Mental health service is a broad term used to describe the range of medical services that are provided to help people who have a mental illness or psychological problem. It includes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the condition or disease as well as support services such as counselling.

 

In Australia, a wide range of services are available to people with mental health problems. For example, Victoria's public mental health services provide help and advice for young people, adults and older people.

 

There are also specialised Children's Mental Health services for the juniors who have a severe or complex mental illness. These services are often available in hospitals, clinics and community centres but there may be a referral process.

 

Specialist mental health care is particularly useful for people who are struggling with a mental illness such as depression or anxiety and for those that have had a suicide attempt. It can also be helpful for those who are coping with other issues such as a physical or sexual assault, a relationship breakdown or a bereavement.

 

It can also be helpful for people who are struggling with a co-occurring condition such as mental health or addiction. For example, many public programs provide integrated care for dually diagnosed clients and have a number of services such as group therapies, support groups and psychiatric medications that can help treat both conditions together.

 

Some general mental health services are offered by primary care providers (doctors in private practice). In these cases, the availability of non-specialist mental health care depends on the physician's training, skills and personal interest. Economic incentives and disincentives also play a role in the type and extent of mental health services offered by primary care physicians.

 

For many patients, a GP or other primary care provider is the first contact for mental health services. The GP can advise patients on where to access services, and can refer them to local or national organisations for further information and assistance.

 

A GP can also give an initial assessment of the patient's mental health and offer a referral to specialist mental health services where necessary.

 

GPs can refer patients to psychiatrists for a consultation or treatment, or to other specialists in mental health for more intensive services or for long-term management. They can also refer patients to community-based services for help with other mental health or social issues, get Meridian HealthCare services here!

 

However, a large proportion of visits to the GP are not referred for treatment, which can be a concern as GPs are likely to be more aware of physical health problems and less likely to see people with mental health difficulties. In addition, a large proportion of visits to the psychiatrist are made by people who do not have mental health disorders, but who require help with other medical problems such as depression or stress.

 

Although people can seek treatment for their mental health condition from a variety of sources, many people choose to receive treatment from a professional in a clinical setting such as a hospital or clinic. In these settings, a therapist or psychologist can assess the client's symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. They can also provide psychotherapy or other forms of counselling or social work.

Check out this related post to get more enlightened on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_disorder.