somewhere new is real: being far from home, a new environment, a new language, financial pressure, and sometimes a sense of isolation. Understanding which services are available in Australia is the first step to getting support when you need it.
It’s normal to find things hard
The early stage of settling often brings mixed emotions: excitement alongside worry, disappointment, fatigue, and sometimes sadness without a clear reason. This is a common reaction to adapting to a completely new environment.
Mild anxiety or passing sadness in the early period is normal. But when these feelings persist and affect your sleep, your work, or your daily life — that is the time to seek support. Seeking help early does not mean you are weak; on the contrary, it is a good decision for your health.
In a crisis — call straight away
If you are in crisis, having thoughts of harming yourself, or worried about someone else, call:
- 000 — emergency, if there is immediate danger
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 — 24/7 crisis support line
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 — 24/7 telephone support
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — support for anxiety and depression
All of the lines above operate 24/7. 1800 numbers (for example, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800) are free from any phone. 13xx and 1300xx numbers (Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Suicide Call Back Service) are free from a landline — from a mobile, charges may apply depending on your carrier and plan; check with your carrier. Some organisations also have an online chat service if you would rather not talk by phone.
Accessing psychological support through your GP
The GP is the first point of contact for non-emergency mental health support. You can see a GP to:
- Talk about anxiety, depression, or not feeling right
- Be assessed and get a suitable way forward
- Get a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist if needed
Australia has a mental health support program through Medicare that allows eligible people to access a number of psychological sessions at a reduced cost. The first step is to see a GP — they will assess you and explain the options that suit your situation. The exact eligibility and number of supported sessions change with policy — ask your GP whether you are eligible and what the current level of support is.
Services for migrants and multicultural communities
Some organisations provide mental health services with language support or an understanding of the migrant context:
STARTTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors): A service based in NSW, for refugees and migrants who have experienced trauma; it offers services in community languages. Other states have equivalent organisations — ask your GP or local settlement agency for an appropriate referral.
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National): Not a psychological service, but it provides free telephone interpreting for many health services, including GP or psychologist appointments. The number is 13 14 50 — call ahead or while you are at the clinic and ask for a Vietnamese interpreter.
Beyond Blue: Has resources in community languages on its website, including information about anxiety and depression in a multicultural community context.
Mental health and stigma
In many families, mental health is still a sensitive subject and is sometimes stigmatised. If you are worried about how family or community might react to you seeking help, that is completely understandable.
An important thing to know: your health information in Australia is protected by law. A doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist cannot share your information with a third party (including family) without your consent, except in mandatory safety situations.
Support for parents and children
Children and teenagers can also struggle to adapt to a new environment. Some organisations that offer support:
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 — 24/7, for young people aged 5 to 25
- Headspace: A network of mental health centres for young people (aged 12–25), present in many cities. Find it at headspace.org.au.
- Perinatal Depression and Anxiety: A GP can assess and refer mothers to support after birth.
If you are worried about a child’s mental health, talk to the child’s GP — this is a simple step and does no harm at all.