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Mental Health Support After Hospital Discharge: Australian Guide for Patients and Carers

⚠ IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Immediate Danger: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
  • Urgent Crisis Support: For 24/7 mental health crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
  • Therapy Near Me is not a crisis or emergency response service.
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How to Cite This Guide

Version 1.2  |  Updated 1 September 2026  |  Printable A4  |  Plain English  |  Health-literacy reviewed

Introduction

Leaving hospital, an emergency department, an inpatient mental health unit, a day program or a crisis assessment service can be a difficult and overwhelming transition. This plain-English Australian guide is for patients, families and carers navigating the period shortly after discharge. It explains practical next steps, GP follow-up, Medicare pathways, private therapy, NDIS considerations, telehealth, carer support and when to seek urgent help again. If the hospital or treating team gave you a discharge plan, safety plan or follow-up instructions, follow those instructions first. This guide provides general information and does not replace advice from your treating team.

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Take a physical copy of this guide with you or hand it to a family member or carer.

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Version: 1.2 
Last updated: 01 September 2026

Printable A4
Plain-English
Health-literacy reviewed
Download the PDF guide

What this guide can help with

  • Understanding practical next steps after discharge
  • Preparing for GP follow-up
  • Arranging psychology, counselling or other support
  • Knowing when to seek urgent help
  • Supporting a family member or carer
  • Understanding Medicare, private and NDIS pathways

Before you leave hospital or shortly after discharge

The days just after a hospital stay are when support is most likely to fall through a gap. Use this checklist while you are still on the ward if you can, or as soon as you get home. Tick each item once you have it in hand, not once you have been told it is coming.

  • A written summary of your admission and a list of every medication you are now taking, including anything started, stopped or changed during your stay. Check that a copy is being sent to your GP, and keep one yourself.

  • A written plan setting out the signs that things are becoming harder for you, the steps and coping strategies that help, and the people and services you will contact. Ask for a copy you can keep on your phone as well as on paper.

  • Confirmed dates and times for your GP, psychiatrist, and any community or outreach team — not a referral you are left to chase. Ask who is responsible for arranging each one, and what happens if an appointment falls through.

  • Names and numbers that work in the evening, at weekends and on public holidays: your treating service's after-hours line, the local acute care or crisis team, and the national lines. Save them in your phone before you need them.

  • Enough supply to last until your next appointment, plus a script so you do not run out while waiting. Check that you know the dose, the timing, and what to do if you miss one.

  • With your consent, a family member or carer can be given key information and included in follow-up. This is your choice: you decide who is involved and how much is shared, and you can change that at any time.

If something on this list is missing

Ask for it before you leave the ward, while the team who treated you is still at hand. It is a reasonable thing to ask for, and far easier to sort out then than at ten o'clock on a Saturday night.

If you have already gone home and something is missing, contact the ward or the hospital's discharge team, or the service that treated you. They can send a discharge summary, confirm an appointment that was never booked, or arrange a prescription. If you are not sure who to ring, your GP can often chase it on your behalf.

The first 24–72 hours after discharge

You do not have to do everything at once. These are the few things worth getting straight in the first couple of days, split into what is worth doing today and what can wait until tomorrow or the day after.

Today

The first few hours at home

  1. Put your documents and numbers in one place

    Find your discharge summary, medication list and safety plan, and keep them together somewhere you will not have to hunt for them. Put the after-hours and crisis numbers straight into your phone contacts now, while things are calm, rather than looking for a piece of paper at two in the morning.

  2. Check your medicines with a pharmacist or prescriber

    Take your medication list to your pharmacist, or ring the prescriber, and confirm what to take, how much, when, and what each one is for. Ask what to do if you miss a dose and what side effects to watch for. Do not start, stop or change the dose of anything on your own — including anything you were taking before the admission — even if you feel better or worse than expected. Ring the prescriber first.

