Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year for everyone.

While it’s a time of joy for some, the Christmas period can also be a lonely, stressful time for others, particularly those who already struggle with their mental health or have other health, family or financial worries.

The important thing to remember is, you are not alone. There is always someone to talk to, no matter where you live or what struggles you are facing.

We here at Developing Australian Communities care about you and want you to reach out if you are sad, lonely or just need someone to talk to.

There are several organisations that provide support and education for people with mental illness and their families and carers throughout Australia.

If you or a family member or a loved one need help urgently – please consult our list below and speak to someone now.

Some of the main groups are listed below – please keep them handy for you and your loved ones:

1800RESPECT National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling services 24-hour online support for workers and professionals. Phone: 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au/

Alcoholics Anonymous for people struggling with alcohol misuse. Head to https://aa.org.au/contact-aa/ for contacts in your state or look in any telephone directory for numbers closest to you. Phone lines are manned by AA volunteers.

Al-Anon helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with someone whose drinking is a problem. Head to https://www.al-anon.org.au/ for details or phone 1300 252 666.

Australian Government: Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources. headtohealth.gov.au/

Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or email.

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It provides support, education and resources for the families and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, Monday – Sunday between 9am – 5pm AEST or via email helpline@blueknot.org.au.

Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline is a free, confidential service that provides information, counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image-related issues. Call 1800 33 4673, 8am-midnight AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email.

Carer Gateway Are you one of the 2.5 million Australians who care for a loved one, friend or neighbour? Find out information about the support services available to you, on the Carer Gateway. www.carergateway.gov.au

FriendLine supports anyone who’s feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. You can call them 7 days a week on 1800 424 287, or chat online with one of their trained volunteers. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous.

Gambling Helpline Starting to think gambling might be a problem? Find out about the signs of a problem and assess gambling issues and spending. Phone: 1800 858 858 http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

headspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, 9am – 1am AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email.

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 55 1800.

Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 (12pm to midnight AEST) or chat online.

MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or organise a video chat.

MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service.  Call 1800 61 44 34.

Mindframe-Media For media and resource information about suicide in Australia mindframe.org.au/

MI Networks Offering access to relevant, up-to-date information, peer support and connections to local community networks, Mi Networks members provide a personalised response to the needs of individuals living with mental illness, their carers, friends and family members. Phone: 1800 985 944 www.minetworks.org.au/

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is Australia’s leading national provider of high quality, free and confidential counselling and support services for Australian veterans and their families. If you or someone you know needs support call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 – 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit www.openarms.gov.au

Parentline is a telephone service for parents and carers of children 0-18 in New South Wales. Phone: 1300 1300 52 www.parentline.org.au/

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. Call 1300 726 306, 9am – 7:30pm AEST (Monday-Friday).

QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services for lesbian peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm – 12am (midnight) AEST/7 days a week.

ReachOut.com is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service. ReachOut.com is an initiative of the Inspire Foundation, an Australian non-profit with a mission to help young people lead happier lives. au.reachout.com/

Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. Phone: 1300 364 277 http://www.relationships.org.au/

SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals. Call 1800 18 7263, 10am – 10pm AEST (Monday-Friday), or chat online.

Stride Mental Health Formerly known as Aftercare, has been helping people feel better for over a century. Stride supports you in all stages of your mental health journey https://stride.com.au

Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.

Open Arms — Veterans and Families Counselling provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partners and families. Call 1800 011 046.