Not sure where to begin?
When you or someone you care about is going through a hard time or are experiencing mental health challenges, finding the right support and information can make a huge difference. Knowing where to seek help is a key step towards recovery.
What's mental health?
Our mental health affects how we feel, think, behave, and relate to others. Over our lifetime, our mental health can change as we experience different events or situations. It could be a change in a relationship, employment, or living situation, or something deeper like a spiritual or cultural connection that causes you to feel differently.
What's suicide prevention?
Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. To help prevent suicide, it’s important we learn how to recognise its warning signs so as a community we can do our best to prevent it. Suicide prevention is a responsibility shared by everyone in the community.
Learn more about the warning signs to help prevent suicide at Black Dog Institute
What services can I access in the NT?
In the NT there are community mental health programs and services that treat and support people with mental health conditions outside a psychiatric hospital setting. Generally, these are programs and services provided by mental health non-government organisations however community mental health may also refer to other organisations that provide social, vocational, educational, physical health or mental health support.
What's the difference between services?
Who should I speak to first and what can I expect?
If you're worried about your mental health or the health of someone you care about, a good place to start is your local General Practitioner (GP), also known as a doctor. GPs can make a diagnosis, prescribe medication, and/or refer you to other specialists, health professionals and support groups. GPs can also rule out any physical health problems that may be contributing to the way you are feeling. Your GP may even begin a mental health care plan with you.
Visit SANE Australia for help and advice on how to talk to your GP about Mental Health
A mental health care plan can be useful for people with minor or serious mental health conditions, as well as short-term concerns or long-term illnesses. You don’t have to be diagnosed with a mental health condition to talk to your doctor about making a mental health care plan.
What rights do I have?
It’s important to know your rights when you access mental health or suicide prevention support. You are entitled to ask your doctor about your medical records or medications, you can also have a say in who can and can’t visit you if you’re in hospital.
Learn more about your rights as a patient in the NT when accessing mental health care in the NT.
Find a lived-experience network
People with lived experience of a mental health condition or suicide, including their family and carers, can offer unique insights to how services respond to the mental health needs of their clients and promote recovery. In the NT, people with lived experience are co-designing services and informing policy to ensure people at risk of mental health conditions and suicide are receiving the right help they need. Learn more about the lived experience of suicide
Darwin and Top End Region
Katherine Region
East Arnhem Region
Central Australia / Alice Springs Region and Ngaanyatjarra/ Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands
What training is available in mental health and suicide prevention?
There are a range of training programs, both face-to-face and online, that can assist you to better understand and care for people who experience mental illness. There is also training available that help provide suicide intervention and awareness skills.
If you are interested to participate in mental health and suicide prevention training, contact either of the servcies below to find out more about future training opportunities.
