Where To Get Support
Here are some links to organisations that provide support for people with liver disease and their families.
Emergency support
Call triple zero 000 and ask for an ambulance.
Help navigating the health system
The Australian health care system can be difficult to navigate. Knowing the best person to talk to, or the best service to reach out to can be very difficult, especially if you have complex health challenges or a rare disease. Nurse navigators are a wonderful service provided by some State Health Departments.
Liver information
- Gastroenterological Society of Australia
- Health Direct (24 hour health advice: 1800 022 222 and Symptom Checker)
- Hepatitis Australia
- American Liver Foundation
- Canadian Liver Foundation
- British Liver Trust
Crisis support
- Lifeline Australia (24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services) 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue (support for depression or anxiety) 1300 22 4636
- Suicide Call Back Service (24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal) 1300 659 467
- 13 Yarn (crisis support from a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support Worker) 13 92 76
Mental health support
- ACDC project (community mental health) 1300 319 015
- Blue Knot Foundation (support for complex trauma) 1300 657 380
- headspace (support for young people 1800 650 890
- FriendLine (support for anyone feeling lonely) 1800 424 287
- Head to Health (free advice, assessment and referral into local mental health services) 1800 595 212
- Kids Helpline (support children and young people aged 5 – 25) 1800 55 1800
- MensLine Australia (professional telephone and online counselling for men) 1300 78 99 78, 24
- MindSpot (free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression) 1800 61 44 34.
- QLife (LGBTI peer support and referral) 1800 184 527
- SANE Australia (support for complex mental health issues) 1800 18 7263
Cancer support
- Cancer Council Australia 13 11 20
- Cancer Council ACT
- Cancer Council NSW
- Cancer Council NT
- Cancer Council QLD
- Cancer Council SA
- Cancer Council TAS
- Cancer Council Victoria
- Cancer Council WA
- Cancer Voices Australia
- CanTeen
Drug and alcohol support
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service (24 hour support line) 1800 250 015
- Your Room (Drug information and resources)
- Counselling Online (chat to a professional drug & alcohol counsellor)
- Family Drug Support (24 hour support line) 1300 368 186
- Kids Helpline (support children and young people aged 5 – 25) 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline Australia (24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services) 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14
- Hello Sunday Morning (change your relationship with alcohol)
Relationship Support
- 1800 Respect (sexual assault and family violence) 1800 737 732
- Men’s Referral Service (help and information for men who use family violence) 1300 766 491
- Mensline Australia (support for men dealing with family and relationship difficulties) 1300 789 978
Financial support
- Medical Costs Finder Website A tool to find and understand costs for medical specialist services across Australia, run by the Australian government
- Patient Assistance Travel Schemes exist across Australia. Please visit the relevant website based on where you live to find out what you may be eligible for:
- Centrelink (crisis and special help)
- Financial Counselling Australia 1800 007 007
- National Debt Helpline (speak to a financial counsellor) 1800 007 007
- Mob Strong Debt Help line (financial support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) 1800 808 488
- MoneySmart (free tips and guidance)
- Salvation Army
- St Vincent de Paul Society
Support for Carers
- The Carer Gateway Counselling Service is a free service for carers funded by the Federal government. It operates weekdays from 8am to 6pm..
- Carer Help provides information and support for people caring for someone approaching the end of their life.
Support for Veterans
Thank you for your service.
Health Coaching – free programs
- NSW Health Get Healthy Service offers free phone and online coaching to help you make lifestyle changes to improve your health. Delivered by NSW Health, it is available free to people over 16 years of age living in NSW.
- The SA Better Health Coaching Service is a free and confidential telephone coaching service to support South Australians to be active, eat well and reduce the risk of chronic disease. It is free to eligible South Australians aged between 18 and 74 years, with a BMI of 27 or above who are seeking support to build and maintain healthy lifestyle habits.
- My Heath for Life is a chronic disease prevention initiative with free, qualified Health Coaches that can help Queenslanders, 18 years and over, make healthier choices and create healthier habits.
Palliative Care Support
- CareSearch – Evidence-based palliative care information and links to services, as well as resources for health professionals.
- Palliative Care Australia – Information and resources; can link you to your local palliative care office. Also has a directory of services.
- South Australia Palliative Care Connect – a government service that provides information and links to palliative care and bereavement supports in SA