Feeling better after an episode of mental illness is more likely if you know where to go and what treatment and support you are entitled to. This Factsheet gives a summary of what sort of services are available to help you do this.

Where can you go and what kind of clinical treatment will help recovery?

-General Practitioner
It helps to see a GP (preferably the same one) on a regular basis. This way you can get to know each other, discuss ongoing issues and be referred to appropriate community and specialist services as necessary. With psychiatrist support, a GP can monitor medication and other treatments. GPs may provide psychological treatments such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or refer to a psychologist who can.

-Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist can discuss current or ongoing issues of concern, give information about mental illness and its treatment, monitor medication and refer to community services.

-Community Mental Health Service
If you are in the public system, ask about getting a case manager. Case managers can coordinate clinical and psychosocial treatments, provide information, education and support to the whole family, as well as referral to community agencies.

-Hospitals
People rarely go to hospital unless they are very unwell and when they do it is usually for a short time (about 2-3 weeks). If help is needed urgently, call your psychiatrist or case manager (or a crisis assessment team after work hours) and they can arrange for assessment and hospitalisation if necessary.

-Consumer consultants
Many services have consumer consultants who offer support and advice. They may work on a hospital psychiatric ward or be attached to a community mental health service. Your doctor or case manager can put you in touch.

What other kinds of treatment and support are available?

-Day Programs
Run by community support agencies, day programs are usually based around a range of recreational activities (such as walking, writing, meditation) or special groups (such as young peoples’ group, women’s group, cultural/language groups). They often run structured programs where you can learn new skills to help you get back on your feet again, while meeting others in a similar situation. Your local community mental health service or council should be able to direct you to your nearest day program.

-Mutual Support Groups
Mutual Support Groups provide a place to meet with others in a similar situation or with similar illnesses, to exchange ideas and discuss common issues in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. Your local community mental health service or council should be able to direct you to your nearest group.

-Financial Assistance
People seriously affected by mental illnesses are usually entitled to financial assistance (such as a disability pension or sickness allowance). To find out if you are entitled contact the Disability Support Worker at your local Centrelink.

How do I find out more?
SANE Australia also produces a range of easy-to-read publications and multimedia resources on mental illness.

For more information about this topic see:
'The SANE Guide to Treatments'
'The SANE Guide to Planning Ahead'
'The SANE Guide to Healthy Living'
Use the Order Form which came with this Factsheet or visit the SANE Bookshop.
Please download the factsheet for the full text. (You will need Acrobat reader to read this.)

SANE Australia...Getting Better: recovering from mental illness

© SANE Factsheet 19 side 1 and 2.

This Factsheet may be freely downloaded, copied and distributed on condition no change is made to the content. SANE Australia is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of information or opinions contained in the Factsheet. Version: English, 2004.