Navigating a confusing and complex mental health system: a guide to care

It's not always clear what sort of mental health care is the right care. What can you expect from different levels of care, and where can you find it?

Between the GP and the emergency department, there are many different mental health care options but it's not always clear which will best suit any person's individual needs.

As the majority of respondents to Guardian Australia's reader callout told us about their interactions with the mental health system, the system is very complex and hard to navigate, with confusing options for different types of care. Trying to find the appropriate care was often trial and error and time-consuming.