In the same way that we provide professional care to our patients, it is important for dental practitioners to seek professional support for their own mental health and wellbeing. Alongside wellbeing selfcare strategies, support from family, friends and colleagues can be helpful. It is often good to talk things through, particularly with colleagues who understand the challenges that you might be facing.
It is also important to recognise when you need to seek professional support. Your trusted medical GP is always a great place to start, but sometimes it is challenging to talk about your mental health. There are a range of confidential services listed below who can provide important support and advice.
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Dental Practitioner Support is a national telephone service offering health support to dental practitioners in Australia. It is free, confidential and available 24/7. They strive to contribute to better health and wellbeing for dental practitioners, and to safer healthcare.
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The Essential Network (TEN) is designed by health professionals for health professionals with a network of support including self-guided mental health check-up; connection to one-on-one clinical care (with up to five free telehealth sessions with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist), evidence-based tools and resources including TEN’s Navigating Burnout program.
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Beyond Blue has been providing supports and services to people in Australia for 20 years. They are Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisation, focused on supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.
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Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service. They provide all Australians experiencing a personal crisis access to 24-hour crisis support. Lifeline exists so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone.
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Peer support is a way of providing emotional and wellbeing assistance where both the facilitator and participant are equals. Through this, people can connect through lived experiences. There is good evidence that peer support is an effective pre-clinical mental health intervention.
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THIS WAY UP is run by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and researchersat the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) – a joint facility of St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of New South Wales. They have 18 tailored evidence-based, internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) programs.
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Your GP can support you with a Mental Health Care Plan, and refer you to a psychologist or mental health professional. The Mental Health Care Plan helps with subsidised mental health services.
