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What is mental health?

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What is mental health?

Mental health is a state of mental wellbeing. Good mental health enables people to cope with the stresses of life, reach their goals, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.1

Your mental health affects nearly everything in your life – how you think about your work or study, your relationships, and yourself. It is common to have times when your mental health isn’t good. Around 1 in 2 people will have struggles with their mental health at some point in their life. Taking time to look after our mental wellbeing is as important as keeping our body healthy.  

How does mental health relate to heart health?

Heart health and mental health are connected. People with a mental health condition can have an increased risk of heart conditions, and living with a heart condition can impact your mental health. Want to know more? Read our blog.

Learn about the connection between mental health and heart health with Dr Rosemary Higgins;

How mental health and heart health are connected

A mature woman in blue v neck sweater is holding her son's hand
Cardiac blues

It’s common to experience a range of emotions after a heart event, and support is available if these feelings don’t improve.

Close-up of a person sitting with hands clasping the sleeve of a knitted jumper, resting on their lap.
Anxiety

Learn about anxiety and how it can affect your health, with guidance on managing it and finding support.

woman taking care of a man
Depression

Learn about depression, how it can affect daily life and heart health, and find trusted guidance and support to help manage your wellbeing.

Person seated at a desk with hands covering their face while looking at a computer screen.
Stress

Learn how stress affects your health and when to seek support.

Person sitting alone on a park bench beside a lake.
Social isolation & loneliness

Feeling disconnected from others can affect both mental wellbeing and heart health.

A healthcare professional speaking with an older person during a consultation, holding a tablet.
Who to contact

These organisations offer different types of mental health and wellbeing support.

Accessing professional mental health support

If you have concerns about your mental wellbeing, and it is not a crisis, it’s best to see your GP. They will work with you to decide what might help. This could include: 

  • completing a mental health assessment
  • creating a mental health treatment plan 
  • referring you to a psychologist or mental health professional
  • discussing prescription medicines to help with depression and anxiety.

A mental health treatment plan lets you claim a Medicare rebate on up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional each year. Trained psychologists or other mental health professionals provide psychological therapy and counselling. They help people understand and manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviours.  

Some mental health professionals set their own fees, so Medicare may only cover some of the cost. When booking an appointment, ask how much Medicare will cover, and how much you will need to pay. If they bulk bill, you won’t have to pay anything. Some private health insurers also cover psychologist fees – check with your health insurer for more information. 

Where to find support 

If your emotions are affecting your daily life after a heart event or stroke, seek professional guidance and support. Check in with your GP and healthcare team to help manage your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

For crisis support, call: 

  • Triple Zero (000), if you are experiencing a mental health emergency
  • Lifeline (13 11 14) for confidential crisis support via phone, text or online chat
  • 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 for a 24/7 Australia-wide phone and online counselling support for people affected by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues

Medicare Mental Health 

A free service that connects you with a Medicare Mental Health Centre in your area and provides information online. Call 1800 595 212 or visit the Medicare Mental Health website. 

For general support:

Get mental health support from Beyond Blue by calling 1300 22 4636 or chatting online to a counsellor. Visit the Beyond Blue website for more information about mental health treatment and management, or to find a mental health professional in your area.

Access online resources focusing on social, emotional and cultural wellbeing for First Nations peoples on the WellMob website.

Rural mental health services are listed in this help sheet from the National Rural Health Alliance.

To access the Cardiac Psychology Clinic of NeuroCentrix (formerly part of the Australian Centre for Heart Health), phone 03 9546 0009 or register on their website.

Find online tools and mobile apps to support mental health and wellbeing on the Black Dog Institute website.

Heart and Stroke support programs

MyHeart MyLife – the Heart Foundation’s free support program for people living with heart disease and those who care for them. 

Enable Me – the Stroke Foundation’s support program for the Australian stroke community. The Stroke Foundation also has StrokeLine: free advice about stroke from health professionals. Call 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au

Peer support groups

Peer support refers to the emotional and social support provided by a group or community of people with something in common. People share their experiences and give and receive encouragement. Joining a peer support group can help you feel less alone.  

MyHeart MyLife community – an online group to support those living with a heart condition and their loved ones and carers.

Stroke support groups – support groups across Australia for people who have experienced a stroke.

A heart event (or a stroke) can happen suddenly. The road to recovery can be an emotional experience, not just for the individual, but for the person caring for them as well. Your loved one will need a lot of support. Talk to them about how they’re feeling or coping. Encourage them to speak to their GP about their mental health so they can access the support they need.

Becoming a carer can be daunting, especially if you haven’t been in that role before. Be aware of your emotions too. Along with positive feelings of love, care and gratitude, it’s normal to feel angry, frustrated or sad. A bit of extra support can make a big difference. You can access support services through the Carer Gateway, Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres or reach out to your GP.

The Medicare Mental Health website also provides advice for carers on how to support someone with a mental health condition.

Read more about financial support for carers. 

These mental health resources have been developed as part of the Mind CVD project – and initiative of the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Stroke Foundation in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Heart Health. The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Mind CVD aims to support Australians recovering from a cardiovascular event (including stroke), as well as their carers, by improving access to information and resources that promote mental wellbeing.

If you’re a health professional, you can find more information on coronary heart disease and mental health here. 

1. World Health Organisation. Mental Health. 2025. Accessed 24 March 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

Murphy B, Rogerson M, Jackson A. Mental health conditions post-cardiac event and post-stroke: a scoping review. 2022, Australian Centre for Heart Health, Melbourne, Australia.

Cunningham R, Poppe K, Peterson D, Every-Palmer S, Soosay I, Jackson R. Prediction of cardiovascular disease risk among people with severe mental illness: a cohort study. PLoS One. 2019;14(9):e0221521.

Andrews G, Bell C, Boyce P, et al. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2018;52(12):1109-1172.

Malhi GS, Bell E, Bassett D, et al. The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2021;55(1):7-117. 

Kwok CS, Kontopantelis E, Kuligowski G, et al. Self-reported sleep duration and quality and cardiovascular disease and mortality: a dose-response meta-analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 7(15);e008552. 

Last updated30 April 2026