Fortunately, Mark’s doctor was able to steer him in the right direction by designing a treatment plan that included a referral to a psychologist and a six-month period of medication.
‘A GP will give you a basic assessment, put you in touch with the right professionals, and they might prescribe medication, but it depends on the situation,’ Mark says.
Seeking advice or treatment is as straightforward as booking a standard appointment with a GP (this doesn’t have to be your usual doctor) and asking about your symptoms, but for those suffering from mental illness it can be daunting to take the first step.
‘That’s what prompted me to become a beyondblue speaker,’ says Mark. He hopes his advocacy work helps to not just show people why it’s important to speak up, but also teaches them how.
Coming back from the place he’d found himself in wasn’t easy, nor did it happen overnight: ‘I started expressing myself to the people around me and I got support from them, especially my best friend Chris who kept inviting me over for dinner even though I always said no.’