Depression can come in many different forms. You might feel persistently sad, find little enjoyment in activities you used to love, or experience constant fatigue and hopelessness. Depression can also make it difficult to build up the motivation to seek help, and figuring out where to start can be overwhelming.
Depression is another condition that I help a lot of people with so if you are suffering from low mood don’t hesitate to book in to speak to me.

Depression Symptoms

Feeling low or down is something everyone experiences from time to time. However, when this feeling lingers for an extended period and starts to affect your daily life it can be helpful to get support.

Depression can involve:

Getting Help with Depression

What to do about depression depends on why you have the symptoms of it and what you want to achieve. You might be aware of why you are feeling depressed or it might be helpful to speak with someone (like a friend, telephone service, your GP or a psychologist) to figure it out. Knowing why you are feeling depressed will help you know what kinds of treatments will help. It is also important to decide whether you want to try to resolve the issues causing the depression or if you are more interested in just managing the depression. If you think that your low mood has a psychological cause then working on resolving it usually involves more emotional/deeper work than if you just want to manage it.

If it is an Emergency

Before getting into any of the other resources, depression can involve suicidality, so if it is an emergency or if you, or someone you know, is acutely suicidal then call 000.
If you are located in Melbourne and it is not an emergency but you or the person you are supporting is having a serious difficulty with their mental health then you can call the triage service for the public mental health service. To do this:

Services and Resources to Help You with Depression

There are a lot of different resources and services out there that can help you. I’ve listed some of the resources and services below. It is important to know that how helpful you find any of these will vary a lot and that you may have to try quite a few different approaches to figure out what works for you. I am also not endorsing any of these resources or services, rather these are a starting point for you to figure out the approach that you can take.

Self-Help and Community-Based Treatments for Depression

Free Telephone, Online Chat and Online Counselling Services

Lifeline Australia

Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention (so if the depression is really bad and it is the middle of the night they can be a starting point). Lifeline has three crisis services, all free:

Beyond Blue Support Service

Beyond Blue offers free, 24/7 counselling for people experiencing depression, anxiety, or mental health challenges. Their counsellors can provide advice, emotional support, and practical strategies to manage low mood.

Suicide Call Back Service

This service provides free, nationwide counselling 24/7 phone and online counselling for individuals feeling suicidal or supporting someone in crisis. They also offer support for those dealing with depression and low mood.

MensLine Australia

MensLine is a 24/7 service offering free counselling for men who are experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties, including low mood and depression. They provide professional support and practical advice.

Kids Helpline (for young adults up to 25)

Kids Helpline provides 24/7 free counselling for young people up to 25 years old. Their qualified counsellors offer support for managing low mood, depression, and other mental health concerns.

Online Support Groups

Offers online forums and resources for people struggling with low mood and depression.
Provides online tools, forums, and resources for managing mood-related challenges.
Have a free online social platform called ‘My Circle’ that lets young adults talk to other young people going through challenges.

In-Person Support Groups

MHFA runs in-person support groups in various locations across Melbourne. These groups focus on mental health education, peer support, and the shared experience of managing low mood and depression.
Grow offers peer-led support groups that focus on recovery from mental health issues, including low mood and depression. Their programs provide a supportive community, emphasizing personal responsibility and mutual support.

Self-Help Books and Online Resources

You are probably aware that there are A LOT of books, online resources and Apps out there for depression. My general rule of thumb is to start with resources written by experts and then just keep reading. The four books below are all written by mental health professionals. If you try any of these books and find that they aren’t for you I encourage you to reflect on what you liked or did not like and then do some Googling from there.

Books

Online Resources

Lifestyle Changes

Professional Treatments for Depression

If you’re looking for professional support, there are several options available in Melbourne.

Seeing a General Practitioner (GP)

A GP is often the first step toward getting professional help. They can assess your symptoms and develop a Mental Health Treatment Plan (which will mean you can claim rebates when you see a psychologist), which may include a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist. They may also prescribe medication if appropriate. If you are also looking for a psychologist near you (and you aren’t near me) they might be able to recommend you someone.

Seeing a Psychologist

Seeing a Psychiatrist

Programs at Private Hospitals

Private Health Insurance: If you have private health insurance, you might be able to access inpatient or outpatient programs for low mood or depression at private hospitals in Melbourne. A referral from your GP or psychiatrist is usually required.

Referral to Public Mental Health Services

If your low mood is severe, you might be referred to a public mental health team for more intensive treatment. If you or a family member is experiencing very low mood or acute suicidality you can call Triage to commence the assessment process (see the instructions from earlier on this page). Your GP can also refer you and if you have attended an emergency department the staff at the ED can refer you.

Community Health Services

Some local councils and community health services offer low-cost or free mental health programs, including counselling and support groups. If you google your city council and then navigate to the health service that they offer you should be able to find out what they offer.
I hope this information provides you with a sense of the support available. If you’re struggling with depression, I am here if you would like to reach out to me.
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