Help - what's available and where?
There are a number of different medical professionals that can help, including a General Practitioner (GP), Community Health workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists, information services and other professional organisations. More detail on the services that each of these professionals provide is listed below, as well as information on low cost options.
Medical Professionals
General Practitioners - GPs are usually the first port of call for a whole range of problems. A GP may want to do a general check-up to see whether there are any physical causes for the problem. If treatment is required, GPs may make a referral to a specialist or provide it themselves. Treatment may include prescribing medication, suggesting counselling or referral to a psychologist.
Community Health Workers often work in local Community Health Centres (you can find local Community Health Workers in the White Pages). They may be social workers, occupational therapists or mental health nurses. They are able to help people deal with a range of problems. Some Community Health Centres run group programs to learn to deal with stress, anxiety and other problems.
Psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental health problems. After completing a medical degree they undertake further specialist training in psychiatry. Like GPs, psychiatrists can prescribe medication and provide physical treatment. They may also offer psychotherapy (which involves the psychiatrist and patient discussing problems during regular appointments). Psychiatrists work in the public health system, through hospitals, clinics and community mental health service, and in private practice.
In order to claim the Medicare rebate a letter of referral by a GP is required to visit a psychiatrist.
Psychologists are trained to help people deal with a range of problems by using a number of different non-medical treatments, especially counselling. Counselling is often used alongside medication prescribed by a doctor. Psychologists and counsellors can help relieve stress, deal with relationship conflicts, understand mental health issues and problems and help you find better ways to deal with them. Some psychologists can provide services under medicare if a mental health problem has been diagnosed by a doctor and a medical referral has been given. Ask your local doctor or check with the Australian Psychological Society (phone: 1800 333 497).
Counsellors and Psychotherapists are trained to work with a broad range of problems. They provide support and work with you to deal with problems. Different counsellors and psychotherapists use different approaches so it may be important for your mate to find out about the approach the counsellor will use. To locate a counsellor in your area go to: http://www.pacfa.org.au/pacfa_find_therapist.html or http://www.theaca.net.au/find_coun/
Some ministers, priests or religious leaders have training in pastoral counselling and will often work together with psychologists, doctors or other health care workers to provide you with the best support and help. This option may be particularly important if you want to talk about spiritual or faith matters.
Low cost options: accessing low cost psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists
Non-government welfare agencies and Community Health Centres may be able to provide low cost or means tested access to these services. You can find these at:
What if the doctor or therapist isn't working for me or my mate?
If you or your mate is not comfortable with any of the health professionals you are seeing, find one you do feel comfortable with. All health professionals should be willing to refer their clients to another professional if the treatment they are offering is not sufficient.
24/7 Support
There are several services that provide 24/7 support. Click here to find further information.
Lifeline 13 11 14 provides a 24 hour 7 day a week telephone counselling service throughout Australia. For the cost of a local call, you or your mate, can speak anonymously to a trained telephone counsellor who will help explore the problem and look at possible ways forward.
