Seeking professional help for mental health

When to seek help

If you’re concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, there’s no wrong time to seek help. In general, you should consider seeking professional help if you’ve been experiencing thoughts, feelings or behaviours that both:

• affect your daily life negatively
• last for 2 weeks or more.

Find out more about mental illness and the symptoms of mental illness on the healthdirect website.

Where to seek help

Seeking help could involve talking to your general practitioner, often called a GP. If you don’t have a GP you can search for one using the service finder on the healthdirect website.

Your GP can do a mental health assessment. They may then:

• suggest a mental health treatment plan if you have a diagnosed mental health disorder
• refer you to see a mental health professional such as a clinical or registered psychologist, eligible occupational therapist or eligible social worker
• suggest mental health resources to support you
• prescribe you medication.

Find out more about mental health professionals on the healthdirect website.

Finding local services

You can call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 for advice on what mental health services are available in your local area. They can help connect you to the mental health service that best meets your needs. This is a free service, available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Help with costs

Your GP may suggest a mental health treatment plan and referral if you have a diagnosed mental health disorder. Through the plan, you may be able to access individual and group mental health services at a lower cost to you. A psychiatrist or paediatrician can also directly refer you for these services.

Find out more about mental health care and Medicare on the Services Australia website.

You can also find out more about mental health treatment plans on the healthdirect website.

Online treatment programs

There are many online mental health services, including treatment programs, websites, chat groups and apps.

Online treatment programs can help you work through mental health conditions and disorders like depression and anxiety. Research shows that online programs are just as effective as face to face programs.

You can use these programs as part of your treatment plan.

Find out more about digital mental health resources on the Medicare Mental Health website.

Other ways to find help

There are other ways you can access professional mental health support services.

Get help at work

Some workplaces offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to employees and their families. EAPs provide free access to independent mental health professionals and mental health resources. Talk to your HR department or manager about how to access your employer’s EAP.

Get help at school

Many education providers offer a free counselling service for students. Talk to your student administration about how to access this service.

Primary Health Networks

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) plan and provide regionally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services at low or no-cost. Find your local PHN through the PHN locator on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Social work services

A social worker can help you with:

• short term counselling
• information
• referrals to support services.

Find out more about social work services on the Services Australia website.