  3. Sort out tonight

    Getting home, something to eat, and somewhere safe to sleep. If you can, arrange for someone you trust to know you are home and to check in. If any of that is not in place, say so before you leave the ward — it is part of a safe discharge, not a favour to ask for.

Next 2–3 days

Once the first night is behind you

  1. Confirm your follow-up

    Ring each appointment to confirm the date, time and place, and whether it is in person or by telehealth. Check that any referral actually arrived — a booking made on the ward is not always a booking the clinic has received.

  2. Get the prescription filled before it runs low

    Fill your script while you still have a few days' supply in hand, not on the last tablet. If the pharmacy does not stock something, or the cost is a problem, tell them — they can often order it in, suggest a cheaper brand of the same medicine, or contact the prescriber for you.

  3. Settle the practical things

    Transport to appointments, food in the house, time off work or study, and care for children or pets. These are the things that quietly derail a follow-up plan, and most of them are easier to fix with two days' notice than two hours'.

If you cannot follow the plan, say so early

Contact your treating team or the service that discharged you if your symptoms are getting worse, if the medication does not seem right, or if something practical is in the way — no transport to an appointment, a script you cannot fill, a follow-up that never came through. None of these are reasons to wait and see, and none of them are a reason to adjust your medication yourself.

Ringing early is easier for everyone than managing a crisis later, and teams expect these calls in the first week. If you are in immediate danger, use the crisis numbers on your safety plan or emergency services.

The first week after discharge

Your GP appointment in the first week is the one that ties everything together: medication, symptoms, physical health, referrals and paperwork. It is a short appointment, so it helps to arrive with the documents in hand and a few questions already written down. Book a long appointment if you can — say it is a follow-up after a hospital stay when you ring.

Take these with you

Put them in one envelope or one folder on your phone

  • Your discharge summary

    Take your own copy even if the hospital said it would be sent. It often arrives late, and the appointment is far more useful if your GP can read it in front of you.

  • Current medication list

    Everything you are taking now, including what was started, stopped or changed in hospital, and anything you take that was not prescribed — over-the-counter medicines, supplements, herbal remedies. Bringing the actual boxes works just as well as a list.

  • Your safety plan

    So your GP knows what it says, can add their own contact details to it, and can help you update it if anything has changed since you came home.

  • Notes on how the week has gone

    A few lines are enough: sleep, appetite, mood, any side effects, and anything that worried you, with rough dates. People consistently underestimate this in the room, and notes made at the time are more reliable than memory.

  • Appointment letters and referrals

    Anything already booked or referred by the hospital, so nothing gets arranged twice and nothing is assumed to exist when it does not.

  • Work or study paperwork

    Any form that needs a doctor to complete it — a medical certificate, a leave or special consideration form, a return-to-work plan. Bring it to this appointment rather than booking a second one.

  • Medicare and concession cards

    Needed if a mental health treatment plan or referral is being prepared on the day.

Worth asking

Write the ones that matter to you at the top

  • Are these side effects expected?

    Describe what you have noticed and when it started. Ask which effects usually settle, which ones need review, and which ones mean ringing straight away. Ask before changing anything — the answer is often a different timing or dose, and that is your prescriber's call, not something to try yourself.

  • Which symptoms are part of recovery, and which are warning signs?

    Recovery after an admission is rarely a straight line. Knowing which dips are expected, and which mean contacting someone, saves a lot of second-guessing at home.

  • What should we check on my physical health?

    Some psychiatric medicines need blood tests, blood pressure, weight or other monitoring, on a schedule. Ask what applies to you, when it is due, and who is arranging it. This is also the appointment to raise sleep, alcohol, smoking and anything physical that got parked while you were unwell.

  • What referrals do I need, and who arranges them?

    Psychology, psychiatry or a community team — ask what you are eligible for, how many sessions are covered, what it will cost, and whether your GP or the hospital is making the referral. Our GP psychology referrals guide sets out how the process works.

