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Understanding mental health
Learn more about mental health and how it can affect you or the people you care about.
Whether you’re looking for mental health support for yourself, someone you care about, or just trying to improve your wellbeing , Head to Health is a good place to start.
1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) is a confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact to Queensland Health mental health services.
You can also call the following crisis and support helplines, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
While assessment and treatment for mental illness generally occurs in the community, some people may need to get treatment or care in hospital. This can be at an authorised mental health service, which are hospitals or health services authorised under the Mental Health Act 2016.
Admission to a mental health service is usually only needed for people who need intensive help and support to manage their mental illness. The aim is to help people return to the community with the right level of support to manage their recovery.
For most people, admission to a mental health service is planned between themselves and their doctor or mental health care specialist. For others, it can occur if a person in a mental health crisis requires immediate treatment and needs to be admitted to hospital to assess and manage risk and alleviate distress.
Admission to an authorised mental health service may be voluntary or involuntary.
Whether a person needs involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act 2016 depends on:
If you're admitted to an authorised mental health service, your doctor and treating team will do a thorough assessment of your needs. The assessment involves getting information from you, and where appropriate, your family, carers, and any health care providers about your:
The assessment will help you and your treating team develop your treatment, care planning and recovery including ways to:
The types of treatment you may get in hospital will depend on your needs but can include:
In some cases, a person's mental illness may stop them from recognising that they require help or an admission to hospital. It may be appropriate for the person to be assessed and treated without their consent.
The Mental Health Act 2016 sets out the rights of people who are treated involuntarily under a treatment authority.
Learn more about being treated under the Mental Health Act 2016.
Learn more about mental health and how it can affect you or the people you care about.
Get help and support by finding mental health services and treatment options that are available around Queensland.
Understand your rights and the support services that can help when you're being treated for a mental illness.