The Wellbeing Helpline is accessible for free by calling 1800 959 500 within Australia. You can also seek counselling via email from anywhere in the world. Please note that unless it’s an emergency, appointment with counsellors will be scheduled for between 8am – 6pm, Monday – Friday. Appointments can be by phone or video conference.

The Wellbeing Helpline is available to anyone who works in the Australian creative industries, including performing arts, music, film and television, and visual arts. You do not have to be currently working to call the Helpline.

The Wellbeing Helpline is also available to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) who do not have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The Helpline does not replace an organisational EAP or ongoing professional clinical support.

The Wellbeing Helpline is staffed by experienced counsellors from AccessEAP. They are predominantly psychologists, with some specialist social workers and counsellors. All hold full registration and membership with the appropriate accreditation bodies in Australia.

If you would like to speak to a counsellor of a specific gender/background or if you don’t connect with the first counsellor you speak with, please let the team know and we’ll do our best to accomodate your request.

Support Act and our colleagues at the Arts Wellbeing Collective work closely with the counsellors to ensure they have an understanding of the challenges faced by music and performing arts workers, and many of the counsellors have direct experience working in the industry. However, you may still need to explain some aspects of your job. We appreciate your patience if the counsellors are not across every aspect of your work environment.

Yes. You can call for support, counselling or coaching on any aspect of your mental health and wellbeing. There is diverse experience among the counsellors and specialist support is available for people from:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• LGBTQI+ communities

And for people experiencing

• Harm from gambling, alcohol and other drugs
• Financial and legal issues
• Relationship issues
• Family violence
• Sexual harassment

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, the National Relay Service (NRS) can help you. Find out more here or use the numbers below:

Voice Relay number
1300 555 727 (and then add 1800 959 500)

TTY number
133 677 (and then add 1800 959 500)

SMS relay number
0423 677 767 (and then add 1800 959 500)

You can also submit an online booking at supportact.org.au/wellbeinghelpline and request an Auslan or Deaf / Blind Tactile interpreter or request to connect with a counsellor who signs. We will respond as soon as we can during business hours.

The Wellbeing Helpline is designed for short-term support. Many people report feeling relieved and ‘helped’ after just one conversation! If you need ongoing support, your counsellor will assist you with this.

The Helpline offers up to 12 free counselling sessions per person.

When you call, the intake worker will ask your details and make an appointment for a time that suits you.

Your counsellor will ask you some general questions in your first appointment, such as which part of the creative industries you work in and some other personal details for duty of care purposes. You do not need to disclose anything that you are uncomfortable sharing.

Yes. Absolute confidentiality is assured, and is in fact mandatory for all counsellors, except where required by law, such as duty of care. The counsellors are extremely aware of the importance of confidentiality, and sensitive to both legal and ethical confidentiality requirements.

Support Act receives reporting of pure statistical data that shows how many people accessed the Wellbeing Helpline, and high-level data about themes. No names or personal details are shared in this reporting.

The counsellors staffing the Wellbeing Helpline care about you as a person. There is no presumption or judgement on your role, background, status or experience – they care about the issues that you experience as a human.

The Wellbeing Helpline is currently available via phone or video conference.

Yes – If you would like a Support Act social worker to make an appointment on your behalf, they can, with consent. They can make the appointment for you directly or ask the Wellbeing Helpline to call the you instead.

Yes. You will be asked when you call whether you’d prefer to speak to someone then or make an appointment for a more suitable time.

If you’re a current Service User and would like a Support Act social worker to make an appointment on your behalf, they can, with consent.

No matter what it is – maybe you need advice on how to navigate the ups and downs of work, tips for post-show wind down, strategies for maximising time with family or anything else – big or small, if you feel you could benefit from a conversation with a qualified mental health professional, the Wellbeing Helpline is for you.

Your wellbeing is our priority. No matter how big or small the issue you’re dealing with is, don’t hesitate to call. You don’t have to be in a crisis to call the Helpline, sometimes you just need to talk it out.

That’s ok – this is a great starting place! The counsellors can help point you in the right direction if the Wellbeing Helpline is not what you need right now.

Yes. Sometimes it takes a while for you to find a connection with a counsellor who ‘gets’ you and your experiences, preferences and style. That’s fine and totally normal – we strongly encourage you to keep reaching out until you find someone who feels like a good fit for you.

Please contact admin@supportact.org.au and we will respond as soon as we can.