For crisis support call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14
A General Practitioner (GP) is often the first port of call for people seeking help when experiencing mental health concerns.
GPs can make a diagnosis, prescribe medication and/or refer you to other specialists, health professionals and support groups. GPs can also rule out any physical health problems that may be contributing to the way you are feeling. When making an appointment with your GP, it is a good idea to arrange a long consultation so that you have plenty of time to discuss your situation
(Reference: Mental Health Commission WA)
When you have an emotional or mental health concern your GP is a great place to start. They can assess your overall health to make sure there are no physical reasons contributing to the way you are feeling. A GP can also prepare a mental health plan, refer you to the right mental health professional and prescribe appropriate medicines if required.
Why go to see a GP over a concern that you think will eventually pass?
(Reference: Mental Health Foundation)
Your GP can also refer you to mental health services, including psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses or public Mental Health Services (Murrumbidgee Local Health District Services).
It is important to find a doctor with whom you are comfortable being completely open and honest.
A trusting, long-term relationship with a GP is the best way to ensure you receive consistent, quality healthcare throughout your life.
(Reference: Royal Australian Collage of General Practitioners)
The National Health Services Directory (NHSD) provides easy access to reliable and consistent information about health services for everyone. You can find information about health services such as contact details, location, opening hours, wheelchair access and bulk billing services.
Your GP wants you to get the most out of your visit to their practice so you leave with all your questions answered. Use the tips below to make your visit a success:
(Reference: Royal Australian Collage of General Practitioners)
Black Dog Institute – Finding a Mental Health Friendly Doctor
mindhealthconnect – Talking to your doctor (GP) about mental health
Everyone’s treatment needs are different. Your GP will assess whether the preparation of a Mental Health Treatment Plan is appropriate for you.
When developing a Mental Health Treatment Plan your GP will first assess your presenting concerns, relevant history, assess risk and complete an assessment tool by asking a series of questions. They will then work with you to document your needs, goals, treatment, referrals and relapse prevention plan.
Once you have identified an appropriate mental health professional, contact them directly for any questions about their practice, fees and appointments.
Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network commissions a range of free services across the Murrumbidgee district to assist in improving the mental health of people that would otherwise have little or no access to mental health services, such as Better Access (Medicare).
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with at least 11 years of training – usually more.
They first do a medical degree at university. Next they spend at least 1 or 2 years training as a general doctor.
They then complete at least 5 years training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
(Reference: The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists)
Psychiatrists can provide a wide range of treatments, according to the particular problem and what will work best for you and your situation. These include:
Psychiatrists tend to treat people who need their medical, psychological and social needs considered.
These are usually people with complex conditions, for example:
Someone who has attempted suicide or has suicidal thoughts will usually be seen by a psychiatrist.
(Reference: The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists)
As with all medical specialists, to see a psychiatrist you will need a referral from your GP.
To access an online directory of Psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand, see: Your Health in Mind – Find a Psychiatrist
To get the most out of your visit to a psychiatrist so you leave with all your questions answered. Use the tips below to make your visit a success:
Psychologists are tertiary qualified mental health professionals who must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Psychologists have a minimum of six years of university training and supervised experience. Psychologists provide assessment and therapy to help people overcome a range of difficulties.
A psychologist could help you lead a happier, more meaningful life. Psychologists provide their expertise by assessing and diagnosing a range of problems, developing strategies and treatments, and offering guidance and support.
Psychologists provide these services in a wide range of public and private settings, including health, mental health, disability, family services, community, schools, corporate and business, education, sport and the performing arts.
(Reference: Australian Psychological Society)
There are many reasons why you might see a psychologist. For example, you might be experiencing anxiety, depression, stressful life events or any other mental health difficulty. You might not even know what’s going on, but just feel that you haven’t been ‘right’ or that your life has become more difficult. A psychologist is trained to perform a detailed assessment of your mental health and to identify what’s going on for you.
No matter what your reason for seeking help, it’s important to find a psychologist you can connect with and trust. You may have to meet a few before you find one that clicks for you.
(Reference: Reach Out)
The best place to start is with your GP, who can provide you with a Mental Health Treatment Plan and refer you to a psychologist. Your GP should know of some psychologists in your area, or may recommend that you ring a psychology clinic directly for more information about making an appointment. By getting a referral from your GP, at least some, if not all, of your costs should be covered by Medicare under the Better Access initiative or Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network mental health services – see your GP to find out if you’re are eligible.
(Reference: Reach Out)
To access an online directory of Psychologists, see: Find a Psychologist
The first time you visit any psychologist they should always talk to you about confidentiality, which is your right to privacy, and basically means that anything you discuss with them will remain private between the two of you.
