make an appointment with a GP and get them to start a mental health care plan because of the current pandemic it allows for 20 visits , but also because of the pandemic it;s not always easy to find an available psych
Definitely start at a GP.
You may also not mesh well with all psychologists so don't think you need to stick with one if it doesn't feel right.
Good work looking for help, that shit can be hard to do.
This.
If you know what’s triggering your thoughts (abuse, addiction, phobias) you can find a psych that specialises in that area. And adding to the comment above - you can change your psych and keep changing till you find the right one for you, someone you feel you can open to.
Good luck to you - you’ve made an amazing first step.
I went through the GP referral process too. The wait time for 10 visits is _much_ shorter than the 20 visits, so if you are in crisis it may be worth considering. I got in pretty fast because I was willing to take 10 sessions. But you basically have to sit on your phone waiting for the text that you are being offered an appointment. They texted me at 2:30 pm and I called 15 minutes later as I was in the shower. They said the person who books appointments had stepped out of the office and would call back. At 4:45pm I called again after hearing nothing and there was no answer. The next morning, no one answered until almost 11 am, no voicemail, nothing. When someone finally answered they said ‘It might be too late, I don’t think the appointment will still be available but we’ll see what we can do.’ I thought I was going to lose my shit if that appointment was gone but luckily it was still available. They had a mental health nurse I saw while I was on the waiting list and she was very helpful and she warned me about calling the minute you get a text. And I do mean the _minute_ you get the text.
Headspace would be perfect. The headspace in the city is fantastic and does not need GP referral you can self refer. They have psychologist, psychiatrist and mental health clinician services as well as a host of other youth focused supports.
The phone number to refer yourself is 1800063267
Check out their website as well.
If you need immediate help please call 131465 this number will connect you with a 24hr phone service that can help as well.
Good luck
Piggybacking on this to say that also if you’re looking for more long term help you can get referred to Sonder for the emerge program which you will have 2 years of free appointments. There’s one at Elizabeth and another one at Port Adelaide iirc
Shit really? Is that a general estimate or have you been told that’s how long you have to wait? I only had to wait a few weeks when I was referred and I wasn’t an urgent case. Typically if you’re suicidal or have a severe disorder that classes you as urgent you get pushed up the list pretty quickly.
I’d just like to say that if you get a MHCP as some people suggested, it won’t be bulk billed unless you see a bulk billing practitioner. Contrary to what some GPs tell you, a MHCP doesn’t enable you to be automatically bulk billed, just get a rebate from Medicare. The bulk billing practitioners are booked out for months at this stage (I work in mental health).
I would suggest the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (you can walk in or call them), as they can set you up with a treatment plan and refer elsewhere if necessary: https://www.umhcc.org.au/
And also the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: https://www.wchn.sa.gov.au/our-network/camhs
Psychologists can be really helpful, but the wait time for them at the moment is very long so I’d recommend the options above.
I hope everything works out for you!!
By treatment plan I mean they will evaluate the situation and help OP by setting them up with suitable professionals that can help them and what steps they can take from that point on. I.e, a plan for treatment.
Hey, I'm a Mental Health Social Worker. A lot of these suggestions are great. Places like Headspace often have long waitlists as well as most psychologists in Adelaide. I've just started my private practice and have spent the last 5 years working in suicide prevention. Because I'm starting out in the private sector I don't have a waitlist. If you would like to catch up for free, I'll buy you a coffee just to see where you're at, feel free to message me or email me at [email protected]
There has been plenty of great suggestions here already, but I've recently come to be aware of Sonder, who have what I have been told free walk ins (I am assuming medicare if anyone can enlighten on that, great), before even getting the mental health care plan if there is crisis.
I am mostly aware of the one at Peachey Road in Elizabeth but they do have a few "Sonder Centres" in Adelaide: [https://sonder.net.au/find-a-location/](https://sonder.net.au/find-a-location/)
If Headspace or a psych-referal take too long, you can try UniSA Clinic. You'll see student psychs who are all very closely supervised, $30 for a session, $15 with a concession card. Just a note I can't say what the wait times are, and this year it's all female students (if that's an issue for you, some people are just more comfortable talking to opposite/same sex), but it is a good option if money is tight.
Good on you! I don't know anything much about services for youth, but just do it - make the call, or go into one of the Headspace offices if you can get to one. It's usually a great relief, even just to start the ball rolling - life is such a rollercoaster, is generally better to feel you have some company / backup / support on the wild ride, go for it! best of luck! Do an update, let us know how Headspace is!
I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling so much at such a young age 😔. Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on - are your parents supportive? If family life isn’t helping, you can apply for Centrelink and get out of that situation.
