07 Dec 2017

Talking to new people is scary for most of us, regardless of the context. Starting a new job, going for drinks with a new acquaintance, heck, even ordering at an unfamiliar café or brunch spot. All of these come with questions and anxiety and uncertainty. But all of this tends to ramp up when it comes to mental health, because it’s SCARY and a DISASTER and you will PROBABLY DIE.

Well, not really. I mean, I’m amazing at catastrophizing, and I could probably think of more ways a trip to the supermarket could end in death than items in said supermarket. But like the trip to the supermarket, chatting to a mental health professional is a pretty essential thing for many (even most) people.When we asked you guys about your mental health, 51% of you said you had either seen a mental health professional in the last year or thought you needed to.

To add some order to the terrifying confusion of your first appointment, check out the list of FAQs below. I promise there’s not a disaster in sight, and hopefully some of these points will help you to find a smoother and less stressful path to getting support.

1. What kind of person do I need to talk to?

Counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, GP, youth worker, social worker-all these people can be handy for extra support when your brain starts getting away from you. The best place to start is usually a GP, as they can link you with services, evaluate your risk, de-mystify what you’re feeling, and also give referrals if needed.

2. Do I need to tell people I’m going to see someone?

The short answer here is it’s up to you. You go Glen Coco. Sometimes people you know can be great supporters and help you to feel like you’re not hiding your struggles. Other times, it might make things more complicated or expose you to questioning you don’t want to deal with.

3. Are there couches?

Good question my comfort-concerned friend. This will depend on where you go, but actually, stereotypes hold true here, and most facilities will, at the very, least have squishy comfy chairs.

4. What is safe to talk about?

Technically everything! A mental health professional is there to listen and not judge. This means that they can’t treat you differently for things like sexuality, gender, political opinions, family background, and so on. However, some things come under confidentiality agreements meaning not all information will necessarily stay between you and your professional.

5. Wait, so what I say won’t be kept a secret??

Don’t worry, this won’t turn into a gossip sesh, and in fact, most of the time everything you say stays only with the person you talk to. At the start of your session your chosen professional should give you a confidentiality agreement to read and sign (oooh, very adult). This sounds scary, but is in fact a really helpful thing. It usually says something along the lines of “this is a safe confidential space, but if we think that you or someone else is in danger for any reason, we may need to talk to other people. But we will chat to you first about that.” So essentially, it is super unlikely anyone else will have to be brought into it, and if they are, you will be informed and taken care of every step of the way. No-one is out to get you, and you will always have as much autonomy as possible.

6. Can I take a friend?

The answer to this is almost always yes! Party party! Just double-check with/inform your professional before you go. And then bring along your boss support crew.

7. Do I have to come back?

Nope! If you do one session and don’t want to return for any reason, you can throw in the towel and slink off into the night, never to be seen again. But don’t give up on the whole system just yet – you might have to try a few different people before you land on one you can really trust. Finding care that works is different for everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with it taking a few goes.

8. I’ve gone and seen someone, but now I feel drained and exhausted. What do I do?

In situations like these, your emotions are running high and your brain is working overtime, and afterwards you can feel a little overwhelmed. Try to do some self-care activities, and don’t schedule in a hectic day after your session (especially your first). If you’re worried about this, bring it up, and your professional will give you specific tips and tricks.

Look at that, you made it through the article! Hopefully it answered some questions and zapped the doubts and fear that come with those. The great thing about these days is that people are pretty clued up about mental health, and you will be supported every step of the way.

If you’re having a hard time, reach out to beyondblue 24/7 by calling 1300 22 4636, chat to someone online, or check their forum.