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Support Services for Depression and Anxiety

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Support services for depression and anxiety | Depression | ReachOut Australia

If you are experiencing depression and/or anxiety and wondering where to get help, remember that you don’t have to deal with this on your own. However, finding support that meets your particular needs can be confusing and overwhelming. Here are some mental health professionals who might be able to help:

GPs

Your local GP will help you to understand what’s going on for you in regard to your mental health. GPs are trained to be the first point of contact to help you figure out how to address mental health concerns. They’ll work with you to understand the problem, rule out physical causes, and refer you to other help if necessary. Your GP might suggest a mental health care plan, which is essentially a document that says what you and your doctor have agreed is your goal in seeking support. A mental health care plan guarantees you ten sessions with a mental health professional that will be subsidised by Medicare.

Psychologists and psychiatrists

Psychologists and psychiatrists are mental health professionals, often referred to by a GP. Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental health, and are able to prescribe medication where necessary. Psychologists have specialised training in diagnosing, treating and preventing mental health disorders, but don’t write prescriptions.

Depression and anxiety support services

Several online, research-based and community-led organisations exist that provide information about and access to tools to assist with depression and anxiety. Some of these are:

• Headspace 
  This Australia-wide government organisation provides mental health support that can help you with depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. They provide free online and phone counselling and have treatment centres located all around Australia that you can visit.

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
  Kids Helpline is a support service for young people aged 5–25. They provide free online and phone counselling and are available 24/7. You can also request the same counsellor every time.

• Black Dog Institute
  This research and treatment facility specialises in mental health, including depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Their website has information about mental health issues, including self-tests and suggestions for what you can do right now.

• Beyond Blue Free phone support (1300 22 4636).
  Provides information on depression and anxiety, including symptom checklists and details of additional support services.

• Lifeline: 
  Lifeline’s online chat counselling service is available seven days a week, 7 pm–4 am, AEST. Telephone counselling is available 24/7 (13 11 14).

If you or someone around you is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to an emergency department.

Remember, getting help earlier can reduce the impact on other aspects of your life and improve your recovery.