Wellbeing and connection map
The City of Melbourne has created a map to help you find activities, services and initiatives that support community participation, inclusion and connection.
This interactive map provides information about existing community initiatives and programs within the City of Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. It includes a variety of age and community specific programs across the following categories:
- health, wellbeing and fitness
- arts and culture
- education and lifelong learning
- social groups
- gardening
- food.
We have developed this map as part of our efforts to address and prevent forms of loneliness and social isolation linked to poor mental health and wellbeing. You can now easily explore the many fantastic community initiatives and programs we have in and around our municipality. No matter your age, background, abilities, sexual or gender identity – this map will help you find a space where you feel welcomed and supported.
Add to the map
Do you know of, run or participate in a community initiative that you think should be featured on this map? You can submit a request to have it listed on the map.
Additional support and resources
While connecting with your community is a great way to improve your mental health, there are situations where you might need more specialised, urgent support.
We have highlighted a list of key mental health services, helplines, and crisis support numbers for those requiring more immediate mental health support or clinical care.
If you are in an emergency situation, or at an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, call 000.
Ask Izzy connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, health and wellbeing services, family violence support, counselling and much more.
24-hour Australia-wide telephone counselling service.
- Call 13 11 14 (24 hours, every day)
- Text 0477 131 114 (from 6pm to midnight AEDT, every night)
- Lifeline online crisis chat15Opens in new tab (from 7pm to midnight, every night)
Suicide call back serviceOpens in new tab
The Suicide call back service is a national telehealth provider available 24 hours, every day that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Australia affected by suicide.
If you're going through a hard time right now, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 for brief counselling.
1300 22 4636 (24 hours, every day)
Free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Kids Helpline also provides web chat counselling and email counselling (emails monitored from 8am to 10pm daily)
1800 551 800 (24 hours, every day)
Confidential mental health and wellbeing information, support and health services for young people aged 12 to 25 and their families.
1800 650 890 (9am to 1am, every day)
If you need an interpreter to help speak with any of the above services, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450.
13YARN (Thirteen YARN)Opens in new tab
The first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. Offers a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.
13 92 76 (24 hours, every day)
A national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line. This is a free service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
1800 737 732 (24 hours, every day)
The Orange DoorOpens in new tab
The Orange Door provides help for people experiencing family violence, or who need assistance with the care and wellbeing of children and young people. Services are free and individuals contacting don't need a referral.
1800 271 045 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) – The Orange Door in Western Melbourne
WIRE (Women's Information and Referral Exchange Inc.)Opens in new tab
Victoria-wide free generalist information, support and referral service run by women and non-binary people for women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
1300 134 130 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Support, information and referral service helping men to deal with emotional and relationship problems in a practical and effective way. The online chat service provides 30 minute real time messaging with a professional counsellor. The skype video chat service provides 30 minute virtual face-to-face support with a counsellor.
1300 78 99 78 (24 hours, every day)
SANE AustraliaOpens in new tab
Provides a range of services including a hotline, online forums, referrals, workplace resources and advocacy about complex mental health issues
Switchboard – QlifeOpens in new tab
Counselling, information and referral services for LGBTIQA+ people, their family and friends.
1800 184 527 or online chat (3pm to midnight, every day)
Butterfly FoundationOpens in new tab
Support for people experiencing disordered eating or an eating disorder.
Located at 53 Victoria Street Melbourne, cohealth's City Street Health program is a comprehensive street-based outreach service staffed by health workers such as a GP and nurses. They cover most of the city. Services include drug and alcohol outreach support, homeless allied health, drug and alcohol counselling, homeless mental health, and homeless support services.
Anonymous and confidential, ReachOut is a safe place where young people can openly express themselves, get a deeper understanding and perspective on what's happening in their lives, connect with people who will provide judgement-free support, and build the resilience to manage their challenges now and in the future.
Book a free text-based chat with a peer worker.
Frontyard Youth ServicesOpens in new tab
Multidisciplinary holistic programs to meet the needs of young people aged 12 to 24 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Partners in WellbeingOpens in new tab
Free support and advice to improve your mental health and wellbeing. This includes specialised free, confidential, one on one support for small business owners.
1300 375 330 (9am to 10pm weekdays, 9am to 5pm weekends)
