One in five Australians will experience a mental health condition in any given year. (Source: ABS National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-2022) Many more will go through periods of significant stress, grief, relationship difficulty, or burnout that may not meet a clinical threshold but still deserve proper support.
Access to mental health care varies across Australia. Factors including distance, availability, and cost can make it difficult for some people to access regular support. Telehealth provides one additional pathway to connect with a qualified GP.
If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24 hours, 7 days. In an emergency, call 000.
How Telehealth May Help Reduce Barriers
The barriers to mental health care are not only clinical. They are often logistical, financial, and social. Telehealth can address several of them.
Distance and geography. Australia’s geography has always created inequities in healthcare access. A person in an outer suburb or a regional community may face a long round trip just to see a GP. For someone already struggling, that friction can be enough to prevent them from seeking help. Telehealth removes distance as a barrier.
Perceived privacy. Some people find it easier to raise mental health concerns for the first time through a screen rather than face to face. Booking from your phone and speaking from your own home can feel less confronting as a starting point.
Availability. Online telehealth services can operate outside traditional clinic hours and may offer same-day or next-day appointments that are not always available through a local GP.
Cost. Medicare-rebated telehealth GP consultations are available to patients who meet the relevant criteria, which can make the initial access point more affordable.
What a Mental Health GP Consultation Involves
A mental health telehealth consultation with a GP follows a similar structure to any other telehealth appointment, with the focus on your psychological and emotional wellbeing.
Your GP will typically:
- Ask about your current symptoms, how you have been feeling, for how long, and how it is affecting your daily life
- Explore your history with mental health, including any previous diagnoses or treatments
- Ask about your physical health, sleep, relationships, and lifestyle factors (all of which can be relevant to mental wellbeing)
- Discuss the options available to you, which may include a Mental Health Treatment Plan, medication, referrals, or self-management strategies
- Answer any questions you have about the process
These appointments are not rushed. A GP taking a mental health history will usually allow 20 to 30 minutes for the initial consultation.
Mental Health Treatment Plans
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is one of the most practical pathways in the Australian mental health system.
Under Medicare’s Better Access initiative, a GP can prepare an MHTP for patients experiencing a mental health condition. This plan may provide access to up to 10 Medicare-rebated individual sessions with a registered psychologist, clinical psychologist, or other approved mental health professional per calendar year.
This information is general in nature. Medicare suitability criteria apply. Your GP will advise whether you meet the requirements for a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
To receive an MHTP, you generally need to:
- See a GP (including via telehealth) for a mental health assessment
- Have a diagnosable mental health condition (the most common being depression, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders)
- Work with the GP to develop the plan, which outlines your diagnosis, goals, and the treatment approach
The plan takes approximately 20 to 40 minutes to prepare and is developed with you, not just about you. Your GP will discuss the goals you would like to work toward and which type of mental health professional may suit your needs.
Medicare rebates apply to each of the sessions, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. The rebate amount varies depending on the provider type and whether they bulk bill.
MHTPs can be reviewed and extended. After your initial 6 sessions, you return to your GP for a review, at which point a further 4 sessions can be authorised if clinically appropriate.
Understanding the Roles: GP, Psychologist, Psychiatrist
Knowing the difference between these roles can help you navigate the system.
GP: Often the first point of contact. A GP can assess, diagnose, prescribe medication where appropriate, prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and provide ongoing care and referrals. For many people, their GP is a key part of their ongoing mental health care.
Psychologist: A mental health professional who provides psychological therapy. Registered psychologists hold a minimum of six years of training. Clinical psychologists have additional postgraduate training. Access through an MHTP means Medicare rebates may apply.
Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who has completed additional training in psychiatry. They assess and treat complex or severe mental health conditions and can prescribe medication. Waitlists can be long and out-of-pocket costs may be significant. Your GP will refer you if this level of care is appropriate.
What Telehealth Is Suited For
Telehealth can be appropriate for a range of common mental health presentations. Your GP will assess whether telehealth is clinically appropriate for your situation during your consultation.
Severe or acute presentations, including active suicidal ideation, psychosis, or significant self-harm risk, require in-person assessment and crisis support. If this applies to you, please contact emergency services or a crisis line immediately (see below).
Starting the Conversation with Your GP
If you are not sure how to begin, you do not need a carefully prepared speech. These phrases can help:
- “I have been struggling with my mental health lately and wanted to talk to someone about it.”
- “I think I might be experiencing depression or anxiety. I am not sure, but I have not been feeling right.”
- “I am under a lot of stress and it is starting to affect my sleep and daily life.”
- “I would like to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan.”
GPs are trained to discuss mental health concerns and can help you understand your options.
You do not need to be in crisis to seek help. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis before booking. You do not need to minimise what you are going through.
Important Resources
If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please reach out to one of these services:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days)
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours, 7 days)
- SANE Australia: 1800 187 263 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm AEST)
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 (24 hours, 7 days)
- Kids Helpline (under 25): 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days)
- Emergency services: 000
These services are free, confidential, and available to anyone in Australia.
Taking the First Step
A telehealth GP appointment provides one pathway to access initial mental health support.
Seeking support is a practical, health-focused decision. Your GP can help you understand your options and develop a plan that works for your circumstances.
Individual health outcomes vary. Mental health treatment effectiveness depends on many factors, including the nature of the condition, personal circumstances, and engagement with the treatment plan. Your GP will advise on the most appropriate approach for your situation.
If you would like to discuss your mental health with a GP, learn more about our services.
