Youthbeyondblue Fact sheet 3

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GETTING HELP FOR DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY

There are times when we all have problems that seem too big to sort out on our own. If youre feeling like this, one of the best things you can do is talk to someone. While its important that you let your friends know how youre feeling, its often best to talk to an adult just because theyre likely to know more about what to do.
WHO CAN HELP
When you know you need help, it can be difficult to decide who to talk to. Sometimes its easier to talk to someone you dont know about whats troubling you. There are many different forms of help available. A counsellor or doctor can help you to understand and work through your feelings. Its important to choose someone who will listen to you, talk with you about how you feel and give you practical help. Seeing a General Practitioner (GP) is a good place to start. GPs are used to recognising and treating common health problems, including depression, alcohol and drug concerns, family hassles and medical issues. They can help you to work out the best ways to cope with how youre feeling and make a plan to get through it. If needed, they can also refer you to people who are experts in treating mental health problems, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. If you have specific concerns that you want to talk through, there are counsellors who specialise in particular issues such as family issues, schooling and careers, alcohol and other drugs, pregnancy and abuse. If you need to talk to someone right away or dont feel ready to see a counsellor or doctor, you could try telephone counselling services, which are available free or the cost of a local call, or online counselling (some numbers and websites are listed on page two of this Fact sheet). If youre hurting yourself or feeling like you want to do so, or if you need urgent medical or psychological help, please contact your doctor or a health professional (such as a counsellor, psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health expert) as soon as you can.

KNOWING WHEN YOU NEED HELP

It can be hard to know if what you feel is normal but if youre feeling sad most of the time and youve lost interest in things you used to like doing, you may need some help to sort things out. Dont bottle up your feelings start by talking to someone you trust, like a family member, school counsellor or your General Practitioner (GP). Why get help? Telling someone whats upsetting you can help you sort through your feelings. Talking to someone can help you put things into perspective and may suggest options you hadnt thought of before. Talking through your concerns can release tension and give you new insights into what is going on. If you have depression, getting the right type of help, and getting it early, can make it much easier for you get back on track.

Visit: Info line:

www.youthbeyondblue.com 1300 22 4636

beyondblue: the national depression initiative

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WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Reaching out for help is often a big step and it may feel weird talking to a complete stranger about whats on your mind.
Your GP will usually ask questions to learn about you and how youre feeling. For example, questions about your general health, your eating, exercise and sleep habits, whether you smoke or drink, how you are thinking and feeling, and how you are getting on at school or work and with your family and friends. This information helps them to work out whats going on and what might be the best way forward. Even if the doctor asks about things that you find embarrassing or uncomfortable, its important to be honest. What you tell the doctor will be kept confidential. Unless the doctor has serious concerns about your safety or the safety of someone else, they wont tell your family that youve had an appointment with them, or anything that happened during your appointment. If youre uncomfortable with the first person you talk to, its okay to try someone else. Some people find it easier to talk to a doctor who is of the same gender, is close to them in age or is not the family doctor.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

Deciding who you want to talk to is the first step. The most important thing is that you find someone you trust and feel comfortable with. There isnt any reason why you cant talk to more than one person about how you are feeling. If you decide to speak to a counsellor or doctor, you can take a friend along with you. To find a doctor or counsellor, ask friends or family, or look at one of the websites listed below. You usually need to make an appointment before you see a doctor or counsellor you dont need to say why. To get a refund from Medicare, take your Medicare card (or number) and any concession card with you and keep your invoice or receipt if they dont bulk bill. Dont be afraid to ask questions or to ask the doctor or counsellor to explain something again. Be honest about your feelings, health and lifestyle so that you get the best possible treatment. Remember that your doctor can only share information about you with anyone else if they believe you or someone else is at risk of serious harm. If youre not comfortable with the counsellor or doctor, its okay to find someone else. Remember, if you need to talk to someone right now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT WILL IT COST?

In Australia, going to a doctor is either free, or part of the cost is paid for you. To go to a community health centre or another doctor, you need to have a Medicare number or card. You can use the number from your family Medicare card or, if you are fifteen or over, apply for a card of your own. Community health centres offer free services, including counselling services. Some doctors and most medical centres bulk bill. This means that you dont have to pay for the service as long as you can give your Medicare number. Some doctors only offer bulk billing to some of their patients, such as health care (Centrelink) card holders. But if your doctor doesnt bulk bill at all, youll be able to get some of the cost back from any Medicare office if you have your doctors invoice or receipt. If you need it, your doctor can give you a treatment plan and a referral for psychological help (both individual and group sessions), with most of the cost covered by Medicare. The beyondblue website www.beyondblue.org.au has a list of doctors who are expert in treating depression and anxiety (click Find a doctor or other mental health practitioner). To find out about services for depression and anxiety which are subsidised under Medicare see beyondblue Fact sheet 24 Help for depression, anxiety and related disorders under Medicare at www.beyondblue.org.au If you want to apply for a Medicare card, application forms are available from Medicare offices, the Medicare website www.medicare.gov.au or by phoning 132 011. Youll need to take the completed form to your local Medicare office, along with some identification such as a drivers licence, a school card or a passport.

MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

You can speak to trained counsellors by phoning these 24-hour telephone counselling services: Lifeline 13 11 14 (cost of a local call) Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 (freecall) Information and support is also available from the following websites: beyondblue www.youthbeyondblue.com or www.beyondblue.org.au Information on depression, anxiety and how to help a friend

headspace www.headspace.org.au Information, support and help near you Reach Out! www.reachout.com.au Information and support for young people going through tough times The websites below can help you to find health services in your area. They list services that are either free of charge or low cost: Kids Help Line www.kidshelp.com.au Lifeline Service Finder www.lifeline.org.au/service_finder If you or a friend want to communicate with someone via email or online, Kids Help Line offers confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SOURCES This fact sheet is based on information from:

beyondblue www.youthbeyondblue.com and www.beyondblue.org.au Reach Out! www.reachout.com.au n Medicare Australia www.medicare.gov.au
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Visit: Info line:

www.youthbeyondblue.com 1300 22 4636

05/09

beyondblue: the national depression initiative