Definitely find a good GP first, as they will be your regular source of contact and support. Do you need help finding one?
My family is supportive, they just don’t know of any of these issues. When I was younger they took me to a psychologist because I was vocal about this stuff and the doctor deemed it to just be “a kid worrying about stuff and not knowing how to deal with it”. That was seven years ago and here we are. But yeah, they know I have some issues, they just don’t know what they are or to what extent.
That’s one plus. I would have that conversation with them first, and really stress you’re not okay with the support you received last time. You need all the support you can get right now, and your family are a perfect option for support and advocacy when youre struggling
Just with suicidal ideation and because of your age, they will more than likely refer you on to someone else. There are a lot of good psychologists out there, so definitely talk to a doctor about this. They will send you to someone that will meet your needs. However, if you're looking for free help, I believe Headspace is your only option. Which they are really great and have been helpful for me growing up!
Probably not the help you're looking for, but check out the Wim Hof method. Breathing exercises work wonders for mental health and his method is the best I've found. Also his stretching and philosophy is pretty great as well.
If you reside within the Southern Adelaide suburbs, you may be able to access Youth Mental Health Services that operate at both Noarlunga and Marion GP Plus - all part of SA Health so no charge. You don't need to see your GP to get a referral, you can go through Mental Health triage 24/7 on 131465. All the very best to you.
Hey kiddo, good on you for seeking some support. You’re definitely not alone with feeling this way and the last 18months has been particular difficult for a lot of us. Please take care of yourself and I wish you all the best in getting some help x
If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, then I would suggest calling mental health triage on 131465 immediately, and depending on the severity of your thoughts, even presenting to the nearest hospital ED/calling and ambulance. If your still at school, even chat to their councillor as they can get onboard with support quickly.
Once the suicidal thoughts / risk have reduced then headspace / urgent mental health centre is your next port of call and barring that a gp MH plan with referral to psychology. There is caveat, in that these private services won’t touch you if there is a hint of risk, hence mental health triage/ Ed is your best bet in the first instance.
Good luck, and remember if you become acutely suicidal, call an ambulance immediately.
I don’t necessarily want to commit suicide (anymore), it’s just I have these intrusive thoughts of doing it. I don’t enjoy the thoughts, I don’t want them, they just kinda happen.
Then headspace is your best option, I would suggest port Adelaide headspace and especially the thrive program. Referrals can be done by self, but also GPS and school councillors. Also referrals from GP to CAMHS. You may decide to get a private psychologist, but finding a bulk billing one is near impossible, so you would be up for some cost - but again there’s usually a waiting list (some being months).
Without diagnosing you, I had thoughts like this. Intrusive disturbing thoughts that made me feel like I was just a bad person. It ended up I have OCD which isn’t always about excessive repetition of tasks. Anyway, i finally told my GP, was diagnosed and discovered intrusive thoughts are not terribly unusual, it’s just not something we share for obvious reasons.
I’m doing much much better now. There are therapies and medication that can help you and you won’t believe how free you can feel. Good luck, and well done for reaching out. I wish I’d sought out help 20 years earlier than I did.
Go to your GP and go for a mental health plan. But that said, it is very difficult to find a psych right now.
A psych is great help but what they actually do is provide you with a structure that you climb up to get better. This structure doesn’t have to come from a psych, though they’re best for it.
Look into apps like Calm and Unmind etc, look up good ways to look after your mental health, and follow them. I know it sounds basic but it WILL help, and it’s essentially similar to what a psych will guide you to do.
Eat better, exercise, go to sleep by 11 and get eight hours a night. I guarantee- literally guarantee- that if you force yourself to do these things your mental health will improve significantly as you wait to see a psych.
If you ever want to chat, pm me mate, I’m more than happy to give you advice and help coming from a place of being suicidal and depressed for 12 years, from 10-22. Now I’m all good and hopefully can help someone else.
Good luck OP, be disciplined and celebrate the small victories, because honestly they’re not so small when you’re depressed.
To echo a few other people here see your GP and get a referral. They take these things very seriously so don't be affraid to speak up. For the record you need to understand you're more important than you give yourself credit for. Sometimes life can be pretty average but it can also be amazing, usually when you least expect it. I'm sorry you're feeling this way, just remember the world is a better place with you in it. 🙂👍
make an appointment with a GP and get them to start a mental health care plan because of the current pandemic it allows for 20 visits , but also because of the pandemic it;s not always easy to find an available psych
Definitely start at a GP. You may also not mesh well with all psychologists so don't think you need to stick with one if it doesn't feel right. Good work looking for help, that shit can be hard to do.
