Mental Health Services in Wagga
When you or someone you know is dealing with mental illness or has become mentally unwell, it is important to seek treatment and to seek a doctor or GP for a professional diagnosis and assistance.
Each year, mental illness symptoms affect or are experienced by approximately 1 in 5 Australians. Mental illnesses like depression, anxiety and substance use disorder are reported as the most common mental illness occurrences, with many patients suffering multiple illnesses at any given time.
When you are suffering from mental illness or unwellness, it is important to reach out to your local doctor or GP so that they can become your first point of contact and can refer you to the resources or mental health care providers that you need to assist you in feeling well again.
Within Australia, public mental health services are typically provided through the following programs.
Child and adolescent mental health services (0- 17 years of age)
Adult mental health services (18- 64 years of age)
Aged person’s mental health services (65+ years of age)
Although Medicare and Government initiatives offer rebatable services for the mentally unwell, there are also private health care providers, community groups and organisations and non-for-profit organisations that can help you on the road to being mentally healthy.
If you or someone you know is suffering from mental unwellness or illness please contact us to speak to your doctor or Accessline on 1800 011 511.
Counselling
Dr. Glasson is available for counselling sessions. She is a registered Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) provider, meaning that she can use a range of allied health professional, approved evidence-based strategies to assess mental health disorders and provide the best treatment or management plan to you. The FPS service requires the patient to attend an appointment with the FPS service provider, for usually around 50 minutes. Medicare rebates allow for 10 sessions per calendar year upon evidence of a referral.
The FPS services include strategies based upon.
Psycho- education
Motivational interviewing
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy can focus on areas, such as:
Behavioural interventions
Behavioural modifications
Activity scheduling
Cognitive therapy
Exposure techniques
Relaxation strategies
Controlled breathing exercises
Progressive muscle relation techniques
Skills training
Stress management training
Parent management training
Social skills and management training
Problem solving skills and skills training
Communication training
Anger management
Interpersonal therapy
Interpersonal therapy is especially for handling depression
Narrative therapy
Patients who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent are welcome to partake in the narrative therapy techniques provided by the health service provider
These programs will differ depending upon the patient’s needs and what the health service provider believes is the best methods to help the patient. To make an appointment with your health service provider regarding the FPS program please contact your local GP.
Mental Health Treatment Plans
A mental health treatment plan is a Better Access initiative that allows patients easier access to mental health professionals through Medicare benefit schedules. This initiative is designed to shape, purpose and influence positive changes to put you on the road to change or recovery. The mental health treatment plan is available to anyone who is suffering from mental unwellness and is used to identify what kind of mental help you will need. This plan will be the basis of the aim that you and your health service provider hope to achieve. To receive a mental health treatment plan the doctor will assess you to see whether a mental health plan will benefit your situation.
If eligible for a mental health plan, you will be entitled to up to 10 Medicare rebatable individual or group appointments with certain allied health service providers within 1 calendar year. This means the 1st of January through to the 31st of December in any given year. Your doctor will refer you to the allied health service sector in your area and you will be able to attend an appointment with a councillor, therapist, psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker depending upon what is best for your mental health. You can also get in touch with Beyond Blue who are happy to assist you in finding an allied health service practice in your area.
After 6 Medicare rebatable appointments you will be required to return to your local GP for a mental health plan review. This is so that you can attend your last 4 appointments and so the doctor is able to check upon how you are responding to your mental health plan and make another referral for you to continue seeing the allied health services professional.
If you are suffering from mental unwellness or mental illness, please contact us for an appointment or contact Accessline on 1800 011 511.
Medication Management
Proper medication management can assist or prevent you from medical risks and errors. When you are suffering from mental unwellness there are generally 6 types of mental health medications that can assist you with your condition.
These include.
Antidepressants. Used to treat anxiety, depression and certain types of personality disorders
Mood stabilisers. Often prescribed to patients suffering from bipolar disorder
Depressants. Used to calm patients
Stimulants. Often prescribed as an ADHD or ADD medication
Antipsychotics. Medication used to restore your brain’s chemical balance. Typically used to treat patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
Anxiolytics, Anxiety disorder medication
The type of medication you are prescribed by your health care professional and the type and severity of your mental illness will mean that these medications and your treatment options will vary. It is important to be open and honest with your health service provider about how your medication is going and how you are feeling after you start taking the medication.
With many medications there can be side effects. The side effects will vary depending upon your health, medication and the dosages of the medication but can include.
Weight gain or loss
Headaches
Dry mouth
Dizziness or nausea
Loss of sex drive
Tiredness or insomnia
Constipation or diarrhoea
It is important for you to discuss any concerns about side effects with your health service provider. If symptoms do persist, the doctor may need to assess your medication and discuss with you further or other options, medications or management programs that can benefit you.
In cases where you are taking the medications for prolonged periods of time the side affects may vary.
Prolonged mental health medications can cause side affects not limited to but including.
Personality changes
Feelings of depression or paranoia
Weight gain or loss
Damage to memory and concentration skills
Headaches and nausea
Loss of sex drive
Dependence or addiction to medication
If you would like to engage in a medication management plan or discuss your mental health or medications, it is important that you contact us. If you or someone you know requires immediate help or medical attention, please call 000. If you have suicidal or harmful thoughts please contact emergency services on 000 or Accessline on 1800 011 511.