Professional help

Mental health professionals have trained for years to help people with all sorts of different problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. When you're going through a tough situation, it helps to have someone in your corner who knows what to do. Find out what types of assistance are available and how to access the right one for you.

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What are mental health issues?

Learn what mental health issues are, what causes mental illness and common signs of mental health issues.

Q&A: What's it like to see a therapist?

Bryden and Nasalifya sit down to answer your questions about what it’s like to see a therapist.

How to get professional help if you don't have much money

Getting professional support doesn't have to cost lots of money. Here are some free and affordable ways you can get help.

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Types of mental health professionals

Learn about the differences between mental health professionals such as doctors, counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, youth workers, social workers, occupational therapists, peer workers and mental health nurses.

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5 tips for choosing the right mental health professional

Read on for a few practical steps to help you choose the right mental health professional for you.

What can you do if nothing is working?

It can be tricky to find the right kind of help for your mental health. If things aren't working, here are some next options you can consider.

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Telehealth and more – getting psychological help online

If you’re from a regional, remote or rural area and you’re looking for professional help, telehealth might be useful.

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Types of therapy: CBT, ACT, DBT and IFS

Learn about different types of therapy such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Getting and using a mental health care plan

We’ll help you figure out if speaking to your GP about a mental health care plan is the right move for you, and what to expect once you have one.

How age affects confidentiality

Confidentiality is an important concept in health care. Most of what you tell a doctor is confidential, but your age could affect how this works.

Confidentiality and healthcare

Most of what you say to health workers is confidential, and your confidentiality is a high priority in regards to your health-care rights.

What happens when I call a helpline?

Take some of the fear of the unknown away by finding out what happens when you call a helpline.

How Jasmine dealt with anxiety and depression in high school

Jasmine shares how she managed her anxiety and depression while she was in high school, through tools and help including ReachOut.

What are your healthcare rights?

Health consumers have legal rights in Australia. Consent and treatment are particularly important areas where your health-care rights need to be respected.

What do counsellors do?

Counsellors are health professionals who talk to you about issues in your life, and help solve them. There are different types of counsellors, with different approaches.

How to call a helpline

Calling a helpline is an accessible way to get the support you need. Learn more about what to expect when contacting a helpline and the kinds of help they can provide.

What does a psychiatrist do?

Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental health. They can prescribe medication and provide psychological therapy. A GP can give you a referral to see one.

How Bella managed depression living in a rural town

Bella shares her experience using the internet to cope with depression and anxiety while living in a rural town.

What do psychologists do?

Psychologists are mental health experts who provide psychological therapy to help people overcome a range of difficulties.

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What do GPs do?

GPs, or ‘general practitioners’, are doctors trained to deal with all types of problems.

How getting help made Summer feel less alone

Summer tells of some mental health challenges she has dealt with, and how getting help made her feel less alone.

Support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

If you’re going through a tough time as an Indigenous person, here’s a list of places where you can talk to someone who will understand what you’re going through.

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What do social workers do?

Social workers help communities, families and individuals in many different ways. Find out here how to contact a social worker when you need support.

What do youth workers do?

Youth workers are your one-stop-shop for figuring out your life.

Medication

In some cases, medication prescribed by a GP or a psychiatrist can help with mental health issues.

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Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy used to address different kinds of mental health issues.

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How Zac saw a psychologist for anxiety and depression

Have a listen to this audio story where we follow Zac through his experiences with anxiety and depression, and professional help.

How Jordan manages her Borderline Personality Disorder

Jordan shares her mental health story and talks about how ReachOut has helped her to manage her Borderline Personality Disorder.