Mental Health and Where to Get Support

Mental Health Support

The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2021) says that mental health is important to a persons overall health and well-being. Ideally, feeling well enough to handle everyday stress, use your abilities to learn, work, study, connect with family, friends and take part in your local and the wider communities is an indicative of good mental health! So mental health can affect many parts of a person's life and their overall ability to thrive. 

People are becoming more aware of how important our mental health is.  In the past, the topic was often avoided or seen as embarrassing, but now is talked about more in the media, at work, and in the community.  Even so, many people still find it hard to deal with mental health issues as in the past it was either avoided, seen as embarrassing and a sign of weakness.

So how does a mental health issue arise?

Someone might not notice that their mood is getting lower over time.  Changes happen gradually. The person might start to believe that feeling this way is normal. They may not ask for help until things become serious, which means they miss the opportunity to prevent some of the issues developing or get treatment sooner.

Another challenge may be that people find it hard to talk about their mental health and well-being and think they should be able to cope and fix things on their own. They may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable sharing their feelings and thoughts with others for fear they will be judged or rejected. For some people social and cultural issues can influence this.

A third issue is that many people may not know about the different types of support available and how to access them.  There are many services, both public and private that can help with mental health and well-being including seeing a GP as a starting point.

Helplines

For mental health situations that are not emergencies, it maybe best to start with a simple easy option such as calling a helpline. The 1800 HERE4U (1800 437348) is for anyone concerned about their own or another persons' AOD and mental health issues. Calling the helpline can be helpful for several reasons:

  • Talking on the phone can give people a sense of privacy and confidentiality which can make it easier for them to open up about.
  • Talking about your feelings and thoughts can help you feel calmer.
  • Counsellors at 1800 HERE4U focus on practical, solution-based support and help callers think about small, positive steps they can take to manage their situation.
  • People can call the service as often as they need to support themselves.

GPs

Another common way to get help for mental health concerns is to see a General Practitioner (GP).  In Australia, GPs are usually the first health professionals people visit for most problems that aren't emergencies.

Ideally, it's best to see a GP who is understanding, supportive and knowledgeable about mental health.  Not all GPs have the same level of experience or interest in this area.  Some may not have much training in mental health, or they might hold beliefs that affect how they assess and support patients.  If someone feels their GP isn't the right fit, they are always free to see a different GP.

Through Medicare, a GP can create a Mental Health Care Plan.  This might include prescribing medication or referring someone to a psychologist or psychiatrist. GPs can also suggest lifestyle changes and other services that might help.

Psychiatrists and Psychologists

It is still common for people to be confused about the distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists. While both deal with mental health issues it is important to understand the difference since it determines the type of support offered.

Psychiatrists are practitioners who have trained and qualified as medical doctors and then specialised in the field of mental health. People in the community can usually only see a psychiatrist with a referral from a GP (or by presenting to ED, where they may be assessed by a psychiatrist if having a mental health crisis). People generally seek referral to a psychiatrist if requiring specialist treatment for their mental health concerns, and this almost always will involve psychiatric medications. People who believe they may have ADHD/ADD have to be assessed by a psychiatrist if they wish to access medications for this diagnosis.

Psychologists are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medications. They are registered practitioners who have completed a psychology degree as well as post-graduate studies. They offer the possibility of speaking to a highly trained health professional about mental health concerns and developing strategies to manage these conditions. There are a variety of different categories of psychologist, but most people seeking help with mental health issues would see either a clinical or counselling psychologist.

Anyone can see a Psychologist without a doctor’s referral. Practitioners can be located on the Australian Psychological Society (APS) website and approached directly by the client. However, any referral made by a GP to a psychologist under a Mental Health Care Plan qualifies for subsidised Medicare services, though there may still be a gap payment due. This can make seeing a psychologist more affordable.

Community Mental Health Clinics

Across Western Australia, there are Community Mental Health clinics that support people with mental health concerns.  Many of these clinics offer a triage service during office hours, where staff can talk with people, understand what's going on, and help them decide what to do next. However, if someone is experiencing a serious or urgent mental health crisis, it is usually better for them to go straight to their local hospital Emergency Department.

Drop in services

Medicare Mental Health Centres (previously Head to Health) offer five free face-to-face support services.  The services are confidential and often a safe environment to seek support.

Parent and Family Support Volunteers

There is increasing awareness that people with lived experience of mental health challenges can make a valuable contribution within mental health services. Parent and Family Support Volunteers are nowadays found working in many inpatient settings to support people with mental health issues, and there are also services in the community that utilise this lived experience. These include:

Internet based resources

There are many different options available online offering a variety of services including information and resources, discussion and support forums, and live chat. Some of the available options in Western Australia and Australia wide are:



Page last updated11 February 2026

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The Mental Health Commission welcomes people from all backgrounds including those with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+SB community.