If anxiety or low mood is making life difficult, you deserve to be heard. You do not have to explain everything perfectly before asking for help.
Anxiety and depression can affect daily functioning. A GP or mental health professional can assess what is happening and discuss care with you. Healthdirect — Anxiety. Healthdirect — Depression.
What can care include?
Depending on your needs, care may involve psychological therapy, medicines and support with daily routines. These options can be used together; the right plan is an individual conversation with your treating professional. Healthdirect — Anxiety. Healthdirect — Depression.
Tell your prescriber about questions or unwanted effects from treatment. Bring any herbal products or supplements to the discussion too, because they can interact with medicines. Better Health Channel — Herbal medicine.
Prepare for the conversation
You could write down:
- What has been difficult and when you first noticed it.
- How your days, sleep and relationships have been affected.
- What support you already have.
- What you would most like help with first.
If you want company, ask someone you trust to help you make the appointment or come with you. You can also tell the clinician if talking about some things feels difficult.
What would practical support look like today?
Think about one ordinary task you would welcome help with, such as preparing a meal, getting to an appointment or making a phone call. Let the request be specific, and choose what feels comfortable to share.
Our stress and daily routines article offers related questions to discuss alongside your care.
If you need immediate support
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. To talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 also offers mental health support. Healthdirect — Depression.
Sources
Read 15 October 2026. Sources support the adjacent general information; clinic sources verify the current appointment menu.
- Healthdirect — Anxiety — Australian public-health guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Healthdirect — Depression — Australian public-health guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Better Health Channel — Herbal medicine — Australian public-health guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
