What happens next?

If Triple Zero (000) is called:

Stay calm and call Triple Zero from a safe place.
Don’t hang up until the operator asks you to do so.
The operator will ask you which emergency services you require – police, fire or ambulance – and will connect you. The operator may ask where you are calling from.
It is important to remember to stay calm, stay on the line and clearly answer the operator’s questions.
You will be asked to provide location details. Try to provide the street number, street name, nearest cross street and the area.
If you have difficulty speaking English, you can ask for an interpreter once you have been transferred to the emergency service you requested. This is a free service.

Emergency Services Response:

Depending on the situation, if Triple Zero is called, either the Police or Ambulance Service may respond. The Police and/or Ambulance services will make a decision about the most appropriate course of action given the situation. This might include bringing a person to hospital for a mental health assessment or requesting the support of the community-based mental health services.

There are some circumstances (usually where there is risk to a person and/or others) where the Police and Ambulance services can use powers under the Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW) to bring a person to the hospital. More information about involuntary hospitalisation can be found by clicking on the following links to Fact Sheets:

Understanding Involuntary Treatment

Understanding the Mental Health Act

If the Mental Health Line is called:

If the Mental Health Line is called, there will be prompts to choose from and these will direct you to a mental health professional who will:

take your details
discuss the situation
make a collaborative plan with you; and
where necessary, contact the local Community Mental Health Emergency Team (CoMHET) or Mental Health Crisis Team.
The local CoMHET or Crisis Team will then contact you and develop a plan which may involve talking over the phone, visiting the home or asking the person to come to the local Community Health Centre or Hospital Emergency Department for a more thorough assessment.