There are various counselling services and providers which may assist families and friends of missing persons in times of need, either during the disappearance of a loved one or after they have been located.
Specific support for families and friends of missing persons
Relationships Australia provide counselling and relationship support specifically to families and friends of missing persons (and missing persons) living in Queensland (including Northern NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (including Riverina and South Eastern NSW).
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre has trained senior experienced counsellors to address these specific support needs.
Phone 1300 364 277 (local call charge)
The Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit within the Attorney-General’s Department of NSW provides free counselling to families and friends who have a missing person in NSW. Counselling is also provided to residents of NSW that have a missing person in another State/Territory.
The Families & Friends of Missing Persons Unit are currently conducting a feedback survey to improve the response of service providers. The
survey flyer provides further information on participating in the survey.
Phone: 1800 227 772
Your General Practitioner / Counsellor
Families and friends of missing persons may prefer to seek counselling from their local General Practitioner or community service provider. The NMPCC suggests that the service provider is familiar with the national counselling framework
Supporting those who are left behind which specifically addresses the trauma experienced when someone is missing and the needs of an unresolved loss. This framework is available from the NMPCC and is free of charge.
General community services
The Department of Families and Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, has a Reconnect program that provides assistance to young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Reconnect may be able to provide support once a missing person is located, which may prevent them from going missing again.
Phone: 1800 813 750
Wayside Chapel (Shepherd of the Street program)
The Wayside Chapel operates Shepherds of the Street, a Sydney-based program that helps search for missing persons, particularly teenage runaways.
The Wayside Chapel provides support for all people in the community; young people, the homeless, the elderly, people with mental health issues and victims of domestic violence, abuse and drug addictions.
Phone: 02 9358 6577
A confidential support service for individuals, families and friends affected by dementia.
Alzheimer's Australia is the national peak body for the 500,000 people living with dementia, their families and carers and provides leadership in policy and services.A confidential support service for individuals, families and friends affected by dementia.
Phone: 1800 100 500
Compassionate Friends
Compassionate Friends offer 24 hour telephone support and coordinate support groups for parents and siblings who have experienced the loss of a child. Compassionate Friends is part of a worldwide self-help organisation.
Phone: ACT 02 6286 6134
Phone: NSW 02 9290 2355
Phone: VIC 03 9888 4944
Phone: WA 1800 628 118
Phone: SA 08 8351 0344
Phone: QLD 07 3252 2920
Kids Help Line provide a national, 24 hour confidential telephone support service (with trained counsellors) for young Australians aged between five and 18 years.
Phone: 1800 551 800
Lifeline provide a national, 24 hour telephone counselling and referral service.
Phone: 13 1114
Mental Health Information Service
Provides advice and local referrals for anyone suffering from a mental illness and their carers. Opening hours are between 12.30pm and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Phone: 1300 794 991
SANE Australia provides information on mental illness and related topics. SANE Australia have a dedicated
Helpline providing information about mental illness symptoms, treatments, medications, where to go for support and help for carers.
Phone: 1800 18 SANE (1800 18 7263)
Please note: Some agencies may require a fee. It is a good idea to check before your enlist their services.