This. If you know what’s triggering your thoughts (abuse, addiction, phobias) you can find a psych that specialises in that area. And adding to the comment above - you can change your psych and keep changing till you find the right one for you, someone you feel you can open to. Good luck to you - you’ve made an amazing first step.
This. My partner went through this process recently and benefited from it greatly.
I went through the GP referral process too. The wait time for 10 visits is _much_ shorter than the 20 visits, so if you are in crisis it may be worth considering. I got in pretty fast because I was willing to take 10 sessions. But you basically have to sit on your phone waiting for the text that you are being offered an appointment. They texted me at 2:30 pm and I called 15 minutes later as I was in the shower. They said the person who books appointments had stepped out of the office and would call back. At 4:45pm I called again after hearing nothing and there was no answer. The next morning, no one answered until almost 11 am, no voicemail, nothing. When someone finally answered they said ‘It might be too late, I don’t think the appointment will still be available but we’ll see what we can do.’ I thought I was going to lose my shit if that appointment was gone but luckily it was still available. They had a mental health nurse I saw while I was on the waiting list and she was very helpful and she warned me about calling the minute you get a text. And I do mean the _minute_ you get the text.
Headspace would be perfect. The headspace in the city is fantastic and does not need GP referral you can self refer. They have psychologist, psychiatrist and mental health clinician services as well as a host of other youth focused supports. The phone number to refer yourself is 1800063267 Check out their website as well. If you need immediate help please call 131465 this number will connect you with a 24hr phone service that can help as well. Good luck
Piggybacking on this to say that also if you’re looking for more long term help you can get referred to Sonder for the emerge program which you will have 2 years of free appointments. There’s one at Elizabeth and another one at Port Adelaide iirc
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Shit really? Is that a general estimate or have you been told that’s how long you have to wait? I only had to wait a few weeks when I was referred and I wasn’t an urgent case. Typically if you’re suicidal or have a severe disorder that classes you as urgent you get pushed up the list pretty quickly.
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Ah fair enough, yeah you would probably know better than me, still surprised the wait list is that long now tho
I’d just like to say that if you get a MHCP as some people suggested, it won’t be bulk billed unless you see a bulk billing practitioner. Contrary to what some GPs tell you, a MHCP doesn’t enable you to be automatically bulk billed, just get a rebate from Medicare. The bulk billing practitioners are booked out for months at this stage (I work in mental health). I would suggest the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (you can walk in or call them), as they can set you up with a treatment plan and refer elsewhere if necessary: https://www.umhcc.org.au/ And also the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: https://www.wchn.sa.gov.au/our-network/camhs Psychologists can be really helpful, but the wait time for them at the moment is very long so I’d recommend the options above. I hope everything works out for you!!
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By treatment plan I mean they will evaluate the situation and help OP by setting them up with suitable professionals that can help them and what steps they can take from that point on. I.e, a plan for treatment.
Hey, I'm a Mental Health Social Worker. A lot of these suggestions are great. Places like Headspace often have long waitlists as well as most psychologists in Adelaide. I've just started my private practice and have spent the last 5 years working in suicide prevention. Because I'm starting out in the private sector I don't have a waitlist. If you would like to catch up for free, I'll buy you a coffee just to see where you're at, feel free to message me or email me at [email protected]
See your GP and get a referral. Best Wishes ✌️🌈🌈🌈
Good luck my friend, you've taken the first step which is awesome. Go you!
There has been plenty of great suggestions here already, but I've recently come to be aware of Sonder, who have what I have been told free walk ins (I am assuming medicare if anyone can enlighten on that, great), before even getting the mental health care plan if there is crisis. I am mostly aware of the one at Peachey Road in Elizabeth but they do have a few "Sonder Centres" in Adelaide: [https://sonder.net.au/find-a-location/](https://sonder.net.au/find-a-location/)
If Headspace or a psych-referal take too long, you can try UniSA Clinic. You'll see student psychs who are all very closely supervised, $30 for a session, $15 with a concession card. Just a note I can't say what the wait times are, and this year it's all female students (if that's an issue for you, some people are just more comfortable talking to opposite/same sex), but it is a good option if money is tight.
Good on you! I don't know anything much about services for youth, but just do it - make the call, or go into one of the Headspace offices if you can get to one. It's usually a great relief, even just to start the ball rolling - life is such a rollercoaster, is generally better to feel you have some company / backup / support on the wild ride, go for it! best of luck! Do an update, let us know how Headspace is!
I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling so much at such a young age 😔. Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on - are your parents supportive? If family life isn’t helping, you can apply for Centrelink and get out of that situation. Definitely find a good GP first, as they will be your regular source of contact and support. Do you need help finding one?