  • Do I need a mental health treatment plan?

    A plan prepared by your GP is what unlocks Medicare rebates for psychology sessions. Ask whether one is appropriate now and what the gap fee would be. Our guide to how Medicare psychology rebates work explains what is covered.

  • Can you complete my work or study forms?

    Ask what the certificate should say, how long it should cover, and whether a graded or partial return is sensible. Ask too what your employer or institution is entitled to be told, which is usually far less than people assume.

  • Who is coordinating my care from here?

    Be clear on who holds the plan, who to contact first if things change, and whether your GP will be speaking to the hospital team or community service. Ask what happens if you need help before the next appointment.

If your GP has not received the discharge summary

This is common in the first week, and it is worth checking rather than assuming. Ask the practice to request it from the ward or the hospital's medical records team, or ring the discharge team yourself and ask them to send it through. Your own copy covers the appointment in the meantime.

The same applies to a referral the hospital said it had made. If the receiving service has no record of it, your GP can usually re-issue it or follow it up directly, rather than leaving you to chase both ends.

When to seek urgent help again

Most people have harder days in the weeks after a hospital stay, and a difficult day is not the same as a crisis. What follows is a guide to telling the two apart. If you are unsure which column you are in, treat it as the more urgent one and make the call — nobody will mind.

Right now

Call 000 or go to an emergency department

  • You are thinking about ending your life and have a plan, or have taken steps towards one.
  • You have harmed yourself, or taken more medication than prescribed, whether or not you meant to.
  • You feel you cannot keep yourself safe for the next few hours.
  • You are thinking about seriously harming someone else.
  • You are confused about where you are or what is happening, or cannot be roused properly.
  • You have a high fever with muscle stiffness, a severe rash, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, trouble breathing, a seizure, or uncontrollable movements after starting or changing a medication.

How: call 000, or ask someone with you to call. If you can get to an emergency department safely with someone else driving, go. Take your medication list and discharge summary if they are to hand, but do not delay to look for them.

Today, not next week

Contact your treating team, crisis team or GP

  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm have come back, or are getting stronger, even without a plan.
  • You have stopped sleeping almost entirely, for more than a night or two.
  • You are not eating or drinking, or cannot manage basic daily care.
  • You are hearing or seeing things other people do not, or these have got worse again.
  • Your mood or anxiety has dropped sharply over a few days, rather than drifting.
  • Side effects are frightening you, or you are thinking about stopping a medication because of them.
  • You have run out of medication, or cannot get the prescription filled.
  • You feel more unwell than when you left hospital.

How: use the crisis or after-hours number on your safety plan, your community or outreach team, or your GP. Say that you were recently discharged from hospital — it changes how urgently the call is handled.

Do not wait for your next therapy appointment

A scheduled psychology, counselling or GP appointment is not an urgent assessment, and waiting for one is not a safe plan when things are deteriorating. Those appointments are booked days or weeks ahead, the session may be the wrong length for what is happening, and your therapist may not be reachable between sessions. If you need to be assessed, use the pathways above and keep the appointment as well.

The same goes for waiting until an appointment you already have "to see if it passes". Contacting someone early is always reasonable. Teams that look after people after a hospital stay expect these calls, and would far rather hear from you on a Tuesday than respond to a crisis on a Friday night.

Seeing your GP after discharge

GP follow-up is often an important step after hospital or emergency mental health care. A GP can help connect the discharge plan with community care, medication review, referrals and practical supports.

Take these items to your GP appointment if possible

  • Your discharge summary
  • Your medication list
  • Your safety plan
  • Any hospital letters or follow-up information
  • Questions about symptoms, medication, work, study or certificates
  • Your Medicare card and NDIS details, if relevant
  • A support person, if you want one there

Questions you may want to ask your GP

Do I need a medication review?

What side effects should I watch for?

Do I need a psychiatrist referral or community mental health follow-up?

Am I eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

What should I do if symptoms return?

