As health professionals, while we often work with people directly experiencing distress or mental health concerns, we also work with their support people, family members, friends, carers, or colleagues. Support people play a vital role in recovery and safety across a range of contexts, including mental health difficulties, alcohol and other drug (AOD) concerns, suicidal distress, eating disorders, and family violence.
Yet many support people report feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how best to help. Digital mental health services can provide accessible, evidence-informed options for both those in distress and their support networks. Below, we outline some important digital mental health services that may be helpful for your clients who also take on a supporting role in their life.
General Information, Counselling and Peer Support for Support People
Support people often need a mix of reliable information, counselling, and connection to others in similar situations. Services like Beyond Blue and SANE offer counselling, online forums, and accessible information for people navigating complex or persistent mental health issues and their support people.
SANE
Family Friends and Carers Forum
https://saneforums.org/t5/Friends-families-and-carers/gh-p/friends-families-carers-hub
Counselling, peer support and information for adults with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and their support people. Counselling available Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm.
Beyond Blue
Information for support people
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/support-someone
Supporting Family and Friends Forum
https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/supporting-family-and-friends/bd-p/c1-sc3-b4
A website offering free information on mental health, a screening tool (K-10), 24/7 phone and webchat counselling, mental health coaching, and peer support forums. Topics include anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, natural disasters, as well as young people, parenting, employment stress, LGBTIQA+ people and support people.
Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
Supporting someone with alcohol or other drug use can be particularly complex and emotionally demanding. Digital services offer supporters tools to build resilience, access peer connection, and find local treatment pathways.
Symptom Management and Wellbeing Tools
Family and Friends Support Program
Self-guided online wellbeing programs or apps for adults supporting someone; using alcohol and/or other drugs, crystal methamphetamine, and/or living in a rural/remote location. Additional program for adults experiencing domestic and family violence or supporting someone who is.
Peer Support
Breathing Space
https://breathingspace.community/
Secure app or web forum providing access to an online community of peers to improve wellbeing and resilience while supporting someone with drug or alcohol use.
Screening and Referral
Alcohol and Drug Foundation Path2Help
https://adf.org.au/help-support/path2help/
Online portal for individuals, or family and friends seeking alcohol and other drug services in their area.
Those affected by suicide
Supporting someone experiencing suicidal thoughts or recovering from a suicide attempt can be deeply stressful and confronting. Digital programs and resources can provide guidance, coping strategies, and reassurance for supporters.
Symptom Management and Wellbeing Tools
Minds Together
Wellbeing programs to help adult family and friends of adults who have attempted suicide or paramedics who are experiencing mental health issues.
You Are Not Alone
https://www.sane.org/you-are-not-alone
A website providing information for people supporting someone who has suicidal thoughts or who has attempted suicide.
Eating Disorders
Families and carers often play a central role in recovery from eating disorders, but they may need specific guidance to feel confident in their support. Digital services can provide structured advice, meal support training, and referral options to complement professional treatment.
Symptom Management and Wellbeing Tools
Feed Your Instinct
https://feedyourinstinct.com.au
Parent-report interactive checklist (FYI Eating and Body Image Checklist) providing practical tips and guidance for parents and caregivers of children and young people experiencing eating and/or body image problems and toolkit to support connection to professional help.
The Shared Table
https://edqsharedtable.com.au/
An online meal support training program for support people of loved ones with an eating disorder. Does not replace advice from a treatment team.
Screening and Referral
Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders
https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/
Online self-assessment, information, and referral to face-to-face services for eating disorders.
Domestic and Family Violence
Support people affected by domestic and family violence often need both education about what is happening and safe access to crisis counselling. Digital services can help supporters recognise signs of violence, respond appropriately, and access professional support.
Symptom Management and Wellbeing Tools
What’s OK at Home (WOAH)
A website to help young people (10-17yrs) and their adult allies affected by family violence recognise it and seek help.
Counselling
Full Stop Australia
1800 385 578 (24/7) | 1800 497 212 (24/7, for LGBTQIA+ community)
Telephone and webchat sexual, domestic and family violence counselling service for survivors and their support people. Specialist phone line for anyone from the LGBTIQA+ community.
Grief
Counselling
Griefline
1300 845 745
A free telephone support line with trained volunteers for adults experiencing grief and loss or those supporting someone who is grieving.
If you are looking for more information on how digital mental health can help support people, check out our referral sheet for support people and our blog on supporting a friend with mental health concerns.
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