The GP’s Guide to PTSD: assessment, care planning, and follow-up
An Australian GP’s comprehensive guide to PTSD: recognition, screening, MHCP workflows, evidence-based therapies, safety, and AI-enabled documentation.
Read article →Mental Health in General Practice
Mental health presentations are among the most common and complex consultations in Australian general practice.
From depression and anxiety to trauma, ADHD, and psychosocial stressors, GPs are often the first and most consistent point of care for patients navigating mental health challenges.
This hub brings together practical articles on:
- Mental Health Care Plans (MHCP)
- Mental state examination (MSE)
- Risk assessment and safety planning
- Structured documentation
- Review and follow-up workflows
- Medicare compliance and item numbers
The goal is simple: help GPs turn complex mental health presentations into clear, structured, and clinically useful care plans that support patient safety and continuity of care.
Below you'll find guides and resources exploring mental health assessment and documentation in general practice.
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More Than Just Depression: Why the Diagnosis Is Often Only the Beginning
Many patients labelled with depression are actually struggling with trauma, neurological conditions, chronic illness, or social hardship. A GP explains why mental health care requires looking beyond a single diagnosis.
depressionmental health care plantrauma
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MHCP: 10 Psychology Sessions Guide (Mental Health Care Plan Explained)
A GP explains how to access 10 Medicare psychology sessions through a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), including how tools like the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21 PDF) are used.
mental health care planMHCP10 psychology sessions
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What If the Mental Health History Was Done Before the Consult?
GP consults are often consumed by history-taking, yet key details are still missed. What if patients could share their full story safely at home before the appointment?
mental healthMHCPGP workflow
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Mental Health Consultation in General Practice: Structuring the MHCP With AI
A practical guide for Australian GPs on structuring mental health consultations into compliant MHCPs using AI — covering risk assessment, Better Access, and documentation without the after-hours burden.
mental health care planMHCPAI scribe GP
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Is It Legal for Employers to Ask About Mental Health? — The Clinically Grounded Employment Question Australian GPs Face Daily
Is It Legal for Employers to Ask About Mental Health? Learn how Australian GPs can respond to employer requests, protect patient rights, and streamline documentation.
Is It Legal for Employers to Ask About Mental Health?primary caregeneral practice
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How AI Scribes Are Transforming Mental Health Care Plans
AI scribes and AI agents are changing how GPs create Mental Health Care Plans by capturing history, organising notes, and tracking psychometric tools like K10 and PCL-5 over time.
AI scribe mental healthMHCP AI Australiamental health care plan AI
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Depression in General Practice: A Practical Guide for Australian GPs
A practical guide for Australian GPs on recognising, assessing, and managing depression in general practice, including screening tools, treatment options, and care planning.
depression general practicedepression treatment GPMHCP depression
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Guide to Autism in Australian general practice
A practical, GP-focused guide to autism recognition, assessment pathways, and team-based management in Australian general practice.
autismprimary caregeneral practice
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ADHD: A Practical Guide for Australian GPs
A practical GP guide to recognising ADHD in children and adults in Australian general practice, including diagnosis pathways, assessment tools, and treatment options.
ADHD adultsADHD childrenADHD diagnosis Australia
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5 Steps to Review Persistent Depression in General Practice
A practical 5-step framework for GPs to review persistent depression — beyond just prescribing SSRIs.
persistent depressionmental health GPMHCP
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5 Steps to Manage Complex Mental Health Patients in General Practice
A structured 5-step framework for Australian GPs to manage complex mental health patients — covering full history, clear problem definition, SMART goal setting, task planning, and MHCP documentation.
complex mental health GPMHCP Australiamental health care plan
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