Do I need physical health checks, blood tests or certificates?

Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan

A Mental Health Treatment Plan may be prepared by a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician for an eligible person with a mental health condition. It may allow Medicare rebates for appointments with an eligible psychologist, mental health social worker or occupational therapist.

The plan is prepared by the doctor when clinically appropriate. A referral is then made to an eligible mental health professional. Eligible people can claim Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual and 10 group mental health treatment services per calendar year.

The initial course of individual treatment can include up to six sessions before further review and referral.

Medicare does not always cover the full fee and a gap payment may apply. Before booking, ask about the total session fee, Medicare rebate, out-of-pocket gap, payment arrangements and cancellation policy. You can also review Therapy Near Me's fees and Medicare rebates.

Medicare Mental Health and other free services

Medicare Mental Health is a free Australian Government service that can help people understand support options and connect with local services. You do not need a referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan to use the service. Call 1800 595 212 for mental health support and service navigation. Check the official website for current operating hours. Hospital outpatient or community mental health services Medicare Mental Health Centres or other local supports, where available Primary Health Network-funded services Carer Gateway and other services for families and carers

Private psychology and counselling

Some people use private therapy after discharge for non-urgent ongoing support or when public wait times are long. Depending on individual needs and clinical suitability, psychology appointments or counselling services may support adjustment, anxiety, depression, trauma-related concerns, routines and relapse-prevention planning alongside GP or psychiatrist care. Psychologists are regulated health professionals. General counselling does not usually attract a Medicare rebate unless the practitioner is also an eligible Better Access provider in another recognised profession. Ask about the practitioner's role, full fee and any eligible rebate before booking. Private therapy is not a replacement for emergency care, crisis services, medication review or psychiatric treatment when those are needed.

NDIS and psychosocial disability

Some people leaving hospital may already have an NDIS plan. Others may later explore NDIS access if a permanent impairment related to psychosocial disability substantially affects everyday life and they meet the other eligibility requirements.

The NDIS does not replace hospital care, GP care, psychiatry, medication review, crisis care or clinical treatment delivered through the health system. NDIS funding can only be used for supports that meet current NDIS requirements and are in line with the participant's plan. Provider choice and registration requirements depend on how the plan is managed and the support type. Check current NDIS rules or ask the plan manager before booking.

Psychology, counselling, social work, support coordination or other disability-related supports may be relevant depending on the person's plan, goals and support needs.

Therapy Near Me may be able to provide NDIS psychology services for eligible plan-managed or self-managed participants where the requested support is appropriate and within the participant's plan.

Support for families and carers

Families and carers often help with appointments, medication collection, transport, routines and safety planning. Support should respect the person's consent, privacy and autonomy. Ask the person what support they want. Keep the discharge plan and crisis contacts accessible. Help book or attend appointments if the person wants that support. Watch for warning signs such as worsening mood, unusual behaviour, lack of sleep, severe agitation, confusion or safety concerns. Do not put yourself at risk. If there is immediate danger, call 000. Seek support for yourself through Carer Gateway or your own GP.

Telehealth after discharge

Telehealth psychology services may be useful when travel, rural location, disability access needs, fatigue, anxiety or appointment availability make in-person support difficult. Telehealth can improve access for people in rural and remote communities. It can help people who have disability access barriers or difficulty leaving home. A private space and reliable phone or internet connection are helpful. Telehealth is not suitable for every person or situation. Telehealth is not enough when there is immediate danger, severe deterioration or a need for hospital-based care.

Questions before booking a psychologist or counsellor

  1. Is this the right kind of support for what I am dealing with?

    Describe your situation briefly, including that you have recently been in hospital, and ask whether it is something the service usually works with. Some things need a particular type of therapy, a psychiatrist, or a team rather than one practitioner, and it is better to find that out in a phone call than three sessions in.

