A national service is offering peer support, for when a friendly tearoom chat is not enough.
Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia (NMHPA) is a national service that every nurse, midwife and student should know about. We offer support and a safe, neutral space to discuss your health and wellbeing with a nurse or midwife trained in peer support counselling.
Take the first step to get support
Nurses and midwives are incredibly skilled at caring for others. But many of us find it difficult to ask for support ourselves. We don’t want to make a fuss, be a burden, or ask to be prioritised over others with ‘bigger problems’.
Pushing through without support can lead to exhaustion, burnout, isolation, and poor mental health outcomes. That’s where peer support can make a real difference.
Many people find it helpful to talk things through in a safe, non-judgmental space, whether they’re navigating challenges at work or in their personal life. You don’t need to be in crisis to reach out — and if you do need more specialised support, we can help guide you to the right place.
Peer support – we listen with understanding
Our program’s peer support model means that when you speak with someone, you don’t need to explain the basics. We understand the unspoken pressures, the culture, the emotional toll, and the complexity of the job.
Whether you’re experiencing burnout, navigating moral distress, struggling with the emotional aftermath of a clinical situation, or just not feeling like yourself — our team is here to listen, support, and help you find your way forward.
And the feedback is positive – those who have used the service are reporting its working.
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“I wish I’d known this service existed sooner.” Said over and over again by nurses and midwives across Australia |
A national, independent, compassionate program
We offer peer support counselling to nurses, midwives, and students of the professions across Australia. We are not a crisis or clinical supervision service. Our role is to offer supportive conversations with peers who understand the profession.
We’re independent from employers and regulatory bodies, so you can speak openly in a space focused on your wellbeing. Conversations are handled with care and confidentiality, and our peer clinicians are trained to support you with compassion and understanding.
We want you to know that you’re not alone. Support is available and it is confidential, independent and free of charge, thanks to Australian Government funding.
Peer support explained
Peer support is where people use their own experiences to help each other. It is mutual and reciprocal and relates to nurses and midwives supporting each other (and our students).
While many of us get support from our colleagues or from professional networks, sometimes we don’t have an understanding ear, or we need a safe place to talk. We offer a neutral, structured and safe space for you to talk about you.
Our service is delivered by trained peers — nurses and midwives who understand the profession, its demands, its joys and its unique challenges.
Access our service – it’s simple
No need for a referral or a formal diagnosis; if you’re a nurse, a midwife, a student, a new graduate, or decades into your career, we welcome you.
No matter where you live or work, help is close – we offer telephone, telehealth and face-to-face services across Australia. You can:
- call 1800 001 060 and speak to a peer (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
- request a callback contact us form
- contact your state or territory’s location
Reasons people access our service
Every nurse, midwife and student will have a different story, but some of the most common reasons people access our service are:
- Burnout and emotional exhaustion
- Psychological distress
- Compassion fatigue
- Personal or professional grief
- Anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed
EAPs – how does our service differ
Your employer may provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Some people have told us their workplace EAP feels too close to home. Or they prefer to speak to someone who has a deeper understanding of their work environment.
We exist solely to support your wellbeing. Free, independent, confidential.
Let’s make seeking support normal
We believe that seeking support is a strength — not a weakness. Our vision is to empower nurses and midwives to prioritise their health and wellbeing in the same way they advocate for the health of others.
Every day, we hear from people who’ve reached out for the first time — often after months or even years of carrying a silent burden. Many tell us they wish they’d contacted us sooner.
So, we’re spreading the word: support is here.
Contact us
If you’re unsure if our program is right for you, contact us for a chat. You can ask for your enquiry to be handled anonymously, and there’s no pressure or commitment.
You can request a one-off conversation or begin a longer journey with one of our nurse or midwife clinicians. Either way, we’re here to walk alongside you.
Call 1800 001 060 or visit nursemidwifehpa.org.au to learn more, find your local office, or request a callback.
You care for others. Let us care for you.
Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia
Free, independent, confidential peer support for nurses, midwives, and students of the professions.
