Get help now

If you see or know somebody you’re worried about, get help now.

Emergency - 000
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Lifeline Text - 0477 13 11 14
MensLine - 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 65 94 67
NSW Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511
Kids Help Line - 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue online chat (3pm-midnight) - beyondblue.org.au

Mental Health Support Services

Find out about crisis support services, local mental health services and national mental health initiatives on the Mental Heath Services page.

Reach out

Reach out to those you think may be struggling by: 

1. Ask directly if they’re thinking about suicide
2. Listen and stay with them
3. Get help. Call Lifeline, or if life is in danger call 000
4. Look after yourself. Talk to a friend, family member or Lifeline about your experience

Community Gatekeeper Training

Council has received funding from the NSW Ministry of Health to deliver suicide prevention training to more than 1000 ‘community gatekeepers’ over three years.

These community gatekeepers will receive training to support people who might be at risk of suicide to ensure they are referred to appropriate mental health services and/or supports. They will also be equipped with resources and kept up to date with how they can get involved in local suicide prevention activities. Find out more

Safe and Sound Webinar Series 

As part of our Community Gatekeeper Training project, Council offered a free wellbeing webinar series each Wednesday evening between 27 May – 1 July 2020.  In each webinar recording, you’ll hear from a range of local experts sharing tips and information about our local support services to help you and the people around you live well. 

Other training opportunities

For information about other training opportunities, please contact any of the following:

• Mental Health First Aid Australia
• Lifeline Northern Beaches
• LivingWorks Australia
• QPR Institute Australia

Suicide Response Steering Group

Council's Community Safety Committee resolved to form a Working Group to address growing concerns in the community about deaths by suicide on the Northern Beaches. The Suicide Response Steering Group aims to play a lead role in developing, coordinating and communicating a Northern Beaches Suicide Response Action Plan and to drive its implementation and evaluation. The Response together with NSW Police, health authorities, local service groups and the community ensures there is a coordinated and collaborative response to address suicide on the Northern Beaches. Find out more

The Northern Beaches Suicide Response has improved safety in key locations, delivered targeted suicide intervention training to over 400 community members and 40 police. Most importantly, suicide rates between 2018 and 2019 decreased by almost a third, following implementation of The Response.

Council was awarded a 2020 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards for our leadership role in establishing the Northern Beaches Suicide Response initiative. View our achievements

Volunteer opportunities

There are a large number of volunteering opportunities available to assist people at increased risk of social isolation, loneliness and mental illness on the Northern Beaches.

NB Cares

NB Cares is a community-led local suicide prevention network working together to reduce suicide and its impacts in the community, including stigma. New members (over 18 years) are welcome to join the group and attend the meetings. You can join the effort to raise awareness and make an impact on suicide prevention. Find out more

Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB)

CCNB are looking for volunteers to be Community Companions within the Northern Beaches area. This social support program aims to link older individuals who are socially isolated with you, our Community Companions. Find out more

Community Northern Beaches

Volunteers that work directly with CNB are engaged in a number of different roles including customer service and information provision, fundraising, ESL mentors, volunteer driving instructors and social media. Find out more

Lifeline Northern Beaches

Lifeline Northern Beaches are supported by over 600 volunteers who make their services possible. Contact Lifeline today if you’d like to get involved. As well as helping us care for people in our community, you’ll meet new people and even learn new skills. Not to mention have fun along the way! Find out more

Northern Beaches Community Connect

Community Connect's Volunteer Program connects people with volunteer positions in not-for-profit organisations throughout the Northern Beaches Council area. This program is funded by the Federal Government under the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Find out more

Northern Beaches Council

Council has a number of volunteering opportunities available in community services such as Meals on Wheels and our Home Library service. Find out more

More information

Email the Community Development team communitydevelopment@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Events and Activities