The next thing a psychologist will do is complete an assessment of your mental health, by asking you a series of questions about what’s happening in your life, as well as asking for details about your background, family life and personal history. The assessment is an important first step, as it will help your psychologist understand what’s troubling you and, more importantly, how to help you. They’ll discuss with you a plan for continuing, including how often they recommend you visit them, and for how long.
Normally, they will recommend that you visit them weekly or fortnightly for a period of time. The length of time for your treatment can vary from a few weeks to many months, depending on what you need. An appointment usually lasts about 50 minutes but can sometimes go for longer.
(Reference: Reach Out)
Australian Psychological Society – Find a Psychologist
Department of Health – Better Access – Fact Sheet
Reach Out – Psychologists
Mental health nurses are registered nurses who have specialist qualifications in mental health. They work with psychiatrists and general practitioners to monitor a person’s mental state, manage medication and improve links to other health professionals. These services are provided in a range of settings, such as clinics or in a person’s home. Mental Health Nurses must be registered with the NSW Nurses Board.
(Mental Health Commission WA)
Mental health nurses might have also completed further study in mental health recognised by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
A Mental Health Nurse can provide therapeutic interventions and treatment to support social, physical and mental health, including: Medication education and management, being a liaison point between GPs and psychiatrists, monitoring mood, and providing counselling to manage and contain psychological distress.
(Reference: Australian College of Mental Health Nurses)
The mental health nurse can:
(Reference: mindhealthconnect)
Ask your GP or Psychiatrist for a referral or to find out if you are eligible for Murrumbidgee PHNs Team Care Service.
There are other allied health professionals that help people with mental health concerns. Two of the most common include Social Workers and Occupational Therapists.
Mental Health Social Workers help individuals to resolve psychological difficulties, and the associated social and other environmental problems, and improve their quality of life. Social workers recognise the broader implications on an individual living with a mental illness and the impact on friends, family, work and education (Reference: Australian Association of Social Workers).
Occupational Therapists assess and treat people who, due to illness or injury are limited in their ability to undertake everyday activities. They assist people to regain lost functions, develop their abilities and social skills, as well as maintain and promote independence in their everyday lives to enhance health and wellbeing (Reference: Occupational Therapy Australia).
A Social Worker can provide therapy, casework, advocacy, mediation or group-work to individuals, couples, or families to address difficulties associated with mental illness. They also provide people with information about services that can assist them (Reference:jobs guide).
An Occupational Therapist can conduct tests to assess functional, psychological, and physical capabilities, plan therapeutic programmes for individuals and design activities that improve an affected function, and help individuals to regain personal care skills and assist people to gain or regain skills in social, leisure and work environments through graded individual or group therapy and activity programmes (Reference: jobs guide).
Ask your GP for a referral or to access a directory see below:
Australian Association of Social Workers – Find a Social Worker
Occupational Therapy Australia – Find a Private Practice OT
Drug and Alcohol Workers are qualified health professionals from different professional backgrounds with relevant clinical experience in a drug and alcohol treatment setting. They may have trained as a social worker, psychologist, nurse, occupational therapist or other profession relevant to the drug and alcohol field.
Drug and Alcohol Workers provide a range of services to people (and their partners, families and carers) whose physical and or mental health and personal and social functioning is at risk due to substance use.
Drug and Alcohol Workers can:
Consumer Peer Workers are individuals with a lived experience of mental illness and/or substance dependency and recovery. They are employed by a service to promote wellness, provide advocacy and support to consumers, and to reduce the stigma and discrimination in services and in the community.
Many Consumer Peer Workers have a qualification or have completed training in their area of speciality. For example, Mental Health Consumer Peer Workers may have completed a Certificate IV qualification in Mental Health Peer Work.
Consumer Peer Workers are able to support people they are working with by offering personal encouragement, empathy, hope, consideration, respect and empowerment from the vantage point of a person who has experienced mental illness or substance use issues.
Consumer Peer Workers can:
View all listings in the directory and filter by category
View all listingsMapMyRecovery lists services available to the community. You can also speak to your GP or a mental health professional for support.
Head to Health is a national service website with more than 500 digital resources to support your wellbeing and mental health.
Visit Head to HealthMurrumbidgee Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Alliance have worked to develop MapMyRecovery, a free resource providing mental health information specific to the Murrumbidgee region. This includes the local government areas of: Berrigan, Bland, Carrathool, Coolamon, Edward River, Federation, Greater Hume, Griffith, Gundagai, Hay, Hilltops, Junee, Lachlan, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora and Wagga Wagga.