Talking is
a good first step.
Anxiety, low mood, stress, sleep, grief or just not feeling yourself. Your GP is a confidential place to start, and can organise a mental health treatment plan. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Good to know before you book.
Ask for a longer appointment
Let reception know it is about your mental health. You do not need to give details at the front desk.
A longer appointment gives you time to talk without rushing.
Book a longer appointment (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Confidential, always
What you tell your GP is private and handled in line with our privacy policy.
GPs only share information without consent if there is a serious risk to safety.
Read our privacy policyMedicare rebates for sessions
A mental health treatment plan can give access to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions a year with eligible professionals.
Your GP will review how you are going along the way.
Read about treatment plansTelehealth available
Follow-up appointments can often be done by phone or video.
Useful if getting to the surgery is hard on a bad day.
Book telehealth (opens HotDoc in a new tab)
Find the care that fits.
Choose a topic to see what is involved, the questions people ask most, and how to book.
When worry takes over.
Everyone feels stressed or worried sometimes, but when anxiety is constant, hard to control, or getting in the way of work, sleep or relationships, it is worth talking to your GP. Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, tight chest, stomach upsets and poor sleep are common.
Support can include practical strategies, psychological therapy, online programs and, for some people, medicine. Your GP will talk through the options with you.
- Book an appointment
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
Is what I am feeling normal?
Anxiety is very common. If it is affecting your daily life, it is worth getting support, and it is very treatable.
Do I need a treatment plan to see a psychologist?
Not necessarily, but a plan from your GP can give access to Medicare rebates for sessions.
When low mood does not lift.
Feeling sad, flat, irritable or empty most days for two weeks or more, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, and trouble concentrating can be signs of depression.
Depression is common and treatable. Your GP can assess how you are going, look for physical causes, and work with you on a plan that suits you.
- Book an appointment
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
What if I do not know what to say?
That is okay. Your GP will ask questions to guide the conversation. You can also bring notes.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. A support person is welcome.
Your plan, your goals.
A mental health treatment plan is a written plan that you and your GP put together. It sets out your concerns, your goals and the support that could help. Through the Better Access initiative, a plan can give access to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions each calendar year with eligible mental health professionals, with a GP review along the way.
Mental health professionals set their own fees, and some charge more than the Medicare rebate, so ask about costs before you book. Medicare rules can change, so check the current details with your GP.
- Book a mental health plan
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
How long does a plan appointment take?
Usually a longer appointment. Let reception know it is for a mental health plan.
Can I choose my psychologist?
Yes. Your GP can suggest options, and you can choose a provider that suits you.
Through the hard times.
Poor sleep, grief, relationship breakdown, money worries, work stress and caring for others can all affect mental health. Your GP can help you through, look at sleep and physical health, and connect you with counselling or community support.
Alcohol and other drugs often sit alongside these pressures. Your GP can help without judgement.
- Book an appointment
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
Can you help with sleep problems?
Yes. Your GP will look for causes and talk through practical strategies and options.
Is grief counselling available?
Your GP can refer you to counselling and support services.
The numbers worth knowing.
Key facts about screening and care, at a glance.
10sessions
Medicare-rebated sessions a year
With a mental health treatment plan.
24hours
Lifeline is available
Call 13 11 14, any time.
What is due at your age?
Australia's screening programs start at different ages and run on different timeframes. Move the slider to see what generally applies.
40years
General information about Australian programs, not a personal plan. Talk it through with your GP.
Everyone involved, around you.
Your care can involve more than one person. Choose a part of your care team to see how it fits together.
Your care team
Community support
Peer support, online programs and community services.
Your care team
Crisis lines
Lifeline on 13 11 14, any time.
How getting support works.
- Ask for a longer appointment
- Online or by phone
- No details needed at the desk
- Telehealth may suit
- How you have been feeling
- Sleep, work and home
- A short questionnaire
- Your goals
- Agree on a plan together
- Mental health treatment plan if suitable
- Practical strategies
- Online programs
- Referral to a psychologist
- Community and peer support
- Crisis numbers if needed
- Follow-up booked
- Check in on how it is going
- Adjust the plan
- Further sessions if needed
- Ongoing GP care
GPs with an interest in mental health.
Every GP here can help with mental health. These GPs list it among their interests. All are bulk billing GPs for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Female GP. Mental health, women's health and preventive health.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Mental health and mood disorders, ADHD assessment and management (private fee).
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Background in mental health, emergency medicine and general practice.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)
Make the most of your appointment.
A little preparation gives you and your GP more time for what matters to you.
What to bring
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
What your care will cost.
GP mental health consultations and treatment plans are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Psychologists and other mental health professionals set their own fees, and Medicare rebates may apply under a plan.
Bulk billed
GP consultations
GP consultations and mental health treatment plans, for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Set by the provider
Other providers
Psychologists and other professionals set their own fees. Medicare rebates may apply with a plan.
Private fee
Private services
ADHD assessment and management at Aberdeen Surgery.
If things change between visits.
- Getting worse?(02) 6543 8424Call reception and tell them things have changed, so you can be seen at the right time.
- When we are closed1800 022 222healthdirect, for health advice any time of day or night. Beyond Blue is on 1300 22 4636.
- In an emergency000Thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself or someone else. The nearest emergency departments are at Muswellbrook and Scone hospitals.
Signs that need urgent help
- Thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself or someone else
- Feeling unsafe, or someone you are with is in danger
- Severe distress, confusion, or seeing or hearing things others do not
- If you are worried about someone, stay with them and call 000
Mental health care questions, answered.
If yours is not here, call (02) 6543 8424 and reception will help.
Do I need a referral to see a GP about my mental health?
No. You can book directly. Ask for a longer appointment.
Is it confidential?
Yes. GPs only share information without consent if there is a serious risk to safety.
How many psychology sessions does Medicare cover?
With a mental health treatment plan, Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 individual sessions each calendar year with eligible professionals. Check the current details with your GP.
Is a mental health plan bulk billed?
GP consultations and plans are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
What if I need help right now?
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time, or 000 in an emergency.
Nothing matches that. Try a broader word, or call reception on (02) 6543 8424.
Related reading and services.
- Mental health treatment plansHealth Journal article
- ADHD in adultsHealth Journal article
- ADHD assessmentService
- TelehealthService
- Our teamMeet the GPs
- All services37 services on Segenhoe Street
This page is general health information. It is not advice about your own situation and does not replace a consultation with your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.
You do not have to do it alone.
Book online any hour, or call reception from 8:00am, Monday to Friday. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.