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How your GP can help
If you are struggling with your mental health, your GP is often a good first point of contact. They can listen to your concerns, discuss your symptoms, and help you decide what support you need.
Your GP can also rule out physical causes for how you are feeling, such as thyroid problems, sleep issues, or medication side effects. This can be an important step if your mood, anxiety, or stress has changed recently.
Booking an appointment
You can usually contact your GP practice by phone, through its website, or using the NHS App. Some surgeries offer same-day appointments for urgent mental health concerns, while others may ask you to book a routine appointment.
When you book, it can help to say that the appointment is about your mental health. This may allow the practice to give you a longer consultation or arrange the right clinician for your needs.
What to say at the appointment
Try to explain how you have been feeling and how long the symptoms have been going on. You might mention changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, panic, low mood, or worry.
It can also help to say how your mental health is affecting daily life. For example, you may be finding work, parenting, studying, or relationships harder than usual.
If it feels difficult to talk, you can write notes beforehand and take them with you. You can also bring someone you trust if that would help you feel more comfortable.
Support your GP may offer
Your GP may suggest talking therapies, such as NHS counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and refer you to your local service. In England, you can also self-refer to many NHS talking therapies services without seeing a GP first.
They may discuss medication if your symptoms are moderate to severe, or if other options have not helped. Your GP can explain the benefits, possible side effects, and how long treatment may take to work.
They may also give advice on sleep, exercise, reducing alcohol, and managing stress. In some cases, they may arrange follow-up appointments to monitor how you are doing.
If you need urgent help
If you feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, seek urgent help straight away. Call 999 in an emergency, or go to A&E if you need immediate support.
You can also contact NHS 111 and choose the mental health option if one is available in your area. If you are in crisis, your GP surgery may be able to direct you to a local crisis team or urgent mental health service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Access mental health support through GP means speaking to your GP about mental health concerns so they can assess your needs, offer initial support, and refer you to appropriate services if needed.
To access mental health support through GP, book an appointment with your GP practice, explain your symptoms or concerns, and ask what support, treatment, or referral options are available.
Anyone registered with a GP can usually ask for mental health support through GP, whether the issue is mild, moderate, or more severe. Your GP will decide what support is most appropriate.
You can discuss anxiety, depression, stress, panic attacks, sleep problems, low mood, trauma, bereavement, OCD, eating concerns, and other mental health difficulties when seeking access mental health support through GP.
During an appointment for access mental health support through GP, your GP will ask about your symptoms, how long they have affected you, your daily life, and any risk concerns before discussing next steps.
Yes, you can ask for urgent help through access mental health support through GP if your mental health is getting worse quickly or you feel unable to cope. Your GP may arrange urgent assessment or direct you to crisis services.
Yes, access mental health support through GP can include a referral to talking therapies such as counselling, CBT, or other psychological therapies depending on what is available locally and what suits your needs.
Yes, access mental health support through GP can include medication if your GP thinks it may help. They will explain benefits, side effects, and how to take it safely.
You usually start access mental health support through GP by booking directly with your GP practice. In many cases, the GP can then refer you to specialist services if needed.
The time it takes for access mental health support through GP varies depending on the support needed, local waiting lists, and whether urgent help is required. Some advice may be given immediately, while referrals can take longer.
Yes, access mental health support through GP can help with work-related stress. Your GP can discuss coping strategies, provide advice, and suggest treatment or referral options if stress is affecting your wellbeing.
Yes, access mental health support through GP can help if sleep problems are linked to anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health concerns. Your GP may suggest practical advice, treatment, or further assessment.
Yes, you can ask about access mental health support through GP for a child or teenager. The GP can assess concerns, offer advice, and refer to child and adolescent mental health services if appropriate.
Yes, access mental health support through GP is generally confidential. Your GP will only share information with others if it is necessary for your care, safety, or required by law.
If you do not feel comfortable discussing access mental health support through GP, you can write down your symptoms beforehand, bring someone you trust, or ask for a longer appointment if available.
Yes, access mental health support through GP can include a referral to a psychiatrist or community mental health team if your GP thinks specialist assessment or treatment is needed.
If access mental health support through GP is not enough, tell your GP that your symptoms are continuing or worsening. They may review your treatment, refer you to a specialist, or suggest crisis support if needed.
Yes, access mental health support through GP can help if you have suicidal thoughts, but this may require urgent assessment. If you are in immediate danger, seek emergency help right away.
No, you do not need a diagnosis to access mental health support through GP. You can speak to your GP about your symptoms and concerns even if you are not sure what is causing them.
To prepare for access mental health support through GP, write down your symptoms, how long they have been happening, any triggers, current medications, and what kind of support you would like to discuss.
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