Support from health professionals
Some issues are too big to deal with on your own – and the good news is that you don’t have to.
If your family needs support for anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions, a range of health professionals are available to help. Many health professionals treat people of all ages, while some services specialise in supporting children and young people. Your health professional can help you find the right combination of treatments that’s right for you and your family.
The most important thing is to talk to a health professional about getting the right mix of treatments for you.
Finding a health professional
Your GP is often a good starting point when someone in your family needs help, especially if you’re not quite sure what’s going on. A GP can talk about what’s happening and the options for treatment and support. Depending on the situation, the GP might provide ongoing care or suggest that another mental health professional or support service get involved.
Mental health professionals can be accessed through your GP, community health centre, public mental health services, headspace centres and private health clinics.
You can also get advice from an LGBTI service such as QLife or find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation through state and territory organisations.
Transcultural mental health centres, migrant resource centres and ethnic community councils can also offer support for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Types of treatment
Mental health conditions can be treated effectively, and just like physical conditions, they can be managed. It’s important to seek support for yourself or your family as early as you can, as mental health conditions generally don’t go away on their own.
Most people with anxiety or depression benefit from one or a combination of the following:
Getting help – how much does it cost?
Many mental health services are either free or paid for partly by the government under Medicare.
To receive free services under Medicare for anxiety and depression, you'll need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a doctor. A Mental Health Treatment Plan outlines what treatment is required and why, the number of sessions available, and who you can see for ongoing care.
When contacting a health professional, it’s important to confirm what is covered by Medicare – what services and how many sessions. Some services may charge fees on top of the Medicare benefit but may offer a discount for health care card holders or for those with special circumstances. Some services are also covered by private health insurance.
By discussing fees when you first contact the heath professional, you can be clear on the costs involved.