R U OK Day: How a GP Can Help

R U OK Day, held on 10 September, is a reminder to check in on the people around you. A GP mental health consult can include a Mental Health Care Plan, which provides Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist or accredited mental health social worker. An estimated 1 in 5 Australians experience a mental health condition in any given year (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023), and a GP is often the first point of contact for support.

What "not okay" can actually look like

It's rarely as obvious as it sounds. It might be trouble sleeping, snapping at people more than usual, losing interest in things you normally enjoy, withdrawing from friends or family, relying more on alcohol to unwind, or just feeling flat without being able to say why. Physical symptoms, including headaches, digestive changes, and ongoing fatigue, can also be tied to mental health and are worth mentioning alongside how you're feeling emotionally.

What a GP mental health consult involves

A GP is often the first person people talk to about their mental health, and that appointment can be more useful than people expect. It typically includes:

• A conversation about what's been going on, without judgement or time pressure
• An assessment of how you're coping day to day, including sleep, appetite, and concentration
• Development of a Mental Health Care Plan, which provides Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist or accredited mental health social worker
• Referral to the right allied health professional for your situation, whether that's a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist
• A plan for follow-up, so support continues beyond the first visit rather than stopping at one appointment

A Mental Health Care Plan currently provides a set number of Medicare-subsidised sessions per calendar year, reviewed by your GP partway through. If your needs change, your GP can adjust the plan or referral accordingly.

You don't need to be in crisis to book this appointment. Ongoing low mood, stress that isn't easing, grief, relationship strain, or simply wanting someone to talk things through with are all valid reasons to come in.

If you're checking in on someone else

R U OK Day is as much about the people around you as it is about yourself. Practical ways to ask include choosing a private moment, asking a direct but open question like "how are you really going", and being ready to sit with the answer rather than rushing to reassure or fix. If someone in your life has seemed different lately, whether that's withdrawing, changes in mood, or just not being themselves, asking the question directly matters more than getting the wording exactly right. If they need professional support, a GP is a good next step, and our team can talk through what that might look like, including how to book their first appointment.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress, Lifeline (13 11 14) and the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) are available 24/7.

FAQs

What happens at a GP mental health appointment? Your GP talks through what's been going on, assesses how you're coping, and can create a Mental Health Care Plan. This plan provides Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist or mental health social worker.

Do I need to be in crisis to see a GP about mental health? No. Ongoing low mood, stress, grief, or wanting someone to talk things through with are all valid reasons to book an appointment.

How many psychology sessions does a Mental Health Care Plan cover? It provides a set number of Medicare-subsidised sessions per calendar year, with a review by your GP partway through. Your GP can advise the current limits at your appointment.

How do I start a conversation with someone I'm worried about? Ask directly, in a private moment, and be ready to listen without rushing to fix it. If they need professional support, a GP visit is a practical next step.