In short: See a doctor if stress, poor sleep or low mood has gone on for more than a couple of weeks, is affecting work or home, or you're relying on alcohol to cope. It's a normal reason to book, and it can sit inside a 30-minute men's health check. Thoughts of self-harm: call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you're thinking about harming yourself, or you're worried about your safety right now: call 000. You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78, any time. Please don't wait for an appointment.
When is it more than a rough patch?
Everyone has bad weeks. It's worth talking to a doctor when:
- low mood, irritability or flatness has lasted more than about two weeks
- you've stopped enjoying things you normally would
- sleep is poor most nights, or you're exhausted no matter how much you get
- stress is showing up at work, at home or in your body
- you're drinking more, or using something else, to switch off
- people close to you have mentioned it
None of these mean something is definitely wrong. They mean it's worth a proper conversation.
Why does sleep come up in a men's health check?
Because it's tangled up with nearly everything else. Shift work and FIFO rosters scramble it. A new baby flattens it. Snoring with pauses in breathing can point to sleep apnoea, which is worth assessing. And poor sleep and low mood tend to feed each other. A doctor can help work out which thread to pull first.
What happens if I bring it up?
The doctor asks some questions about mood, sleep, stress, alcohol and how things are going, and may use a short questionnaire. Then you talk about options. That might be a referral to a psychologist or sleep service, changes worth trying, tests to rule out physical causes, or a follow-up review. Any treatment is offered only if your doctor decides it is right for you. You stay in charge of what happens next.
Which kind of help fits right now?
| if this is you | do this |
|---|---|
| Thoughts of self-harm or worried about your safety | Call 000, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 |
| Need to talk to someone tonight | MensLine Australia, 1300 78 99 78 |
| Already seeing a psychologist or GP for this | Keep going, and tell them how it's tracking |
| Under 18 | See a GP |
| Stress, sleep or mood dragging on for weeks, not urgent | A men's health check, A$169 |
Before you book
- No referral needed. Start with the two-minute check.
- No payment to check. You pay when you book a time.
- You set the agenda. Mention as much or as little as you like.
- It's confidential. Notes go to your GP only with your consent.
- Medicare. Rebate depends on eligibility, shown before you pay.
- Refunds. [refund line]
last check: ____
The stuff you've been meaning to ask
Is it weird to book a health check about stress?
No. Mood, stress and sleep are a standard part of the check. You can lead with them or mention them halfway through. Either is fine.
Will it go on my work record?
No. Your health record is confidential and isn't shared with your employer. It's shared with your GP only if you agree.
I work nights. Can a doctor actually help with sleep?
Shift work makes sleep harder, and there's no magic fix. A doctor can check for other causes, like sleep apnoea, and help you work out what's within your control.
Can I message someone between visits?
Members can send secure messages to the team between visits. Those messages aren't for emergencies: for that, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
References
- Beyond Blue. Signs and symptoms of depression. beyondblue.org.au
- Sleep Health Foundation. Shiftwork and Obstructive sleep apnoea fact sheets. sleephealthfoundation.org.au
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (the Red Book), 10th edition, updated 2025. racgp.org.au
General information, the doctor decides.
Say it out loud, to a doctor
Thirty minutes with a named doctor, and a written plan you can come back to. A$169.
Start your check takes two minutes · no payment to check · no referral needed