Autistic Advocacy

crisis and mental health support

We know it’s hard to find suitable mental health and crisis resources for Autistic people!

Here are some things that might help you or your autistic friends or family members.

Remember that every autistic person is different, so consider whether the information provided is suitable.

if a life is in danger, contact emergency services

If a life is in danger, you can always call emergency services. If someone is seriously injured or in need of urgent medical help, or if your life or property is being threatened, or if you have just witnessed a serious accident or crime, then you can call emergency services for help. These calls are always free from any land line or mobile phone and connect with all emergency services – police, firefighters and ambulances.

call 000 In australia

call 111 in new zealand

call 112 from anywhere

No matter which way you contact emergency services, it’s important to:

Ask for the service you need – police (PPP), fire (FFF), or ambulance (AAA)
Tell them your location (if you can)
Explain the emergency (if possible)
Stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up.

If you speak a language other than English, a translator will be organised while you are on the call.

alternative options – prepare now

If you are non-speaking, d/Deaf or have trouble communicating, there are alternatives available to connect with all emergency services, but you need to prepare in advance.

In Australia: Make an emergency call with the National Relay Service (NRS) >
In New Zealand: 111 TXT if you are registered. Using the 111 TXT service in New Zealand >

The Australian National Relay Service provides several alternatives to Triple Zero so you can contact an accessible service in a crisis. Learn how to make an emergency call using the National Relay Service >

We recommend you find a service that is accessible before you need it! And keep instructions for that service with you. Here is a list of the services with links to instructions that can be bookmarked, saved or printed.

- NRS Chat > suitable for people with computers who type or spell and read
- SMS Relay > suitable for people with mobile phones who type or spell and read
- SMS Relay Text and Listen > suitable for people with mobile phones who can text and listen
- Video Relay > suitable for Auslan users with MS Teams access (limited hours, not prioritised)
- Voice Relay > suitable for people with speech or communication difficulties
- NRS Captions > suitable for people with hearing or auditory processing difficulties who can read
- TTY Speak and Read > suitable for TTY users (equipment required) who can speak and read
- TTY Type and Read > suitable for TTY users (equipment required) who can type and read
- TTY Type and Listen > suitable for TTY users (equipment required) who can type and listen

IMPORTANT: Some of the NRS options require equipment and charges may apply for calls or data usage. Please prepare ahead and do not rely on this information on this page being correct and available in an emergency.

When there is no phone

In rural and remote areas, and areas at risk of natural disasters, you can’t assume a mobile phone will work in an emergency. When access to phone lines and internet coverage is unreliable or inaccessible, make sure you have a backup plan. Consider:

Citizens Band radios (CB radios) have a range of several kilometres and are often used by truck drivers and emergency responders, so if you have a local emergency services station in the region, this could be a good back up option.
Long range radios (Ham Radios or Amateur Radios), require equipment and a licence. If you are living in remote areas, it’s a good idea to know who has these and where they are.
Satellite phones or Satphones, that usually connect directly to emergency services numbers. Check they work for yours.

You might need to use a mix of these options.

if a life is at risk

call 000 in australia
call 111 in new zealand