by EK Wills
I recently had a patient lament that the system makes it so difficult to access services to mental health. That comment rings true for many people because there are so many options and so it can be difficult to navigate them.
There is also a misconception that there is one place that fits all because it is ‘mental health’ and that is one ailment. In fact there are many types of mental health issues such as depression, domestic violence, trauma, psychosis: the list is extensive.
So where do you start?
If you are not sure and you really need guidance for a non-acute situation then your GP (general practitioner) is a good first port of call. That is because they will have access to different options depending on your particular situation and you will need to outline it to the GP in order to be referred on.
If it is an acute issue, there are helplines you can access immediately and they will be able to direct you further. The most general of these is the mental health line in NSW.
But there is also a host of other services that are available 24/7 like beyondblue for depression, lifeline for personal safety issues such as suicidality and the kids help line for youths. These access lines provide 24 hour counseling services.
If it is after hours and extremely acute in terms of safety to the person or other people, then your local Emergency Department can also assist.
If you would like to do some research yourself, there is a website called wayaheaddirectory.org.au for all your mental health needs, for free.
The site describes its service as the following:
The WayAhead Directory is a comprehensive online database used to find local services, to make referrals and access mental health information and resources.
It contains up to date information on over 5,600 mental health related and community services primarily in New South Wales.
It is a non-government, community-based organization, funded by the mental health commission of NSW as well as other private agencies, where October is promoted as Mental Health Month.
The theme for this year’s mental health awareness month is Share the Journey (link) which is described as this:
Share the Journey means – telling your friends and family when things are a bit tough – finding others who have been through something similar – connecting with your community – finding a health professional you trust – connecting on social media – giving your pet a cuddle – organizations working together for the best possible well-being of everyone – sharing your stories with others – creating a sense of security within families and communities – reaching out to someone who might need your help - decreasing the isolation people feel when things aren’t great.
Given that there is still much stigma attached to mental illness, this is actually a huge undertaking that many of us would not consider. Maybe with more attention such as this, it will help to make room for more tolerance towards mental health issues and ability to access resources to help.
If you need help with mental health, please consider using one of the resources listed here or contact your local community mental health centre for information.
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