Finding a Doctor and Psychologist
Visit Your Doctor
- Discuss your concerns with them. Be open about how you are feeling, so they can assist and support you.
- Your doctor will then discuss treatment options.
- Ask that they write you a Mental Health Treatment Plan so that you can access Medicare rebates under the Australian Governments’ Better Access program (Mental Health Treatment Plan simply means you can gain access to counselling with a rebate from Medicare after visiting your doctor and having a plan written up).
- He/ she may prescribe medication if agreed to in your consultation; however, taking medication is up to you (people often like to try counselling first or try medication with counselling).
Once you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan the doctor can refer you to a mental health professional for support and counselling. You can take the name of a psychologist of your choice or the doctor will generally have a number that they refer to.
What will it cost?
The cost of getting treatment for a mental health condition from a health professional varies. There are Medicare rebates under the Australian Governments’ Better Access program, providing rebates from 75% - 100% for treatment costs once you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
In one calendar year, a person who is eligible can receive up to 10 individual consultations with a mental health professional under their Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Check out the great link below to find a professional in your area:
www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-professional
Government support and financial services
Non-for-profit Victorian Government service providing free, confidential phone financial counselling for Victorians experiencing financial difficulty.
Consumer Action law Centre is a Melbourne-based consumer advocacy and campaigning organisation that provides free and independant legal assistance and financial counselling.
Do i need insurance?
Lifeline
13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
Life line provides crisis support and suicide prevention services nationwide and is accessible 24 hours, seven days per week.
Suicide Call Back
1300 659 467
www.suidecallbackservice.org.au
The Suicide Call Back Service provides free nation-wide professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide.
beyondblue
1300 22 4636
www.beyondblue.org.au
The beyondblue support phone line provides free support and assistance 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Men’s Line Australia
1300 78 99 78
www.menslineaus.org.au
Men’s line provides a free, private and confidential service dedicated to supporting men with family and relationship issues.
Gambling Help Online
www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential online support, self-help tools and information for identifying and dealing with problem gambling Australia-wide.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
www.kidshelp.com.au
Kids Helpline provides free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically for people from five to 25.
Headspace
1800 650 890
www.headspace.org.au
Headspace provides free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families.
Relationship Australia
www.relationships.org.au/
1300 364 277
Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. We aim to support all people in Australia to achieve positive and respectful relationships
Australian Drug Foundation
www.adf.org.au/
1300 85 85 84
Working towards changing the focus of alcohol and drugs through the provision of alcohol and drug information, community programs such as Good Sports, workplace services and policy & advocacy.
Sexual Health Australia
0404 267 559
www.sexualhealthaustralia.com.au/
Sexual Health Australia offers sex therapy, relationship counselling and marriage counselling to individuals and couples with sexual problems, intimacy issues, and relationship difficulties.
Problem Gambling
1800 858 858
www.problemgambling.gov.au/
Many Australians enjoy an occasional bet. However, for some, gambling can be highly destructive.
Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
The Better Health Channel (BHC) provides health and medical information that is quality assured, reliable, up-to-date, easy to understand, regularly reviewed and locally relevant. BHC does not have any advertising or sponsorship and is fully funded by the State Government of Victoria (Australia).
Health Direct Australia
www.healthdirect.gov.au/
1800 022 222
Healthdirect provides a range of free health services on behalf of the governments of Australia