  2. What does the service actually include, and what does it not?

    Scope varies more than people expect. Ask whether the service provides therapy only, or also assessments, reports, letters for work or study, and liaison with other clinicians. Ask too what it does not do, so you know where the edges are before you rely on it.

  3. What experience do you have with this, and with people leaving hospital?

    Ask about the practitioner's registration and their experience with your situation specifically. The period after a hospital stay has its own demands, and it is fair to ask whether they work with it regularly.

  4. How soon could I start, and how often would we meet?

    Ask what the current wait is for a first appointment and what the usual gap between sessions would be. Waiting times change week to week, so ask at the time you are booking rather than relying on a figure published somewhere. If the wait is longer than you can manage, say so and ask what else they would suggest.

  5. What will it cost me, and what can I claim back?

    Ask for the fee per session, what you can claim, and the out-of-pocket gap you would actually pay. Rebate amounts and eligibility rules change, so ask for current figures from the service in writing rather than relying on a number you have read elsewhere. If cost is a problem, say so — ask about reduced fees, bulk billing, or other options.

  6. What is kept private, and when would you share information?

    Ask what is recorded, who can see it, and what goes back to your GP or referrer. Confidentiality has limits in every service, mainly around risk of serious harm and legal obligations, and it is better to understand them at the start than to discover them later.

  7. How do you work with my other clinicians, and what do I do if things get worse between appointments?

    Ask who they would communicate with and how often, and be clear about what the service does between sessions. Most private practices are not a crisis service and cannot be reached after hours — that is normal, but you need to know it before you need to know it, so that your plan for a bad night does not depend on someone who will not be at their desk.

If a service cannot answer these clearly, that is information too. And none of this replaces urgent care: if things are deteriorating, use the escalation pathways above rather than waiting for a booking to come through.

Support while waiting for an appointment

Waiting for follow-up can be stressful. Keep following your discharge plan and seek help early if symptoms worsen.
Keep your discharge plan visible.
Attend GP or treating-team appointments.
Take medication as prescribed unless your treating clinician advises otherwise.
Keep crisis numbers available.
Ask a trusted person to check in.
Keep routines simple and prioritise sleep, food and hydration.
Contact Medicare Mental Health for help finding services.
Use carer supports if you are a family member or support person.

Do not wait for a future therapy appointment if safety is worsening. Contact your GP, treating team, local mental health crisis line, 000 or the nearest emergency department, depending on the level of urgency.

Useful Australian crisis and support contacts

Service Contact
Emergency services 000
Lifeline 13 11 14 — 24/7
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 — 24/7
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 — 24/7
13YARN 13 92 76 — 24/7
Medicare Mental Health 1800 595 212 — check current hours
Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 — check current hours
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 — 24/7
TIS National interpreter service 131 450

How Therapy Near Me may be able to help

For non-urgent support after discharge, Therapy Near Me can discuss whether telehealth psychology services , counselling services or NDIS psychology services may be appropriate, subject to practitioner availability, clinical suitability, referral requirements and funding rules. You can review fees and Medicare rebates, submit an NDIS referral or call 1800 632 763 for help with an enquiry.

Where this guide has been featured

This guide has been listed, shared or discussed by Australian professional, primary-care and community health organisations. These links are provided so readers can view the original third-party resource listings; inclusion does not imply endorsement of Therapy Near Me or its services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first after a mental health hospital discharge?

Follow the discharge plan given by the hospital or treating team. Keep your discharge summary, medication list, safety plan and follow-up appointment details somewhere easy to find. Book or confirm a GP appointment, check your medication supply and make sure you know who to contact if symptoms worsen.

Call 000 if you or someone else is in immediate danger, there is a serious risk of harm, there has been an overdose or serious self-harm, or the person cannot stay safe. You can also go to the nearest emergency department.

You may be able to claim Medicare benefits if you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral to an eligible mental health professional. Medicare may not cover the full fee, so ask about the total cost, rebate and gap payment before booking.

