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Queensland Government
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Queensland Health
Health services > Mental health

Your Questions Answered

We know that mental health can be a confusing issue, which is why we've provided answers to the questions most frequently asked of us.

If your question isn't covered in this area, please feel free to contact us to discuss your query further.
What do I do if I'm concerned someone needs help urgently?
If the person is talking or behaving in a way that suggests they are going to hurt themselves or another person, help needs to be obtained urgently. Your safety is important. If you have been threatened or feel threatened, remove yourself to a place where you feel safe, away from the person first. You can get help by calling the police or the ambulance on 000. The police and ambulance are authorised under the Mental Health Act to make an Emergency Examination Order to allow them to take the person to the nearest authorised mental health service even if the person does not agree. Your local mental health service (link to PDF of services) can also provide you with information and advice.
What can I do if I am concerned someone may have a mental illness?
It is important to encourage the person to seek help. Talking with someone about the situation is also important for you. Your General Practitioner is a good place to start when dealing with any health problem including mental health issues.

Advice and information can also be obtained from your local mental health service. Contact the public hospital in your area to find out what services are available.

Other options for help include private psychiatrists, Community Health Centres, private mental health services, and community organisations. Go to the useful links page of this site.
What information will a mental health service need to know?
Asking questions is how services find out what is happening and how they might be able to help. Being prepared for these questions will help you feel less anxious and enable the services to assess the situation better. Here are some basic questions for you to consider:

- Is the person talking about hurting themselves or other people?
- Has the person already been diagnosed with a mental illness?
- If yes, which one?
- Who diagnosed the illness? When?
- Are they currently under the care of a Doctor or other services?
- If yes, who and what are their contact details
- Is the person willing to accept help?
- Does the person have any medical conditions?
- Is the person on any medication?
- What are these medications?
- Does the person misuse substances? (alcohol, illegal drugs, inhalants)
- What do they misuse? How often? How much?
- Describe some of the specific behaviours you are concerned about (eg. The person won’t leave the house because ASIO follows them wherever they go)
- How long have you noticed these behaviours?
- Have they got worse over time?
- What has prompted you to seek help now?
- Other general types of information will also be needed, for example,name, date of birth, address etc.
What can I do if the person refuses help?
Sometimes people don’t feel they need help or refuse to accept help. This can be a difficult situation for families and friends who are concerned about the person. In these circumstances, the Mental Health Act can be used to get help for the person even if they do not agree. Talk with your General Practitioner or your mental health service for information and advice.
What happens after the person has been assessed?
This depends on individual circumstances and how unwell the person is. In some circumstances, the person may need to be admitted to hospital where they can receive the necessary treatment in an environment where they have access to specialist staff and are safe. Other people may be okay with getting treatment and support in the community from public mental health services, private mental health practitioners, other community services or their General Practitioner.
What are Public Mental Health Services?
Specialised health services, which are specifically designed for the care and treatment of people with mental illness.

For more information or to find a service go to our find a service page.
What is a carer?
A person whose life is affected by virtue of a close relationship and a caring role with a consumer.

Carers often play a very important role to a person’s recovery. More information is available from our carer's matter website.
What is a Consumer?
A person utilising, or has utilised a mental health service.
What is mental illness?
One in five Australians will experience a mental illness. Mental illness is a term to describe a group of illnesses. Mental illness can be broadly separated into two categories- psychotic and non-psychotic.

A psychosis is a condition caused by any one of a group of illnesses that are known, or thought, to affect the brain causing changes in thinking, emotion and behaviour. People experiencing an acute stage of a psychotic illness lose touch with reality. Their ability to make sense of thoughts, feelings and external information is seriously affected. Psychotic illnesses include schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder (previously called manic depressive illness).

Everyone has experienced strong feelings of depression, sadness, tension or fear. Some people’s feelings can become so disturbing and overwhelming that they have difficulty coping with day-to-day activities. These states describe a group of mental illnesses that are called non-psychotic illnesses. They are a common experience for many people and include phobias, anxiety, some forms of depression, eating disorders, physical symptoms involving tiredness or pain, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

In this web site, we use the word "consumer" to describe a person who uses a health service. Other terms that are commonly used include "patient", "client" etc.
What is a mental health problem?
Diminished cognitive, emotional or social abilities but not to the extent that the criteria for a mental health illness are met.
What is case management?
Ensuring access to, and coordination of, the range of services necessary to meet the identified needs of a person within an integrated mental health service. People with mental illness requiring case management are usually living in the community and have long-term needs necessitating access to health and other relevant community services.
What is community treatment?
This is the provision of treatment services in a variety of community settings to people with mental disorders and severe mental health problems. These include clinic-based services, outpatient services, domiciliary and other visiting services, and consultation and liaison services to general practitioners, primary health care and private sector providers.

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Last Updated: 24 April 2008
Last Reviewed: 24 April 2008