Mental Health Check-In: When to Seek Support
Mental health changes can look different in children, teenagers and adults. Here is what to watch for, how your GP can help, and where to turn for urgent support.
Mental health changes can look different in children, teenagers and adults, from pulling away and disrupted sleep to feeling flat or constantly on edge. You do not need to be in crisis to see a GP. Your GP can listen, talk through your options and, if suitable, discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Sometimes you notice something has changed before the person has the words to explain it. This guide covers what to look out for in kids, teens and adults, how work can play a part, and how the team at Family Medical Practices can help.
How common are mental health concerns in Australia?
More common than many people realise. The ABS National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that 21.5% of Australians aged 16 to 85 had experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, rising to 38.8% among 16 to 24 year olds (2020 to 2022).
For younger children, the most recent national child survey (Young Minds Matter, 2013 to 2014) found that about one in seven children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 (13.9%) had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months.
Reaching out matters too. Fewer than half (46.6%) of adults with a 12-month mental disorder consulted a health professional in the 2020 to 2022 study.
What are the signs a child or teenager may be struggling?
These changes do not always mean something is wrong, but they are worth paying attention to:
- Pulling away. Spending less time with friends, or losing interest in things they usually enjoy.
- A changed routine. Sleeping more or less than usual, or changes in appetite.
- Bigger reactions. More frequent meltdowns, frustration or shutting down.
- School or physical complaints. Avoiding school, or frequent headaches and tummy aches with no clear cause.
Regular, relaxed chats can make it easier for kids to open up. Try raising things in the car or while doing something together, ask open questions, and listen before offering solutions. If the concern is around attention, focus or behaviour, our ADHD and neurodivergent-friendly GP care service may also be relevant.
You do not need to work out what is going on before you make an appointment. Tell us what you have noticed and we will take it from there.
What are the signs of mental health struggles in adults?
Looking after everyone else can make it easy to overlook yourself. Common signs that it may be time to talk include:
- Feeling flat for a while, with low mood that does not seem to lift
- Sleep that feels out of sync, such as trouble falling asleep, waking often or sleeping much more than usual
- Activities you normally enjoy starting to feel like effort
- Feeling constantly tired, overwhelmed or on edge
How can work affect your mental health?
Work is a big part of life, and ongoing pressure can affect how you feel. Signs worth raising with your GP include dreading the working week, struggling to concentrate, feeling irritable, or finding it hard to switch off in the evenings.
Your GP can talk through how work is affecting your wellbeing, look at what else may be contributing, and discuss your options. You do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable.
How can a GP help with mental health?
Your GP can listen, ask about what you have been experiencing and talk through the options that may suit you. Depending on your situation, that could include lifestyle strategies, talking therapies, medication, referral to other professionals, or a combination.
If you are eligible, your GP may also prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Under the Better Access initiative, eligible patients can claim a Medicare benefit for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year, and a plan is required to access those benefits. The Medicare benefit does not always cover the full fee, so you may have a gap to pay. Your GP can talk you through whether a plan may suit you.
You can book a longer appointment if you would like more time. Our General Services page has more on what our GPs can help with.
Where can you get urgent mental health support?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. For support at any time:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline (ages 5 to 25): 1800 55 1800
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Book a mental health appointment with FMP
Something on your mind? We are here to listen. Book at Kirrawee, Woolooware or Kurnell.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan to see a psychologist?
No. You can see a psychologist privately without one. A plan from your GP is what allows eligible patients to claim Medicare benefits under Better Access.
How do I know if it is more than a rough patch?
There is no single test. Changes that last for weeks, or that affect your sleep, work, relationships or enjoyment of life, are worth talking about with your GP.
How can I talk to my child about how they are feeling?
Choose a relaxed moment, ask open questions, listen without rushing to fix things, and check in again in a few days. One chat is a start, not the whole answer.
What should I tell my GP at a mental health appointment?
Share what you have noticed, how long it has been going on, and how it affects daily life. You do not need to have the right words or a clear picture of what is happening.
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please speak with your GP before making any changes to your health care.
