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Emergency - ambulance, fire, police (000)
In an emergency call 000 for an ambulance, the fire brigade or the
police. The operator may also be able to offer help over the phone
until the emergency service staff arrive. If you are using a mobile
phone which is out of range, dial 112. This will connect you directly to emergency services even if you do not have network coverage.
There are many organizations which provide telephone advice and
counselling. In addition to helping you in a crisis, telephone
counsellors can provide you with information and a list of other
organizations that may be able to help you.
State Emergency Service (132 500)
State Emergency Service provides emergency assistance to people. The Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is a volunteer based emergency service, servicing the State of Victoria.
- VICSES has a wide range of roles including planning for and responding to floods, severe storms, earthquakes, road accident rescue as well as search and rescue. VICSES also provides a support role to other emergency service agencies including the Victoria Police. More than 5,500 volunteers provide this response across the state.
Lifeline (131 114)
Lifeline provides confidential telephone counselling. The free service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Lifeline: - Is staffed by trained volunteers supported by professional staff
- Commonly provides advice on relationship problems and personal wellbeing
- Helps people who may be thinking about suicide.
Poisons Information Centre (131 126)
A 24 hour emergency telephone service which provides information and advice about what to do if someone is: - Poisoned
- Takes an overdose
- Is bitten or stung by spiders, snakes, bees, wasps etc.
The
advice may include telephone assessment and immediate first aid, with
or without referral to a doctor or hospital. The Centre aims to prevent
unnecessary visits to doctors and hospitals, and to ensure patients who
are poisoned receive the most effective treatment promptly.
The Poison Information Centre website
Women's Information Referral Exchange WIRE (1300 134 130)
WIRE (Women's Information Referral Exchange) is a telephone service
women can call to talk through their problems with trained women
volunteers. The service operates between 9.30am and 5.30pm on weekdays.
The service provides: - Advice, information and support for women
- Help with issues such as debt, domestic violence, sexual assault, housing, children and counselling.
- Women who are hearing impaired should telephone (03) 9654 5124.
Men's Referral Service (03 9428 2899)
Men worried by their behaviour can call the Men's Referral Service. The
service is open from 12 noon to 9pm, Monday to Friday, to provide: - Telephone counselling and information to men concerned about their behaviour at home.
- Advice and referral options to help men stop their violent or abusive behaviour.
- An up-to-date listing of services available throughout Victoria. The STD Freecall number is: 1800 065 973
Parentline (132 289)
A confidential telephone counselling service you can call to discuss any parenting issue.
Parentline website available to families within Victoria.
Maternal and Child Health Line, Victoria (132 229)
This 24 hour service is staffed by maternal and child health nurses who
provide callers with information, support and advice regarding child
health, maternal health and parenting issues.
Maternal and Child Health Line, Victoria website.
Kids Help Line (1800 551 800)
A 24 hour service kids can call to discuss issues such as: - Child abuse, neglect and domestic violence
- Bullying
- Eating disorders
- Suicide prevention.
Gamblers Help - (previously called G-Line) 1800 156 789, TTY (1800 777 706)
If gambling is affecting your behaviour, you can call for confidential: - Crisis telephone counselling
- Referral to services such as financial counsellors and government funded specialist gambling services.
GriefLine (03 9596 7799)
Grief Line is open between 7am and 3am to provide: - Bereavement support (anonymous)
- Referral to other services.
Gay and Lesbian Switchboard Victoria (03 9827 8544 or 1800 184 527)
The Gay and Lesbian Switchboard is open from 7pm to 10pm daily, except Wednesdays (2pm to10pm) to provide: - A peer counselling service. The trained volunteers are all gays or lesbians
- Names of gay and lesbian friendly contacts in some large mainstream organisations
- Advice for family and friends of gays and lesbians. The STD Freecall number is: 1800 631 493
Traveller's Medical and Vaccination Centre (1300 658 844)
The Traveller's Medical and Vaccination Centre can provide you with: - Telephone consultations (in conjunction with your GP), if you cannot get to the centre.
- A country by country vaccination guide.
- Information on how to protect your health while you are away.
Where to get help - Lifeline
- Poisons Information Centre
- WIRE
- Men's Referral Service
- Kids Help Line
- Parentline or Parents Anonymous
- Gamblers Help
- Gay and Lesbian Switchboard.
Things to remember - A more comprehensive listing of emergency help organisations is found in the front pages of your telephone book.
- The services provide confidential help.
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