Get help now
24/7 crisis lines
You can call these free services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
| Service | Phone |
|---|---|
| NSW Mental Health Line | 1800 011 511 |
| Alcohol and other Drugs Information Service (ADIS) | 1800 422 599 |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 |
| Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 |
| National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service | 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT) |
| Child Protection Helpline | 13 21 11 |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 |
| NSW Rape Crisis Centre Counselling | 1800 424 017 |
For a more complete list of mental health and drug and alcohol services and support available across NSW see the NSW Health Mental Health contacts page, which includes a list of Aboriginal health services.
Far West LHD facilities and services
We work to provide a range of integrated services to meet the needs of our local communities. We want people to have access to the care that they need when they need it.
Our service offers assessment, support, case management, referral and a range of treatments.
Our Far West Community Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol teams are based at Broken Hill Hospital, and at 55 Sturt Place, Dareton. But they run regular outreach face to face and virtual care clinics in other communities.
Our team members are professionally trained and come from a variety of backgrounds. They include people with training and experience in areas such as nursing, Aboriginal health science, psychology, social work, social welfare and psychiatry and people with lived experience of mental health, drug and alcohol issues.
We provide treatment for mental health and drug and alcohol issues such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. We can also support you to address drug and alcohol issues and can refer you to a range of other services for specialised care.
We can meet with you at the health service or visit you at home. We encourage you to involve supportive family members or friends in your care.
When you contact our service, we will ask for information about you and your situation so we can see what service you need and how quickly you need it. We will discuss the range of options with you.
Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Call our Broken Hill team on (08) 8080 1554 or Dareton on 03 5021 7200.
The Far West Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is based in the Broken Hill Community Health Centre. We provide assessment, diagnosis, support, counselling and other treatment for under 18s.
We look at all referrals as soon as possible and will phone the child’s carer to confirm details, get more information and discuss the options.
Opening hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Call (08) 8080 1100.
Broken Hill Hospital has a small mental health inpatient unit for people experiencing acute mental health issues.
It provides short-term 24-hour care by registered nurses under the guidance of a psychiatric team. Patients are supported with medication and can be linked with a case manager for longer term support with stresses like housing or finances.
Admission can be voluntary, or involuntary under the NSW Mental Health Act.
The Far West Mental Health Recovery Centre offers day programs and a voluntary 6-week live-in recovery program designed for people recovering from conditions that affect their mental health. It is run by community-managed organisation Neami National in partnership with our local health district team.
The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Program provides treatment and counselling for people with drug and alcohol related matters before the Local Court.
If you are over 18, you can be referred to MERIT from Broken Hill Local Court by the magistrate and solicitors or other service providers, or you can refer yourself.
When you contact our service, you will be offered an appointment for an assessment interview with a counsellor. If you are eligible, at your next court date the Local Court will be informed that you seek referral to the program and the Magistrate will decide if you can participate.
We will need to know your current charges and have your voluntary consent to attend. To meet the selection criteria, you cannot be charged with an indictable offence, or an offence that is violent or of a sexual nature. We will also need to know your current levels of drug and/or alcohol use.
The service is located at 265 Argent Street, Broken Hill NSW 2880.
Call (08) 8088 7199, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
People needing help with a dependence on opiate drugs can access counselling, case management and treatment through Broken Hill Hospital.
The NSW Opioid Treatment Program provides opioid replacement therapy for people who are dependent on opioids such as heroin, morphine and oxycodone. It gives people the chance to stop their illicit or problematic use of opioids and reduce the harms from such use. They can then focus on improving their health and lifestyle and prepare for staying drug-free.
There are different types of drug treatments available and assessment by an authorised doctor is required to determine which treatment is the most suitable.
For more information, referral and advice call the Opioid Treatment Line (OTL) on 1800 642 428, Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm.
NSW Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services (PIMHS) is a free, state-wide mental health service.
Free advice and services are available to women and parents:
before you get pregnant
during pregnancy
until your child is 2 years old
if you currently have or have had serious mental health issues
if you have other risk factors.
To access services, you will need to:
get a referral from your doctor, midwife or health worker
or call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
People living in Far West LHD can access the service via virtual care (telehealth).
Find out more on the PIMHS website.
Other programs
Other programs provided by the Far West Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol service include:
Our partners and community groups
We work with a range of other organisations to provide coordinated mental health and drug and alcohol across the Far West.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes is our partner in the Family and Carer Mental Health Program.
The Safe Haven Café (administered by Mission Australia) provides rapid and compassionate care by mental health clinicians and peer workers in a non-clinical environment for people who are in acute psychological distress and/or experiencing a suicidal crisis.
Mission Australia and Flourish provide additional services to people whose lives have been impacted by mental health and drug and alcohol issues.
Consumer and Carer Advisory Group (CCAG) are a consumer and carer community group who contribute to the co-design of the Far West Local Health District’s mental health service delivery.
Neami National operates our Far West Mental Health Recovery Centre in Broken Hill.
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation provides holistic care, including care for mental health and drug and alcohol issues, to people in the Far West.
Royal Flying Doctor Service provides mental health and drug and alcohol services to remote communities.
The Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health supports mental health research and student placements in the Far West.
Lifeline provides a range of counselling services.
Tell us about your experience
We are passionate about providing excellent care to our local communities.
Your feedback will help us improve our services.
Please complete the NSW mental health service experience survey using one of the unique service codes below.
| Service name | Service code |
|---|---|
| Broken Hill Adult Community Mental Health Service | 2641 |
| Broken Hill Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) | 2645 |
| Broken Hill Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (MHIPS) | 2869 |
| Broken Hill Mental Health Recovery Centre (Neami) | 4795 |
| Safe Haven Café | 5986 |
| Dareton Adult Community Mental Health Service | 2663 |