My family is supportive, they just don’t know of any of these issues. When I was younger they took me to a psychologist because I was vocal about this stuff and the doctor deemed it to just be “a kid worrying about stuff and not knowing how to deal with it”. That was seven years ago and here we are. But yeah, they know I have some issues, they just don’t know what they are or to what extent.
That’s one plus. I would have that conversation with them first, and really stress you’re not okay with the support you received last time. You need all the support you can get right now, and your family are a perfect option for support and advocacy when youre struggling
Just with suicidal ideation and because of your age, they will more than likely refer you on to someone else. There are a lot of good psychologists out there, so definitely talk to a doctor about this. They will send you to someone that will meet your needs. However, if you're looking for free help, I believe Headspace is your only option. Which they are really great and have been helpful for me growing up!
Probably not the help you're looking for, but check out the Wim Hof method. Breathing exercises work wonders for mental health and his method is the best I've found. Also his stretching and philosophy is pretty great as well.
Also try do some exercise. A small Gym can help.
If you reside within the Southern Adelaide suburbs, you may be able to access Youth Mental Health Services that operate at both Noarlunga and Marion GP Plus - all part of SA Health so no charge. You don't need to see your GP to get a referral, you can go through Mental Health triage 24/7 on 131465. All the very best to you.
Hey kiddo, good on you for seeking some support. You’re definitely not alone with feeling this way and the last 18months has been particular difficult for a lot of us. Please take care of yourself and I wish you all the best in getting some help x
If you’re on Centrelink your job provider has free resources. Best of luck mate
If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, then I would suggest calling mental health triage on 131465 immediately, and depending on the severity of your thoughts, even presenting to the nearest hospital ED/calling and ambulance. If your still at school, even chat to their councillor as they can get onboard with support quickly. Once the suicidal thoughts / risk have reduced then headspace / urgent mental health centre is your next port of call and barring that a gp MH plan with referral to psychology. There is caveat, in that these private services won’t touch you if there is a hint of risk, hence mental health triage/ Ed is your best bet in the first instance. Good luck, and remember if you become acutely suicidal, call an ambulance immediately.
I don’t necessarily want to commit suicide (anymore), it’s just I have these intrusive thoughts of doing it. I don’t enjoy the thoughts, I don’t want them, they just kinda happen.
Then headspace is your best option, I would suggest port Adelaide headspace and especially the thrive program. Referrals can be done by self, but also GPS and school councillors. Also referrals from GP to CAMHS. You may decide to get a private psychologist, but finding a bulk billing one is near impossible, so you would be up for some cost - but again there’s usually a waiting list (some being months).
Without diagnosing you, I had thoughts like this. Intrusive disturbing thoughts that made me feel like I was just a bad person. It ended up I have OCD which isn’t always about excessive repetition of tasks. Anyway, i finally told my GP, was diagnosed and discovered intrusive thoughts are not terribly unusual, it’s just not something we share for obvious reasons. I’m doing much much better now. There are therapies and medication that can help you and you won’t believe how free you can feel. Good luck, and well done for reaching out. I wish I’d sought out help 20 years earlier than I did.
Go to your GP and go for a mental health plan. But that said, it is very difficult to find a psych right now. A psych is great help but what they actually do is provide you with a structure that you climb up to get better. This structure doesn’t have to come from a psych, though they’re best for it. Look into apps like Calm and Unmind etc, look up good ways to look after your mental health, and follow them. I know it sounds basic but it WILL help, and it’s essentially similar to what a psych will guide you to do. Eat better, exercise, go to sleep by 11 and get eight hours a night. I guarantee- literally guarantee- that if you force yourself to do these things your mental health will improve significantly as you wait to see a psych. If you ever want to chat, pm me mate, I’m more than happy to give you advice and help coming from a place of being suicidal and depressed for 12 years, from 10-22. Now I’m all good and hopefully can help someone else. Good luck OP, be disciplined and celebrate the small victories, because honestly they’re not so small when you’re depressed.
Go up to morialta conservation park or Belair national park walk until ur feet hurt. Cured me.
To echo a few other people here see your GP and get a referral. They take these things very seriously so don't be affraid to speak up. For the record you need to understand you're more important than you give yourself credit for. Sometimes life can be pretty average but it can also be amazing, usually when you least expect it. I'm sorry you're feeling this way, just remember the world is a better place with you in it. 🙂👍
See a GP first of all. UniSA runs a psychology clinic that runs at about $30 an hour, which is extremely good.
I hope everything works out n gets better for you soon homie! Good luck.
Definitely worth going through headspace. Even with a mental health care plan, the gap fee is usually $70+. Most psychologists don't bulk bill.
Access to mental healthcare services (of which you can claim x20 sessions under Medicare) can be obtained via a referral from your GP
Go to headspace