No. Medicare Mental Health is a free service that helps people find mental health support and connect with local services. A Mental Health Treatment Plan is prepared by an eligible doctor and may allow Medicare rebates for eligible mental health treatment services.

Some people with psychosocial disability may use NDIS funding for disability-related supports that are in line with their plan. The NDIS does not replace hospital care, GP care, psychiatry, medication review, crisis care or clinical treatment. Funding and provider requirements depend on the plan and support type.

Telehealth can be useful for some people after discharge, especially when travel, disability, rural location, anxiety or availability make in-person appointments difficult. It is not suitable for every situation. If safety is worsening or there is immediate danger, call 000 or seek urgent care instead of waiting for a telehealth appointment.

Publication details

Version 1.1 incorporated recommendations from an independent health-literacy review conducted by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health. Its feedback informed wording, structure and cultural accessibility, particularly for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

How this guide was developed

This guide was prepared using official Australian government and national not-for-profit sources. Recommendations, referral pathways, contact details and Medicare information should be checked against the specific source pages below whenever the guide is updated.

Source Used for
Healthdirect — Going home from hospitals Discharge planning and discharge summaries
Healthdirect — Mental health crisis support Crisis escalation and support pathways
Services Australia — Mental health care and Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans and session limits
Medicare Mental Health Free service navigation and local supports
NDIS disability requirements Psychosocial disability and eligibility requirements
NDIS management options Self-, plan- and NDIA-managed funding
Lifeline 24/7 crisis support
Carer Gateway Support for carers

Version history

Version Date Changes
1.0 19 June 2026 Initial publication.
1.1 15 July 2026 Updated following independent health-literacy review.
1.2 17 August 2026 Expanded the web version, corrected citation formats, repaired links and updated technical structure.

Clinically reviewed and edited by

Chantal Santacaterina

Linkedin-in

Senior Consultant Psychologist

Bachelor of Science (Psychology & Human Bioscience) (Honours), Victoria University

AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002186929

Chantal Santacaterina is a Senior Consultant Psychologist and clinical reviewer for Therapy Near Me. She reviews selected educational and service content for clinical accuracy, consumer readability, and alignment with contemporary psychological practice.

Clinically reviewed on: 31 August 2026

View Clinical Reviewer Profile →

How to cite this guide

Please cite the webpage rather than the direct PDF so readers can access the current version. Keep the full webpage URL visible and clickable in every citation format. For Harvard and Vancouver, replace the bracketed access-date text with the date you accessed the page.

Official webpage: https://therapynearme.com.au/mental-health-support-after-hospital-discharge/

Short linked attribution
[Mental Health Support After Hospital Discharge: Australian Guide for Patients and Carers](https://therapynearme.com.au/mental-health-support-after-hospital-discharge/), published by [Therapy Near Me](https://therapynearme.com.au/) (2026).

For hospitals and health services

Hospitals, GPs, psychiatrists, discharge coordinators and Primary Health Networks may share this resource with patients and families. They may:

  • Link to this webpage from a discharge portal, intranet or public resource page.
  • Distribute the PDF as part of discharge packs.
  • Include the webpage in follow-up SMS, email and printed materials.
  • Reference the guide in staff education on discharge planning.

When linking online, use the official webpage URL rather than the PDF URL.

Accessibility and feedback

This guide uses plain English, a logical heading structure, descriptive link text, mobile-friendly layouts and a printable A4 PDF. Telephone numbers should be clickable on mobile devices. People who need an interpreter can contact TIS National on 131 450.

If something is unclear, out of date or could be improved, email office@therapynearme.com.au.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information only. It is not medical advice, crisis support, legal advice or financial advice. Always follow the discharge plan and speak with a GP, psychiatrist, hospital team, case manager or treating clinician about individual circumstances. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department. Medicare rebates, NDIS funding rules, service availability and eligibility can change. Listing a government service, crisis line or support organisation does not imply endorsement by that organisation.

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