For 24/7 Mental Health Support, members with health insurance can call 1800 644 325 at no extra cost.~ Find out more here.

Knowing when to seek support

Understanding the signs and symptoms of a mental health issue.

When is a problem more than a problem?

We’ve all had bad days. But what happens when that bad day turns into a bad week, sleepless nights, or a reluctance to leave the home? What are the warning signs to look out for, and at what point should you seek support?
Here we’ll take you through the signs and symptoms of a mental health issue, so you have a better understanding of when you may need to seek support. 

Jump to section: When to seek help for you | When to seek help for your child

Not sure if it's more than just a bad week? Medibank Mental Health Support can help.

Medibank health insurance members can talk to a mental health professional any time of the day or night at no extra cost.~  Watch our Mental Health Support staff talk about when to reach out for support. 

 

When something isn't quite right

Knowing when a problem turns into something more serious is key to getting the right support at the right time. We’ll help you understand the difference between feeling sad or anxious, versus depression and anxiety

Sad troubled hispanic school boy teenager wearing a hoodie posing outdoor - close up stock photo

Sadness vs depression         

Depression and sadness have some things in common, but they're quite different. Here's how to tell the difference between the two.

two young women sitting on grass hugging rear view

Am I just worried, or is it anxiety?

Feeling anxious or worried is part of everyday life. But when is it something more? Beyond Blue explains what's healthy when it comes to feeling anxious.

Negative thought patterns

What happens when negative thoughts start to consume your day? Here’s our guide to negative thought patterns and how to deal with them.

Beautiful young woman with long hair and coat sitting on the stairs at the door, thinking and looking around.

Weather and mood                  

Many people seem to experience changes in mood, energy, motivation and sleep during winter. Discover the reasons for this and what you can do about it.

Is your drinking causing you hangxiety?

What is hangxiety?

If you’ve ever woken up after a big night and felt a sense of dread, you could be suffering from ‘hangxiety’. The good news is there are things you can do to stop it happening again.         

Signs your child might need some support 

Every stage of childhood presents its unique challenges. From early childhood to teenage years, we’ll break down the signs and symptoms to look out for in our young people, what to do, and where to get support. 

A young girl looks at her smartphone.

Caring for your child's mental health

It’s normal to see changes in your child’s behaviours and emotions as they grow up but if you’re noticing significant differences in their mood or behaviour, they may need some extra support. Here are some tips about what to do.

Supporting mental health through early childhood

Promoting good mental health is key to your child’s development through their primary school years. Here’s how can you make sure they’re getting what they need and how to spot the signs that they might be struggling.

Cropped shot of a group of teen girls sitting on a wooden jetty drinking bottles of a pink alcoholic beverage

Is your child drinking too much?

Binge drinking is a common problem in Australia, and young adults tend to be more at risk. It can be difficult to know when drinking is a problem for your child, and what to do about it. Here's how to start the conversation.

Teenager friends walking down the city going to school in the morning.

Is your adult child experiencing a mental health issue?

Young adults can feel stressed, anxious and irritable sometimes. Here are some things to look out for when it comes to depression and anxiety.

Depression in children                                   

Discover what to look out for, what you can do and where to get help for children with depression.

Anxiety in children                                 

Fearful and anxious behaviour is common in children, but when do they need extra support? Find out what to look for, and what you can do to help your child.

Understanding mental health conditions

Better Minds are better informed. Our resources and information page will give you a better understanding about various mental health conditions, including symptoms, causes, treatment and support options available. 

Make the most of your cover 

As an eligible Medibank member, you get more than just health insurance. You get extra support when you need it most. 

Medibank Better Minds App 

Want to manage your mental health on your own terms, in your own time? Medibank’s Better Minds app provides personalised support and follow ups by health professionals for those at risk, all included in your hospital cover.

No waiting periods on psychology and counselling consultations

You shouldn’t have to wait for your health insurance to claim for mental health support. That’s why there are no waiting periods for counselling and psychology consultations on Medibank extras and packaged products.§

Mental Health Waiver

With the Mental Health Waiver, eligible hospital members with Restricted psychiatric services can upgrade to a cover with Included psychiatric services and choose to have the standard two-month waiting period waived. Members can use the Mental Health Waiver once in their lifetime.

Things you need to know

~ Some referred services may involve out of pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.

Not available for members with extras only cover, Overseas Student Health Cover or Overseas Workers or Visitors Health Cover.

§ For members with mental health support included in their Extras cover. Annual limits apply. Counsellors must be registered with Australian Counselling Association, Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Australian Traditional Medicine Society.   

While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).