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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.
If you’re getting treatment or care under the Mental Health Act 2016, you can speak to an Independent Patient Rights Adviser for help and advice.
All public sector authorised mental health services have appointed Independent Patient Rights Advisers. They help:
Watch our video or read our Independent Patient Rights Advisers fact sheet (PDF, 611kB) to learn more.
You can ask to talk to an Independent Patient Rights Adviser at any time by phone, email or in person.
Ask your doctor or treating team or contact your local Hospital and Health Service's Independent Patient Rights Adviser.
Find an Independent Patient Rights Adviser
The Mental Health Act 2016 recognises the importance of family, carers and other support persons.
A support person can include your family, partner, a close friend or carer. Their role under the Act can include:
Watch our video or download the support persons brochure (PDF, 3.9MB) to learn more.
The Mental Health Act 2016 requires doctors to discuss and explain the main matters about your treatment and care with your support persons, unless:
A doctor can also discuss confidential information with your support persons if:
You can appoint 1 or 2 people to be your Nominated Support Person. Nominated Support Persons have a more formal role under the Mental Health Act 2016 than a support person. They can help you if you become unwell and become an involuntary patient under the Act.
They must receive all notices that must be given to you under the Mental Health Act 2016. They can also:
Use the How to nominate a Nominated Support Person – guide and appointment form (PDF, 1.5MB) and give it to your doctor or treating team.
If you can't print the form, ask a staff member at your authorised mental health service to give you a copy of the form.
You can also ask an Independent Patient Rights Adviser for help.
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.