Resources
Free guides, training, apps and support for looking after yourself and the people around you.
Training near you
Free community training in the Whitsundays and the wider Mackay region. Dates change, so check each provider before you plan.
Suicide Intervention Training
CORES Queensland · Whitsundays & Bowen
Community-based training for anyone 15 and over. Learn to recognise the warning signs, ask directly and connect someone with help. Recent Whitsunday sessions have run free.
See the organisationsafeTALK
Grapevine Group · Mackay, Isaac & Whitsunday
A free three-hour introduction to noticing when someone might be thinking about suicide and connecting them to help. No experience needed.
Book a sessionSafety toolbox talks
Grapevine Group · on site
A free one-hour ‘Suicide Mythbusters’ talk delivered at your workplace, club or group.
Find out moreCommunity suicide prevention workshops
Wesley LifeForce · Queensland
Free half-day workshops on risk and protective factors, warning signs and how to ask directly about suicide. Check the events page for the next date.
See upcoming workshopsOur events
Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network
Training, awareness days and our free monthly BBQ breakfast. We share new dates on our events page and Facebook.
See what’s onOnline courses & learning
Learn at your own pace, from home.
Suicide Prevention START
Open Arms (developed with LivingWorks)
A free online course of about 60–90 minutes for current and former ADF members with at least a day of full-time service, their families, and people who support the veteran community.
Visit Open ArmsLivingWorks START
LivingWorks Australia
A 90-minute online course on spotting the signs and helping someone stay safe. Some regions fund free places, so it’s worth asking your local Primary Health Network.
Visit LivingWorksMindframe online learning
Everymind
Training for anyone who talks or writes about suicide publicly, from media and communicators to workplaces and community leaders.
See the trainingMental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid Australia
Accredited courses that teach practical first aid for mental health problems and crises, including courses focused on young people.
Visit MHFAGuides, booklets & ebooks
Plain-language guides you can read, download and print.
Beyond Blue resource library
Beyond Blue
Free PDF booklets and fact sheets, including ‘Finding your way back’ (after suicidal thoughts), ‘Guiding their way back’ (for supporters) and a grief and loss fact sheet.
Browse the librarySupport toolkit
Lifeline
Practical guides on talking to someone about their mental health, grounding techniques, sleep, journaling and self-care.
Open the toolkitHow to ask ‘Are you OK?’
R U OK?
A simple four-step guide to starting the conversation: ask, listen, encourage action and check in.
Read the guideKits for work, community and schools
R U OK?
Posters, conversation guides and activity ideas to bring a culture of checking in to your workplace, club or school.
Get the kitsSuicide warning signs and safety planning guides
Suicide Call Back Service
Clear guides on the warning signs, why people become suicidal, and how to make a safety plan.
Read the guidesOur words matter
Mindframe
A guide to talking and writing about suicide in ways that reduce stigma and harm. Handy for anyone who shares stories or posts online.
Read the guideSupporting a young person
headspace
Information for family and friends on how to support a young person going through a hard time.
Read morePartners in Parenting
headspace
Free interactive online modules to help parents and carers build skills and confidence in supporting their teenager.
Start the modulesReachOut Parents
ReachOut
Free expert advice, coaching and support for parents and carers.
Visit ReachOut ParentsHeads Up
Beyond Blue
Free guidance and tools to help workplaces support mental health, including a step-by-step action plan.
Visit Heads UpApps & online tools
Tools you can use on your phone or computer. They support other care and don’t replace it.
Beyond Now
Lifeline
Build a step-by-step suicide safety plan: warning signs, coping strategies, reasons for living and people who can help. Best made with a support person or health professional.
Make a safety planOnline Clinic
Black Dog Institute
An anonymous self-assessment for adults that gives you a personalised report with suggested support and resources.
Take the assessmentMindSpot
Macquarie University Health
Free, confidential online assessment and therapist-supported treatment courses for Australian adults.
Start an assessmentSmiling Mind app
Smiling Mind
A free mindfulness and wellbeing app with programs for children, teens, adults and families.
Get the appOnline and phone support
headspace · ages 12–25
A free account, group chats, and online or phone access to a professional on 1800 650 890.
Get supportTools and apps
ReachOut
Tools and apps for young people to manage stress, mood and tough days.
Browse the toolsSupport for specific communities
Services that understand particular experiences. Every number here is free to call.
13YARN
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples · 13 92 76
A 24/7 phone service where you can yarn with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter.
Visit 13YARNQLife
LGBTIQ+ communities
Anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral by phone and webchat.
Visit QLifeMensLine Australia
Men · 1300 78 99 78
Free, professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling for men dealing with stress, relationships, anger or suicidal thoughts.
Visit MensLineOpen Arms
Veterans & families · 1800 011 046
Free 24-hour support for current and former ADF members and their families.
Visit Open ArmsKids Helpline
Young people aged 5–25 · 1800 55 1800
Free, confidential 24/7 counselling for children and young people by phone, webchat and email.
Visit Kids HelplineMates in Construction
Construction workers · 1300 642 111
24/7 mental health and suicide prevention support for construction workers and their families.
Visit MIC1800RESPECT
Family, domestic & sexual violence · 1800 737 732
Free, confidential 24/7 counselling and information for people affected by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Visit 1800RESPECTCarers Queensland
Carers
Information, support and services for people caring for someone, across Queensland.
Visit Carers QueenslandSANE
Complex mental health
Free information, support and referral for people living with complex mental health concerns, and for their families, friends and carers.
Visit SANEAfter a loss
Grief after suicide is its own kind of grief. These services are there for you, whenever the loss happened.
StandBy Support After Suicide
StandBy · 1300 727 247
Free support for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide, plus free books, leaflets and toolkits you can download.
See the resourcesThirrili
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples · 1800 805 801
Emotional and practical support for families affected by a loss from suicide, through a 24/7 Australia-wide support line.
Visit ThirriliGrief, loss and ‘Sorry Business’
Suicide Call Back Service
A guide to grief after many kinds of loss, including loss of cultural connection.
Read the guideKnow a great resource we’ve missed?
Tell us about it and we’ll look at adding it to this page.
Let us knowIf you need to talk to someone
These lines are free, confidential, and answered by people trained for exactly this. You don’t have to be in crisis to call.
If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services now.
Not sure who to call? 1300 MH CALL is Queensland’s free 24/7 mental health line. They’ll point you to the right service.
24 hours, 7 days
Support for people at risk, and advice for anyone worried about someone.