Help someoneyou know
A practical guide for when you're worried about a friend, partner, colleague, or family member. Not medical advice — but it can help you take the next safe step.
If you think someone is in immediate danger or there's a medical emergency, call 000.
If there's an immediate threat to life, serious self-harm, violence, overdose, or a medical emergency — call 000 now. Don't wait.
Keep it simple and genuine: "I've noticed you don't seem yourself. I'm here with you. What's been going on?" — then listen.
If you're worried and can't reach someone, a welfare check may help. Call 131 444 (Police Assistance Line) for non-urgent situations.
Signs someone might need urgent help
Trust your instincts. You don't need to be certain to check in or ask for help.
- Talking about wanting to die or hurt themselves
- Saying they feel hopeless, trapped, or like a burden
- Sudden goodbye messages, giving away belongings
- Severe intoxication, overdose, or dangerous behaviour
- Withdrawing from friends, family, work, or study
- Big changes in sleep, appetite, mood, or self-care
- Increased substance use
- Not turning up to important commitments
Welfare checks in Australia
A welfare check is when police attend to check on someone's safety. It can be appropriate if you're seriously worried and can't reach them.
- They've made threats of self-harm, or you believe they may act on them
- They're missing unexpectedly or not responding in an unusual way
- You have credible information they may be unsafe at home
- Full name, address, and last known location
- Any immediate risks (weapons, threats, medical conditions)
- What you observed and when you last had contact
- Your relationship to the person and your contact details
The Australian Federal Police notes that the Police Assistance Line (131 444) can be used in non-urgent situations to connect you to local police. afp.gov.au
State & territory contacts
The process is broadly the same across Australia: call 000 for emergencies, or 131 444 for non-urgent welfare checks. Links below go to official contact pages where available.
The crisis services page lists 24/7 options — call, text, and chat.