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Bereavement, missing persons and suicide

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Quick facts

Quick Facts

This factsheet provides resources where you can access information, referrals and crisis support for bereavement, missing persons and suicide.

  • Australia-wide information and referrals

    Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

    The ACGB can refer people to bereavement services in their area. The ACGB also offers quality education and training opportunities for health professionals, students, volunteers and any individual or agency desiring to enhance grief and bereavement knowledge and practice.

    1800 642 066

    SANE Help Centre

    National Freecall and online service providing information, guidance, and referral on mental illness and related issues.

    1800 187 263

    National Missing Persons Coordination Centre

    The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre operates Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, providing information, advice and support about missing persons and how to organise the search for someone who is missing.

    1800 000 634

    Standby Response Service

    A community-based suicide postvention program that provides a coordinated response of support and assistance for people who have been bereaved through suicide.

  • Suicide

    Suicide Call-Back Service

    National suicide call-back service can provide six 50-minute telephone counselling sessions for people who are suicidal, their carers, or those bereaved by suicide. Operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

    1300 659 467

    Lifeline Australia

    National 24 hour counselling service. Lifeline also operates a suicide helpline and callers can be referred through to this specialist telephone line.

    13 11 14

    Standby Response Service

    A community-based suicide postvention program that provides a coordinated response of support and assistance for people who have been bereaved through suicide.

Last updated: 30 October 2023

Ways we can support you

Choose from a range of support services, including counselling, peer support, online groups and events, 24/7 community forums, and online information and resources.

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Online Forums Community

Available 24/7. SANE’s online community forums provide a safe, non-judgmental space to share your experiences, seek advice and surround yourself with support.

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Talk to a Mental Health Professional

Available Monday to Friday, 10am - 8pm (AEST/AEDT). SANE’s team of trained staff and volunteers provide free support, information, and resources. Call 1800 187 263. Free Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) available on 131 450.

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Additional guidance and support

Available Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm (AEST/AEDT). Work with a dedicated support team to identify your goals and tailor a support plan that's right for you. Choose from a range of supports, incl.  multi-session counselling and peer support.

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Weekly Online Discussion Groups

Every Thursday at 7pm (AEST/AEDT). Weekly online discussions, guided by SANE peer support workers and supported by counsellors. New topics each week.

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Monthly Live Educational Events

Last Tuesday of every month, at 5:30pm (AEST/AEDT). Topic Tuesday is a live Q&A discussion. Each month a different topic is facilitated by a subject matter expert, a community manager or moderator, and supported by a peer support worker.

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Information and Resources

Available 24/7. Access information you can trust on complex mental health issues. SANE factsheets and guides are easy to read and can help you understand what’s happening and what strategies can be helpful.

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Guidance for supporting someone at risk of suicide

Available 24/7. A resource that provides information and advice about supporting someone who has attempted, or is at risk of attempting, suicide.

Get Creative with SANE

The arts have the power to move, to heal and to help us understand ourselves and each other. SANE Create programs provide an outlet to engage with creative activities.

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Peer Guide training and mentoring

Receive guidance and support to develop the skills to use your personal mental health experiences as a peer support worker, building confidence and readiness for employment or further education.

Have questions? Click here to read our FAQs or email us at getsupport@sane.org

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Together we can change lives

Help us provide free essential mental health support and create brighter futures for people with complex mental health issues. Make a tax deductible donation today.

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