In This Article
- Looking for Depression Help? Understanding your treatment options
- Care for Depression that respects your experience
- Understanding Depression and it's Impact
- The Path to Healing is not always a Straight Line
- When might you need additional help
- What treatment options are available for Depression
- How inpatient treatment can help people living with Depression
- Why choose Hospital-based Mental Health care?
- Finding Depression help in Melbourne
- Taking the Next Step
Looking for Depression Help? Understanding your treatment options
If depression is still affecting your daily life, it may be time to consider whether you need a different level of support.
Depression can be complex, and different levels of support may be needed at different times. Some people benefit from support through a GP, psychologist within the community, while others may need a higher level of care. Needing more support does not mean that you have failed or that the care you have already received has not been valuable. It may simply mean that your needs or circumstances have changed.
This article explains when additional support may be useful, the treatment options that may be available, and how to find depression help in Melbourne.
Care for Depression that respects your experience
Depression can make the world feel dimmer, heavier, or more challenging to navigate—but you do not have to manage it alone.
You do not have to decide alone
If depression is still affecting your daily life, a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist can help you review what support is working, what has changed, and whether a more structured treatment pathway may be appropriate.
Understanding Depression and Its Impact
Depression is more than feeling sad or having a challenging week. It can affect the way you feel, think and behave, and it may also have physical effects. Changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest, withdrawal from other people and reduced motivation can all make everyday life harder.
The experience is different for each person. For some, symptoms may be mild but persistent. For others, depression may significantly disrupt work, study, relationships, self-care or regular routines. Symptoms can also change over time, which is why the level of support that was helpful previously may not always be enough now.
The Path to Healing is not always a Straight Line.
There may be periods when symptoms are easier to manage and periods when additional depression help is needed. A health professional can assess what you are experiencing and discuss treatment options that are appropriate for your circumstances.
Two pathways discussed in more detail below may include:
- Day Programs
Day Programs may be an option if you are looking to re-engage with structured support while still living at home. Options at Fullarton Clinic include the DBT Skills, Art Therapy and the enAct Day Program. - Inpatient Care
Inpatient care may be appropriate when a higher level of structure, clinical support and time away from everyday pressures is needed.
When might you need additional Depression help?
It may be worth speaking with your treating team about additional support if:
- Your symptoms become more challenging despite current treatment
- Work, study, relationships or household responsibilities are becoming harder to manage
- Sleep, appetite, energy or concentration problems are affecting daily functioning
- You are experiencing burnout or significant fatigue
- You are withdrawing from people or activities that would usually matter to you
These signs may indicate that it is worth reviewing your current support with a GP or psychiatrist. Different stages of mental health can call for different levels of support, and a treatment review can help identify the most appropriate next step.
What Treatment Options are Available for Depression?
There is no single approach that suits everyone. Depression treatment may involve one or more options, with care adjusted over time according to your symptoms, preferences, health and circumstances.
Support Through Your GP
A GP is often a practical starting point for depression help. Your doctor can discuss your symptoms, check for physical health issues that may be contributing, explain treatment pathways and refer you to other mental health professionals where appropriate.
Psychology and Counselling
Psychological therapies can help you understand patterns in thoughts, feelings and behaviour, develop coping strategies and respond differently to difficult situations. The approach used will depend on your needs and the clinician’s assessment.
Psychiatric Care
A psychiatrist is a medical specialist who can assess mental health conditions and recommend treatment. Psychiatric care may be considered when symptoms are more complex, severe, recurring or not improving as expected.
Medication
Medication may form part of treatment for some people, particularly when symptoms are moderate or severe. Decisions about starting, changing or stopping medication should be made with a doctor. Do not stop prescribed antidepressants suddenly without medical advice.
Group Programs and Structured Support
Group-based treatment can provide a structured way to learn practical skills, practise strategies and hear different perspectives. Depending on the program, topics may include managing difficult emotions, stress, relationships, maintaining healthy routines and planning for setbacks.
Mental Health Rehabilitation
Mental health rehabilitation provides structured treatment and support focused on managing symptoms and their impact on everyday life. It may be delivered through inpatient care, day programs or other services, depending on clinical need.
Advanced Depression Treatment Options
For some people, depression may not improve as expected with standard treatment approaches. In these circumstances, a psychiatrist may discuss advanced treatment options such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or Esketamine, depending on clinical need, treatment history and suitability.
How inpatient treatment can help people living with depression?
When regular outpatient appointments are not providing enough support, mental health rehabilitation may offer greater structure and clinical oversight.
In an inpatient setting, a person can step away from some everyday pressures and focus more closely on treatment in a hospital environment.
At Fullarton Clinic, inpatient mental health treatment is overseen by an admitting psychiatrist and supported by a multidisciplinary team. Treatment for depression can also include support for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or dual diagnosis.
Treatment may focus on understanding symptoms, developing practical coping strategies, improving emotional regulation and planning for ongoing care. It is about providing an appropriate level of care and helping each person build skills and supports for daily life.
Why Choose Hospital-Based Mental Health Care?
There are different options available when you need more intensive mental health support, including inpatient hospitals, residential programs and mental health retreats.
While these services can sometimes appear similar, the clinical care provided and funding arrangements can be quite different. Retreats and other residential programs, for example, may require you to fund the full cost of your stay.
Fullarton Clinic is a private mental health hospital. Your treatment takes place in a purpose-built, new hospital that’s fully accredited and registered. Psychiatrist-led treatment and 24-hour nursing support on site.
Patients with private health insurance (including psychiatric cover) find treatment may cover most or all of the cost of inpatient care. However, your level of cover and any out-of-pocket costs will depend on your health fund, policy and individual circumstances. Our Intake Team can help you understand your funding options before admission.
Finding Depression Help in Melbourne
If you are looking for depression help in Melbourne, the right starting point will depend on your current supports and how much depression is affecting daily life.
A longer GP appointment can be a useful first step. Your GP can review what has changed, what treatment you have tried and whether a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or structured program may be appropriate.
If you would like to explore care at Fullarton Clinic, ask your GP or treating psychiatrist about a referral. Inpatient mental health care requires support from a psychiatrist with admitting rights, and the Intake Team can help explain the next steps.
Fullarton Clinic provides inpatient treatment, Day Programs, outpatient psychiatry and specialised treatments in Epping, in Melbourne’s north. The most appropriate pathway will depend on clinical assessment.
Taking the Next Step
If depression is still affecting daily life, a useful next step is to speak with your GP or psychiatrist about what has changed and what level of support may be appropriate.
Reviewing your treatment can help identify whether additional support, a structured program or hospital-based care may be suitable.
To learn more about mental health rehabilitation and hospital-based mental health care in Melbourne, speak with your GP or psychiatrist, call the Fullarton Clinic Intake Team on 1300 377 464, or complete the online enquiry form.
References
- Hooke G. R., Savani P., Stewart B., Araujo S., & Page A. C. (2022): Illustrating routine outcomes monitoring at different points in a patient's journey: Inpatient then daypatient treatment of a patient with depressive and borderline symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78(10), 2041–2053. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9546316/