MENTAL HEALTH STATION DIRECTORY & RESOURCES

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• GENERAL PRACTITIONERS: Your local General Practitioner is a good place to start. It helps to establish a good working relationship with a GP who knows you over time. GPs help by providing initial assessment, any medical treatment needed or referral to mental health specialists. You can locate a GP through the Healthy WA General Practice Map  (This needs permission to access your location).  Alternatively you can search for a GP by postcode via Health Direct .  Let your GP know if your feeling anxious or depressed, you can ask for a longer session. As well as refer GP's can provide support and advice, prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan, prescribe medications for you, keep track of your physical health and any side effects of medication, follow up after you’ve finished seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist. Some GP's also offer talking therapies.
• PSYCHOLOGISTS: Psychologists specialise in talking therapies. It’s possible to see a psychologist without a referral. When you ask your GP for a referral as part of a Mental Health Treatment Plan Medicare will then cover some or all of the cost. (See below for more information on the Better Access Initiative.) Here is the 'Find a Psychologist' Search Engine for the Australian Psychological Society 
• PSYCHIATRISTS: Psychiatrists "are medical doctors who are experts in mental health. They specialise in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness." (RANZCP). For more on what Psychiatrists  do visit this RANZCP page. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' Find a Psychiatrist directory lists consultant psychiatrists in private practice in Australia. You need a referral from your GP or another medical doctor to see a private psychiatrist.
• COUNSELLORS: You don't need any special qualifications or training to be a counsellor in Australia, most do have qualifications and training. Here is a search link to the Australian Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists  ARCP REGISTER. You can also search through the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Counsellors can listen and talk with you about life issues and help you to problem solve. Counsellors help with relationships, grief, anxiety, depression and give emotional support. Look at the training and specialities of each counsellor to see if they are a fit for your needs. For example where you are seeking support for trauma ensure your counsellor is specifically trained in this area.

"The Better Access Initiative gives Medicare rebates to help people access mental health professionals and care, regardless of where they live." Visit the Health Department Website for more information on eligibility and Mental Health Treatment Plans. "Support is available from eligible general practitioners (GPs) and other medical practitioners, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists." 

NEWS: "Extra support during the COVID-19 pandemic

Extra support is available until 30 June 2022 for people who have a mental health treatment plan in place. People experiencing severe or enduring mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic can access an extra 10 sessions." https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/better-access-initiative