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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Who should I talk to if I'm feeling depressed?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health
    I have been feeling extremely sad and hopeless over the past few months. I do not enjoy things I used to enjoy such as running, cooking and spending time with my children. I feel ashamed to tell my friends and am scared for my children to find out. Who should I go to?
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  • Bhakti Das David Gotlieb

    Counsellor

    Leisa brings understandng, compassion and surgical precision that gets results for his clients.He developed ‘Healing Inner Conflict’ a simple, fast and effective tool for dealing … View Profile

    Grant's answer above certainly covers all the bases as far as who to call, so I thought I'd cover some backgroud issues that may be helpful. In my 30 years of experience I have never met anyone who is sad for NO reason, although plenty who have no PRESENT moment reason for feeling sad. In other words, the highest likelhood is that there IS something that you are sad about and probably one or many things that you feel hopeless about. Because we are conditioned to put everything to the side of our plate and soldier on, these feelings often get sidelined until they pop out when we least expect them and they SEEM to be out of context. This is good thing in the long run, even though nobody would wish the discomfort on you now, as it forces you to adress what's obviously there. Hopefully, whoever you find to help you will allow you to join the dots so you begin to understand how the sadness and hopelessness got there and help you intervene effectively with positive outcomes internally and externally. The issue of not feeling comfortable to tell others about your predicament is also worth exploring as it leaves you so isolated at your time of most need. This is likely to be conditioning also. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more insight. Good Luck

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  • Georgina Watts

    Counsellor, Psychotherapist

    I am passionate about journeying with people on their road to wholeness. I work with males and females who are needing to work on self … View Profile

    I agree with the previous two posts: make an appointment to see a doctor about how you are feeling and they may refer you to a psychologist (hopefully with a mental health plan). 

    Counsellors are also able to help but very few are covered by mental health plans.

    Possibly also contacting Beyond Blue would be helpful. Otherwise i would suggest friends. One of the problems with depression can be that people isolate themselves from their friends and family due to shame, embarrasment, not wanting to be a burden or make too big a fuss. However during these times of feeling "extremely sad and hopeless" it is vital for you to have support. It's hard to feel motivated to make that first contact with a professional but please know you are worth it.

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  • Margie Ulbrick

    Counsellor

    I am a Melbourne Relationship Counsellor and Family Lawyer who is skilful in helping people get out of the pain of relationship distress and create … View Profile

    Thank you for reaching out on this webiste. It is not easy to do so and it is an act of courage to ask for help. It is also very wise to get the help you need when things get too much and important both for yourself and for your children. I think it could be good to speak to a GP or maybe you can find someone on this website directory that you feel would be a good person to help you. You do not need to suffer alone and talking to a professional is a good proactive step to get you back on track, feeling more in charge of your life again and like you can manage your children. It is important to speak to someone so you do not feel so alone with it all. Good luck.

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