During Mental Health Week (9 – 15 October 2011), ACT Medicare Local is encouraging Canberrans to see their local family doctor if they feel anxious or depressed.
“As a GP, I’m often the first person my patients talk to about the troubles they are facing. Frequently patients tell me they feel uncomfortable bringing it up with their friend or family,” said Dr Rashmi Sharma, ACT Medicare Local Chair.
Dr Sharma said GPs can help patients see they are not alone.
The ACT Chief Health Officer’s Report 2010 found that anxiety and depression was the leading specific cause of burden of disease in the ACT. One in ten Canberrans reported psychological distress at high to very high levels.
“We know that Canberrans who have a mental health issue are significantly more likely than the rest of the ACT to report higher rates of risky alcohol drinking, smoking and inadequate physical activity levels,” said Dr Sharma.
“GPs liaise with the primary health care team to ensure all the issues faced by their patient are addressed,” said Dr Sharma.
GPs regularly refer patients to an appropriate allied health service. The national Beach Report 2009/10 found that depression was the problem most frequently referred by GPs to an allied health service (12.1%).
Just talking to your GP about how you are managing is often a good first step.