Your first appointment
![Document](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worksheet%20.png?itok=NPPkN65Y)
This information is about your first appointment for your mental health
It has information about
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20%28visiting%20your%20GP%29%20.png?itok=ZcdyuJXI)
- Going to your GP
![Mental health worker talking with person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Mental%20health%20worker.png?itok=YYocu3e4)
- Seeing a mental health worker
![Emergency](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/emergancy%20.png?itok=3cDFzI_n)
- Going to the emergency department for your mental health
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
- Where to get more information
![Going to the GP is the first step](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP1.png?itok=eZbDtnx1)
The first health worker most people go to for help with their mental health is a GP.
A GP is the doctor that you see when you
- Are sick
- Need a health check
![Person pointing to themself](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/me.png?itok=MKZ3tSa8)
Mental health is about
- How you think
- How you feel
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20work.png?itok=FeHvPhZw)
You can take someone you trust to any appointment.
There are many people you might trust.
For more information about who you might trust go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/someone-trust
![Like](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Like%20Emoji%20.png?itok=wXzOCon8)
But it is OK to go on your own if you prefer.
![Ready to go](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/get%20ready%20.png?itok=w8fUNhl6)
You can get ready for the first visit.
![Two people communicating](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%201.png?itok=1OkRDQ8m)
It can be hard to communicate how you feel to your GP.
To communicate is how you understand and share your feelings or information.
![Person thinking](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Think8.png?itok=2yjYaB3x)
It can help to think about what you want to communicate before you go to get help.
![List](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/List.png?itok=ukA8WgRR)
You can think about
- What you want help with
- How you have been feeling lately
- Any questions you might have
![Notes](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/notes%20.png?itok=zshEdCTr)
It can help to make some notes.
You or someone you trust can make notes.
![Two people talking and writing down notes](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Market%20research.png?itok=KxP02KyI)
Before you go to get help you can practise
- Communicating your points
- Asking your questions with someone you trust
What happens when you go to your GP
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20%28visiting%20your%20GP%29%20.png?itok=ZcdyuJXI)
Your GP will ask you some questions.
![Two people communicating](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%201.png?itok=1OkRDQ8m)
You can tell them
- How you have been feeling
- What has been going on in your life
![Person in an office](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work.png?itok=iy0796IC)
For more information about communicating about your mental health go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
communicating-about-my-mental-health/ER
![Confused man](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/cofused%202%20.png?itok=V2hev2Sr)
Your GP might also ask about what has been going on in your life.
![Woman stressed](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Stress%20.png?itok=7ZXWRkVN)
Your GP might ask if any stressful things have happened.
For example if you are experiencing bullying.
![Person being bullied by others](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/bullied.png?itok=bA92N4Fa)
Bullying is when someone or a group of people are mean to you on purpose.
This could be more than one time.
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20%28visiting%20your%20GP%29%20.png?itok=ZcdyuJXI)
Your GP might ask about your mental health.
For example how you have been feeling.
You have different types of feelings.
![Man laughing](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Happy.png?itok=DMgCo6SD)
Feelings can make you feel good.
![Happy person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Happy_0.png?itok=cPM2EMT9)
You can be
- Happy
- Excited
![Sad person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Sad%20.png?itok=tLbeWE7w)
Feelings can make you feel bad.
![Person upset](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Upset-7.png?itok=6t9I4pbn)
You can be
- Upset
- Sad
![Person in an office](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work.png?itok=iy0796IC)
For more information about feelings and mental health go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
about-mental-health-and-id/ER
![Person exercising](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Keep%20fit.png?itok=ekxMZKlR)
Your GP might ask about your physical health.
Physical health is about
- How your body feels
- How well your body is doing what it is supposed to
![Stomach ache](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Stomach%20Ache%202.png?itok=reyL-hNt)
For example if you been been feeling unwell.
![Person running](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Run.png?itok=LFHDv0-4)
They might also ask how you take care of your body.
For example how much exercise you get.
![Medicine](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/medication%20.png?itok=l8xaC6dj)
Your GP might ask you questions about medicines.
Medicine is sometimes called medication or drugs.
Medicine can be in
- A tablet
- A pill
- A drink
- An injection
![seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/gp%20alone%20.png?itok=t_8yYSsr)
For example your GP might ask
- What medicines you take
- How they make you feel
![Person with a question](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Question%204.png?itok=Goh4fu2f)
You might want to ask your GP some questions.
You might ask
- Why am I feeling like this?
![Group of health workers](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/health%20workers.png?itok=qEPf7qeD)
- What could help my mental health?
- Who can help me with my mental health?
![Group of people](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Group.png?itok=aWuXHMg7)
- Do they work with people with intellectual disability?
![Money](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Money.jpg?itok=y4Ykz_Yn)
- Will I have to pay money to get help for my mental health?
![Man smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Good%20mental%20health.png?itok=PTm_rhWt)
- When will I start to feel better?
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20%28visiting%20your%20GP%29%20.png?itok=ZcdyuJXI)
Your GP will let you know what could help your mental health.
Your GP might give you information on things you can do to help your mental health.
![Health worker giving information](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Give%20information.png?itok=e5-rIB0m)
Your GP might discuss ways people who support you can help you feel better.
![Discussing treatment](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/treatment.png?itok=bFI2hXz3)
Your GP will let you know what treatments might help you feel better.
Treatments are things that can help you feel better.
Treatments can be therapies and medicines.
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20Work%203_0.png?itok=WNA48d9K)
Therapies are activities your mental health workers use to support your mental health.
![Mental health worker talking with person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Mental%20health%20worker.png?itok=YYocu3e4)
Mental health workers are people who work to help you with your mental health.
![Appointment](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/appointment%20.png?itok=MC4csJai)
Your GP might help you find a mental health worker who can support you.
They might suggest you see a mental health worker such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
![Doing an assessment](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/assessment.png?itok=3XHX8csV)
A psychologist helps you with your mental health by talking with you.
Psychologists help you find things you can do to feel better.
![Two people communicating with each other](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Talk%20and%20listen.png?itok=FCsBaHm3)
A psychiatrist is a doctor who helps you with your mental health using talking and medicine.
![Person in an office](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work.png?itok=iy0796IC)
For more information about these health workers go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/mental-health-services-health-workers/ER
![Care plan](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/care%20plan.png?itok=FZThKuAT)
Your GP might also suggest a treatment plan for your mental health.
A treatment plan is a list of things you can do to help you get better.
A treatment plan is sometimes called a care plan.
![Money](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Money.jpg?itok=y4Ykz_Yn)
People who have been told they have a mental health disorder by a doctor can get a rebate.
A rebate means you get some money back after paying for your treatment.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
For more information about
- Mental health treatment plans go to https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan
- Seeing your GP go to https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/talking-to-your-doctor-gp-about-mental-health
![Document](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worksheet%20.png?itok=NPPkN65Y)
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