What is mental health support?
Answer
Services for mental illness and psychological problems
Explanation
Mental health support in Australia is delivered through a mix of public health services, federally subsidised private practitioners, helplines, and community organisations. About one in five Australians experiences a mental health condition in any given year, and the system has expanded substantially since the Better Access initiative was introduced in 2006.
The Better Access initiative provides Medicare rebates for up to ten individual sessions and ten group sessions per year with a registered psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, or occupational therapist, after a Mental Health Treatment Plan is prepared by a GP, paediatrician, or psychiatrist. Bulk-billing or gap payments apply depending on the practitioner. About 3 million Australians used Better Access services in 2022 to 2023, making it one of the most-used mental health subsidies in the world.
Crisis support is available 24 hours a day through several national helplines. Lifeline (13 11 14) provides crisis support and suicide prevention. Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) offers information and referral for depression and anxiety. Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) supports young people aged 5 to 25. 13YARN (13 92 76) is a national crisis line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people staffed by Indigenous Australian counsellors. The Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) offers free phone and online counselling for people affected by suicide.
Headspace centres provide free or low-cost mental health, physical health, work and study, and alcohol and other drug services for young people aged 12 to 25. There are more than 150 headspace centres across Australia, plus an online service at headspace.org.au. State-based public mental health services provide care for serious and complex conditions through community mental health teams and acute hospital inpatient units. Community organisations including SANE, the Black Dog Institute, ReachOut, and dozens of culturally specific services round out the network. Workplace support is increasingly common through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) which offer free, confidential short-term counselling to employees of subscribed organisations.
Why this matters for your test
Mental health needs touch most Australian households, and knowing about Better Access Medicare rebates, Lifeline 13 11 14, and headspace gives new citizens immediate options for getting help.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2024)
