Question(s) About anyone living in Australia from overseas, or an Australian with some insight/work difficulties

[MrDonut28]

Hi there everyone! This is a brief intro about me: I am a 28 year old American, who moved to Australia in Dec. 2015 and have married my lovely Australian wife in Nov. 2016. As of now I am on a Temporary Partner Visa (applying for Permanent Partner Visa in Nov. this year) I went to Uni in the states from 2011-2014 and had gotten my bachelors in primary education. Now onto my brief medical history.

I was diagnosed in Oct. 2014 by my GP in the states with GAD (general anxiety disorder) after having struggles in the school I worked at. My GP prescribed me ADs (antidepressants) which I am still taking currently everyday. In addition, I have also undergone tests in Australia and have been diagnosed with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism as of last year in Australia. This involves taking a monthly testosterone injection because without it I get very tired, lethargic, and my overall quality of life is poor.

Now for my questions. I have struggled keeping work because of my GAD (and social phobias I know I have but undiagnosed at the moment) and was wanting to know if there any free (or subsidized) services for helping people with mental disorders obtain work? Currently I am not on any sort of payments in the States or Australia, and I do not want to go down the route of seeking claims or payments, but I feel that I may have to because the nature of my anxiety and HH make it difficult keeping work. In addition, I want to be able to supply for my wife, and we are currently living with my in-laws which does not help with my anxiety.

Has anyone been in this sort of situation? It has been difficult looking for answers. I have booked to see a psychiatrist in May, which would be my first appointment after getting a referral from my GP here in Australia.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, anything would help! Ultimately, I would like to have a job which I could do and not feel like I am being judged, and be able to get the supports I need from an understanding employer, as well as move out under the in-laws with my wife so we can have our own place to rent, or own one day.

If no one has an answer from the above, then as a last resort could someone point me in the direction as to how/if/how I could claim a payment, either in the States or Australia? Because I read online that I would have to live in Australia for 10 years before I could even put a claim in. Thank you in advance for reading my post!

[PamelaR]

Hello MrDonut28

Thank you for your post. Welcome to Beyond Blue (BB) Forums. People here are friendly, caring, supportive and respect privacy. We aren't counsellors or therapist, though we are able to share our experiences with you. Beyond Blue is an organisation - promoting mental health, creating change and improving lives.

You certainly have a number of matters that you need help with. Being in a different country doesn't help I'm sure. Unfortunately I'm not able to answer all your questions, all I can suggest to you is that you do a google search for:

• Disability Employment Services
• Work subsidies for mental health

A google search may help you find some Australian and State government grant programs that you may or may not be able to access. All I can suggest is if you are not feeling like you are able to, ask you wife to phone, visit, email some of the different organisations that provide financial assistance.

Hope this is of some assistance to you.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Croix]

Dear MrDonut28~

I'm not sure anyone in this forum is qualified to answer your question about subsidized medical care. Australian citizens and some others have a right to hold a Medicare Card and receive certain benefits, including some MH treatments.

One government site

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/who-can-get-medicare-card

states that an applicant for a permanent visa who had an Australian spouse may be eligible. I'd suggest you start with that site and work from there. To the best of my knowledge psychiatrists are not directly covered but fall within an annual expenditure safety net.

I hope this helps

Croix

[blondguy]

Hi MrDonut

Its good to speak with you again!

I had to make use of a community based health care facility when my GAD was effecting my day to day well being

I didnt have to present a medicare card and the counseling was no charge too! If you can contact your local hospital and inquire about 'outpatient' treatment re mental health.

You may not have the same mental health worker every time, however its well worth asking your local council or ER department re the availability and any concerns you have re billing

We are here for you MrDonut

My kind thoughts

Paul

[MrDonut28]

Thank you for all your answers! I do have a medicare card so the healthcare side of things I do qualify for and isn't a concern for me on that issue. I was more concerned about the work side of things, such as services that might help me get a job, being that I'm on a visa. Thank you for the google searches where I can continue my effort guys!

[blondguy]

Hi MrDonut28

Thanks heaps for posting back 🙂 Good news re having a medicare card.

Where work is concerned (and with your medicare card) you can access no charge counseling through your GP, even though it not be a health professional of your choice the therapy is always a bonus especially when there is no charge

Have a great weekend and thankyou for the complimentary post too 🙂

My kind thoughts

Paul