Getting support

Don’t suffer alone. There are many mental health support options available, depending on your needs - whether it’s for you or a loved one. You don’t need to wait until you feel worse, and there is plenty of choice so you can find something that works best for you.

Places to start:

• Seeing your GP is the first step to an initial mental health assessment, and for the formation of a mental health treatment plan. A mental health treatment plan gives you up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional, which are eligible for Medicare rebates each calendar year. Your GP may also prescribe medical treatment. See the National Health Service’s directory if you’d like help to find a GP near you.
• If you or your loved one is of school age, speak with a school counsellor, chaplain or a teacher about problems that might be affecting you. Many are trained to provide mental health support and can help you find additional support if needed.
• Occupational Therapists help people who are injured, ill or who have a disability, through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Occupational Therapy Australia’s (OTA) Find an Occupational Therapist directory lists occupational therapists working in private practice settings who are OTA members.
• The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) has a directory of AASW accredited members, including accredited mental health social workers.
• You can get a referral to a psychologist to support your mental health condition. Find a psychologist is a search tool to find a mental health professional from the Australian Psychological Society. Selected Health Partners Extras covers include benefits on psychology. Annual limits and waiting periods apply, refer to your individual cover details or contact us.
• Psychiatric services can be found through the The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' Find a Psychiatrist directory. The list contains consultant psychiatrists in private practice in Australia.
• Hospital services are covered on Health Partners Gold Hospital covers, including benefits on in-hospital admissions as a private patient. Annual limits and waiting periods apply, refer to your individual cover details.
  

Online resources

Other support services

These directories are not managed or endorsed by Health Partners, and is not an exhaustive list.