Helplines in Australia.

Battling to cope with your diagnosis and symptoms? Reach out to a helpline for free support in Australia

The reality of physical illness can be disruptive to your life, impacting how you do basic tasks and the way you see yourself. A serious diagnosis can leave you feeling helpless, defeated, isolated, burdensome and afraid. There are 10 helplines in Australia where you can confide in a volunteer or counselor. Consider contacting them if you feel:

• Grief about the health, mobility, social life and peace of mind that you have lost.
• Self-hate over what you’ve become or what feel you must have done to deserve it.
• Unsure how to process the reality of death or come to terms with your mortality.
• Afraid of what the future holds, including the pain you may feel, disabilities or death.
• Frustration and anger about the uncertainty and disabilities associated with your illness.
• Loss of control and an intense feeling of helplessness in the face of your illness.
• Worry that you are a burden and no longer as active or capable as before.
• Shame and sadness about becoming a burden to others.

Depending on your illness, personality, age, lifestyle and home support system, there are a range of difficult emotions you may be feeling. Illness can be life-changing, and it is always unexpected.

You have the potential to face the challenges of illness with resilience and grace – but you do need support. By reaching to a helpline in Australia, you can talk with counselor or volunteer who understands the unspoken, emotional effects of physical illness. Contacting a helpline doesn't mean you're weak – it simply shows that you are human.