Suicide prevention and crisis support lines for children say price gouging by mobile phone companies on calls to their helplines is putting lives in danger.

Telcos are charging almost $1 a minute when users call 1800 or 1300 numbers from their mobile phones, and exclude such numbers from the quotas provided on their cap plans. These calls are either free or the cost of a local call when dialled from landlines.

Crisis lines such as Lifeline and Kids Helpline say a large and increasing portion of their callers are on mobiles and the exorbitant fees are discouraging and preventing people from seeking help.

Peak consumer groups - including the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the Australian Financial Counselling and Credit Reform Association (AFCCRA) and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) - have lodged a joint so-called "super complaint" over the matter with the communications watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

They argue that the high costs associated with the calls prevent people from contacting essential services surrounding suicide, mental health and financial distress. Mobile users, many of whom are already facing financial troubles, are also being stung for calls to vital government agencies such as Centrelink, telcos and utility providers.