The Best Tools in The Biz
Mental health apps, websites, and resources worth knowing about!
I’ve put together a collection of mental health resources I regularly recommend, come back to, or think are worth knowing about. Whether you're looking for something to help you understand what's going on, practise a new skill, support your child, a friend, manage anxiety, work on your relationship with food and your body, sleep a little better, or simply find someone to talk to - hopefully there’s something here for you.
A quick note: These resources are designed to complement professional support, not replace it. You also don't need to have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from many of them.
Understanding 'what's going on'
Black Dog Institute
Accessible information and resources covering anxiety, depression, stress, sleep and other areas of mental health and wellbeing.
Beyond Blue
A great all-round Australian mental health resource, with information about anxiety, depression, suicide prevention, relationships, wellbeing and supporting others.
They also offer a free, confidential 24/7 Support Service if you need to talk to someone.
Apps & digital tools
Smiling Mind
An Australian not-for-profit offering mindfulness and mental fitness resources for children, teenagers and adults. There are guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, body scans and programs that can be incorporated into everyday life.
Insight Timer
If you're looking for a lot of mindfulness and meditation options, Insight Timer is worth exploring.
There’s a huge library of guided meditations, breathing exercises, sleep tracks, mindfulness practices, talks and courses. You can search for something specific depending on what you need that day - whether that's winding down, sleeping, managing stress, taking a few minutes to reset or simply learning how to meditate. There is also a substantial free offering, so you can explore it without needing to commit to a subscription.
moodgym
Think of moodgym as an interactive self-help workbook based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
It helps you explore the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and practise different ways of responding.
myCompass
A free online self-help program developed by the Black Dog Institute.
myCompass includes structured psychological activities and mood tracking, with tools focused on things such as anxiety, depression, stress and sleep.
Headspace
A large library of guided mindfulness and meditation exercises covering areas such as stress, sleep, focus and emotional wellbeing.
Young people & parents
ReachOut
ReachOut has practical information, tools and stories covering everything from anxiety and friendships to school, relationships, body image, social media and mental health.
Their ReachOut Parents platform is particularly useful if you're trying to support a teenager and aren't quite sure what to say or do next.
headspace
A service specifically for young people aged 12–25, offering information, support and access to mental health services.
Parentline NSW
Parentline NSW provides support and counselling for parents and carers who are navigating parenting challenges, family relationships or simply feeling a bit stuck.
Everyday wellbeing
Beyond Blue PACE
PACE is Beyond Blue's free wellbeing app, built around four simple ideas:
Pause · Activate · Connect · Enjoy
Lifeline Support Toolkit
Lifeline has a collection of practical mental health information, tools and resources covering a wide range of topics.
Eating disorders & body image
Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly is an Australian organisation specialising in eating disorders and body image concerns.
Their resources are useful for people experiencing disordered eating or body image concerns, as well as parents, carers, friends, teachers and other people supporting someone they care about. They also offer a free and confidential National Helpline, online support and a referral database for eating-disorder professionals and services.
Butterfly National Helpline: 1800 33 4673
InsideOut Institute
InsideOut Institute is Australia's national institute for eating-disorder research and clinical excellence.
Their eClinic provides free, evidence-based online programs and tools for people experiencing eating-disorder symptoms, as well as resources for carers and support people.
Note: eligibility varies between InsideOut programs. Check the individual program requirements before getting started.
NEDC — National Eating Disorders Collaboration
The National Eating Disorders Collaboration is a great place to learn more about eating disorders.
You'll find information about different eating disorders, warning signs, early intervention, treatment, recovery and supporting someone else.
Gambling, alcohol & drug addictions
GambleAware / Gambling Help Online
You can access free, confidential support 24/7, including online chat with a trained gambling counsellor. They can provide immediate support, help you work out what might be useful next and connect you with ongoing counselling or other services. Support is also for partners, parents, friends and other people affected by someone else's gambling habits.
24/7 Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858
GambleAware NSW
For people in NSW, GambleAware provides free and confidential support, including counselling and financial counselling. There are local services across Sydney and regional NSW, as well as telephone support.
BetStop
If online or phone gambling is becoming difficult to manage, BetStop is Australia's national self-exclusion register. It allows you to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services through one registration.
Financial counselling
Free financial counselling is available through gambling support services and can help with things like debts, budgeting and getting a clearer picture of your finances.
Alcohol & other drugs
If alcohol or other drug use is becoming difficult to manage, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) is a good place to start for reliable information and pathways to support. You can also speak with your GP about what type of professional support might be appropriate.
National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline
The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction: 1800 250 015.
Turning Point
Turning Point provides information, assessment and treatment services for people experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs and gambling. It's also a useful source of information if you're trying to understand whether someone's substance use or gambling has become a problem.
When you need more than an app
Beyond Blue
Free, confidential counselling is available 24/7 through the Beyond Blue Support Service.
1300 22 4636
Lifeline
If you're experiencing a crisis or having thoughts of suicide, Lifeline provides crisis support.
13 11 14
If life is in immediate danger, call 000.
Kids Helpline
Free, confidential support is available for children and young people, as well as parents and carers.
1800 55 1800
One final thing
You also don't need to use every app, complete every workbook or meditate for 20 minutes a day to look after your mental health. Even if you try just one thing, see whether it helps, keep what works and leave what doesn't. Everyone is different and has different preferences and needs. Also, never underestimate the impact of a walk in nature without your phone, or a meaningful conversation with someone you trust.
If you're finding that things are becoming difficult to manage on your own, please do reach out for additional support. If you'd like to explore whether counselling might be helpful, feel free to get in touch.
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