Many women carry several roles at once: partner, parent, carer, colleague, friend. Through all of it, mental health can shift in ways that are easy to dismiss as stress. After more than 25 years in medicine, I would like every woman to know that looking after your mind is as valid as looking after your body.
Mental health can shift at many points in life. Depression and anxiety can occur during pregnancy and after a baby arrives, and they are more common than many people expect. If you feel persistently low, anxious or unlike yourself, please tell someone. PANDA runs a national helpline on 1300 726 306, Monday to Saturday, and your GP is always a good place to begin.
Hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause can influence mood, sleep and energy. If you notice patterns, such as feeling very different at certain times, it is worth discussing. Understanding what is happening often brings relief on its own, and there are options to explore together.
Living with chronic pain matters too. Pain and mood affect each other. Ongoing pain can weigh on sleep and spirits, and low mood can make pain feel harder to cope with. A GP can look at both together rather than treating them as separate problems. Sleep, gentle movement, pacing and psychological support can all be part of the conversation, alongside any medical care you already receive.
Big life transitions count as well. Starting a new job, caring for a parent, separation, loss, or children leaving home can all stir up strong feelings, even when the change is a positive one. You do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable to ask for support.
Our GPs listen first. We can provide GP Mental Health Treatment Plans, which can help you access subsidised psychological support where you are eligible, as explained in the Australian Government’s patient guide. We can also arrange specialist referrals when needed, and we will review how you are going along the way. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and you deserve support that suits your life.
How we can help
You are welcome to book at Haan Health Medical Centre, Level 1, 24 Victoria Square, Broadbeach. We offer bulk billing for eligible patients and services, so please call (07) 5531 6033 to confirm for your visit. If you need urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.
Principal General Practitioner and Director, Haan Health Medical Centre
AHPRA registration number: MED0000987267