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With messages swimming in our head such as ‘You’ll be right,’ ‘Don’t be a wimp,’ and ‘You’ll get over it,’ we often feel we have to sort mental health issues out on our own or they are just something we have to deal with.
Dr Grant Brecht is a psychologist with more than 35 years’ experience in the industry and disagrees. “If you have a problem with your water, you call a plumber – if you have a problem with your lights, you call an electrician. If you are having problems with your mental health – you should look after it properly and call a psychologist.”
Dr Brecht says it takes an awful lot of strength to seek help when you are not feeling right. He advises that there are some warning signs that you may need psychological assistance.
“If there’s been a change in your wellbeing, if you’re starting to feel down, if you’re anxious or uncertain, if you feel life is a catastrophe waiting to happen or that you are not as good as other people or not coping with your day to day challenges, you may need some help.”
He says that sometimes it’s other people who recognise it before you do.
“You may have people concerned about your wellbeing, they may notice a change in your emotional state – if it lasts for more than a few days, you should seek some help.”
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Your first step is to visit your GP and talk to them about your symptoms. They may refer to you to a psychologist.
You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist however your GP can put together a Mental Health Plan which entitles you to Medicare rebates for up to 10 appointments with some allied mental health services in a year – that means for certain psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.
Once there, Dr Brecht explains that a psychologist will help increase your awareness of what’s happening and why it’s happening.
“They will help you find acceptance of what is happening and help you make sense of it. They can then help you with an action plan. They will be with you and work with you to help you create a solution.”
Psychologists are highly trained and it’s important you find one that suits your needs. For example if you are feeling extremely depressed, you should see a clinical psychologist.
The Australian Psychology Society’s Find a Psychologist service has a database of thousands of APS registered psychologists located around Australia.
Their website will help you find a qualified psychologist. Your GP will also be able to assist in finding you someone to help with your specific symptoms.