Support in Melbourne?

[Miss-Anne-Throwpy]

Does anyone know psychologists who bulk bill? I don't have a healthcare card. I don't have any money either.

GP was so horrible to me today. I've called and emailed and googled so many places. I don't think there is anyone in this entire state who will actually help me. I don't usually ask for help. Guess I now realise that's just as well.

[Pixie15]

Hi Miss-Anne-Throwy,

There is a women's advocacy group in Melbourne (Wire) which may be able to help you. You can search them on line and chat live or call 1300 134 130. I have not used the service myself but know another women who has been helped. 

Hope you find the help you need.

Pixie.

[Miss-Anne-Throwpy]

Hi and thanks everyone.

ChrisB, I called a lot of so called support numbers, researched the internet and asked around. Given my state of mind I think that was a grand effort. Shame I came up with a big fat zero and most of the people sounded less than enthused about helping.

In the end you know what I have to do? Travel 2.5 hours each way to see someone who will bulk bill me. I don't get your police against sharing resources and information.

[Chris_B]

Hi Miss Anne, I'm glad to hear you have found a practitioner that will bulk bill even though it involves a frustrating amount of travel.

beyondblue is currently working to reduce barriers to accessing mental health services, improve the experience of accessing mental health care as well as encourage help seeking. For example, in terms of improving access to services, beyondblue is piloting new service models such as our NewAccess program which is free of charge. On a broader level, we will continue to work towards improved access to treatment and care and appreciate the feedback you have provided on access to psychologists. It helps to inform to our work. 

With regard to asking for recommendations for doctors here on the forums, we can’t allow this as it is a form of advertising. We need this rule due to the anonymity of the forums – unfortunately some people will join forums in order to recommend treatments that will benefit them commercially, and we can’t guarantee for our other members that advice given about a particular practitioner or organisation is unbiased.

Our support service is also available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636. The service is delivered by trained mental health professionals and can provide support, information and advice. If you've had a less than satisfactory experience with our service, then please let us know about this.

[Miss-Anne-Throwpy]

Thanks ChrisB. Hopefully this week will be better than last week, etc. If my response to your reply sounded harsh (reviewing), I apologise.Yes, it is frustrating when people or functions set up to support do exactly the opposite when needed the most.

I hope you're work breaks some ground.

[Chris_B]

A colleague today has told me about the ATAPs program, which does allow for a certain number of fully-funded sessions with a psychologist if you meet certain criteria. The program is administered through Medicare Locals.  There's more information on this program here.

[Miss-Anne-Throwpy]

Thank you, Chris.

I'll need to make enquiries though as doesn't outline eligibility criteria in the first instance. It's going to be kinda hard to see my psychologist due to their hours. It appears they've reigned in their opening hours and I'll need to discuss after hours sessions. So a more local alternative would be a relief from that issue, so I sincerely thank you again.

[Nickname_BF22F7B3-F719-4F]

Hi,

I'm just new to this group, I came across it as I'm studying mental health and I also suffer bouts of depression and anxiety.  I know I'm replying too late to your question as it seems you may have found a solution but as I have spent the last 3 years as a medical practice manager I thought offering a solution may help someone else if they came across this forum. GP's can do a care plan called a Mental Health plan which qualifies you for the 10 free visits to a psychologist that is registered under what they call the ATAPs programme. So if your doctor doesn't bulk bill, yes you would first need to find a doctor who will bulk bill the session to have the plan done, otherwise it costs anywhere from $70-$140 as it is billed on a time basis. The Mental Health plan is just a series of questions that are on the GP's software and it then gives what is known as a K10 score which helps determine the degree of your depression/anxiety. The clinic you get the plan done should be able to give you the contact details to an ATAPS registered psychologist, if they can't, google Melbourne Primary Health Network they are distributed throughout the different regions in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia and they focus on supporting all sorts of health clinic's and they will definitely advise you on your closest ATAPS psyccholigist.

Hope this helps 🙂