Support Helplines
Below you’ll find various support helplines available across Victoria and Australia wide, which may be useful throughout your family building, loss and/or parenting journey. If you or someone close to you is in immediate danger and you feel safe to do so, you can call 000.
As a full spectrum doula I also offer in-person and distance support for pregnancy loss / release, miscarriage and abortio, view my offerings here for more more info.
Victoria
Parentline Victoria Counselling and support for parents and carers. You call them on 132 289 from 8 am-12 am 7 days
Maternal and Child Health Line (VIC) A confidential, 24-hour helpline offering information and advice about the care and health of your child (from birth to school age). You can all them on 132 229, 24 hours 7 days
Council of Single Mothers & their Children You can call them on 03 9654 0622 or 1300 552 511 (outside metro Melbourne), 9.30am-3pm Monday to Friday
The Orange Door The Orange Door is open across Victoria and provides access to women’s and children’s family violence services, child and family services, Aboriginal services and men’s family violence services, and is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays). View their website for contact details. If you require urgent help please call 000.
Breastfeeding: Australia Wide
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) Information and support from qualified breastfeeding counsellors. You can call them on 1800 686 268, 24 hours 7 days
Surrogacy, Adoption & Foster Care
Foster Care Association of Victoria Offers an information and support service for foster carers. You can call them on (03) 9416 4292.
Surrogacy Australia Provides information on finding a surrogate, becoming a surrogate & the surrogacy process.
Adopt Change Australia Provides support & resources for people considering adoption.
General Helplines: Australia Wide
1800 RESPECT This service is for those experiencing the impacts of sexual assault, domestic & family violence. You can call them on 1800 737 732, 24 hours 7 days.
Beyond Blue Learn more about anxiety, depression & suicide prevention, or talk through your concerns with the Beyond Blue Support Service. Trained mental health professionals will listen, provide information and advice, & point you in the right direction so you can seek further support. You can call them on 1300 22 4636.
Relationships Australia Offers services that include counselling, family dispute mediation, family & community support & education programs. You can call them on 1300 364 277.
QLife Provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer supported telephone & web based services for LGBTIQ+ people of all ages. You can call them on 1800 184 527 or chat with them online here from 3pm until midnight everyday.
Switchboard Provides peer-driven support services for LGBTIQA+ people, their families, allies & communities. You can call them on 1800 184 527.
PANDA: Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia A national free hotline for expectant, new parents & their families affected by perinatal anxiety & depression. PANDA offer free counselling, support, information and referral, & can be reached on 1300 726 306 Monday to Friday 9am - 7.30pm (AEST/AEDT). If the matter is non-urgent or after hours please leave a message & they will return your call as soon as possible. You can also email support@panda.org.au & one of their Helpline team members will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you are reading this outside PANDA’s operating hours & need to speak to a counsellor now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Pregnancy Birth Baby Helpline on 1800 882 436. If you require urgent help please call 000.
SANDS Provides information & confidential 24/7 support for parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby. You can call them on 1300 072 637.