How do I know if I need help for my mental wellbeing?

Sometimes, life can be hard. Relationships can be difficult; illness, work and study stress can get on top of us, and many other factors can affect our mental health. Occasionally, our mental wellbeing just needs a boost. Other times, it can be a challenge to stay on top of our mental health. No matter what the circumstances are, when you are feeling that you are not quite yourself, it’s important to seek support as soon as possible. Many mental health conditions require help to work through, and if you delay seeking help, your problems may get worse.

 

What are the signs of poor mental wellbeing?

 

Everyone experiences reduced mental wellbeing at times, and everyone experiences this differently. However, there are a few common signs that your mental wellbeing is being affected.

  • Feeling sad or down

  • Feeling confused or finding it hard to concentrate

  • Excessive fears, worries, or guilt

  • Extreme mood changes, including excess anger

  • Inability to feel happy

  • Not enjoying activities or spending time with friends as much as usual

  • Feeling detached from family and friends

  • Inability to cope with daily problems or stress

  • Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping

  • Problems with alcohol or drug use

  • Major changes in eating habits

  • Changes in your sex drive

  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

  • Thoughts of harming yourself.

If you, or someone you care about, is experiencing the symptoms of poor mental health, you should seek help as soon as possible.

 

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help immediately.

  • Call 000

  • Attend the Emergency Department at your local hospital

  • Call a 24hr suicide help line:

    • Lifeline – 13 11 14

    • Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467

    • Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800

  • Call the Queensland Health mental health access line – 1300 64 2255

  • Seek help from your local doctor

  • Contact a mental health counselling service

  • Reach out to a close family member or friend.

Where can I get help?

General Practitioner

Your local doctor will assess your mental health and decide what the best approach is to improve your mental wellbeing. Your GP will ask you a series of personal questions and may request that you fill out a standard questionnaire about how you are feeling. Most of these standard questionnaires are very quick and easy to complete. Used together, these can identify a range of mental health issues.

After this assessment, your GP can work with you to write a Mental Health Treatment Plan and refer you to a mental health specialist or other counsellor for support. Under Medicare, a Mental Health Treatment Plan allows you to claim up to ten sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year. Medicare may cover some or all of the costs of your counselling sessions, depending on how much the counsellor charges, and whether or not they bulk bill. If you have private health insurance, you may be able to get some money back for your appointments. You will need to check this information with your insurer.

Mental Health & Other Counselling Services

A range of mental health services are available within your community. However, some require a referral from a GP or other health care professional, or only provide specific services. Please search our Mental Health Care Navigators to see which mental health services you are eligible for in your area.

Navicare

Navicare is a mental health referral service supported by the Navicare Mental Health Care Navigator. When you seek assistance, our Care Navigator will ask a range of questions to determine what supports you require and will then help with the referral process. Where local counselling services are not available, the Care Navigator can assist in setting up Telehealth appointments for you at the Navicare hub located at the Moranbah Youth and Community Centre. The Care Navigator can also assist with connecting you to other support services that you require such as services for housing, employment support, relationship counselling, or disability support services.

The Navicare care navigation service is free of charge.

Contact Navicare by phone or email.

 

National Help Lines & Websites