Talking to a GP about your mental health can feel difficult, especially if you do not know them well. Preparing beforehand can help you explain what is happening and get the most from your appointment.

GPs are there to help with your mental health as well as your physical health – around one third of all GP appointments are related to mental health.

Before your appointment

It can help to write down:

  • how you have been feeling
  • when you first noticed a change
  • anything that may have contributed to how you feel
  • how your mental health is affecting your daily life, relationships, sleep, work or studies
  • any physical symptoms you have noticed
  • medicines or supplements you are taking
  • any questions you want to ask

Try to be as open as you can. You will not be wasting anyone’s time, and you do not need to wait until things become more serious before asking for help.

If you find it hard to explain how you feel, you could show the healthcare professional something you have written on your phone or on paper. You can also ask someone you trust to come with you for support.

The Doc Ready website can help you prepare what you want to say. Mind’s Find the Words guide also has advice about talking to a GP about your mental health.

If English is not your first language

You can ask your GP surgery to arrange a professional interpreter. This is free.

Tell the surgery that you need an interpreter when you book your appointment. Let them know:

  • which language you speak
  • whether you speak a particular dialect
  • whether you would prefer a male or female interpreter, if this is important to you
  • whether you need the interpreter to attend in person or help by phone or video

The surgery may need extra time to arrange this, so ask as early as you can.

You can bring a friend or family member for emotional support. However, you should not have to rely on them to interpret for you. A professional interpreter is trained to translate health information accurately and keep the conversation confidential. Children should not be asked to interpret.

You can also:

  • write down important information in your preferred language before the appointment
  • bring a list of any medicines you take
  • ask the healthcare professional to speak slowly and avoid medical words
  • ask them to repeat or explain anything you do not understand
  • ask for important information or instructions to be written down

NHS primary care services should make interpreting and translation support available to people who need it. Read more about interpreting in primary care on the NHS England website.

During your appointment

The GP may ask about your thoughts, feelings, physical health and what is happening in your life. They may also ask whether you have had thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. Answering honestly will help them understand what support you need.

You can ask questions such as:

  • What do you think might be causing how I feel?
  • What support is available?
  • How long might I have to wait?
  • What can I do while I am waiting?
  • What should I do if I start to feel worse?
  • Who should I contact if I have questions after the appointment?

It is okay to ask someone to repeat something, explain it in a different way or give you more time to think.

What support might be suggested?

Depending on what you need, the GP might:

If medication is suggested, the GP should explain how it may help, how to take it and any possible side effects. You can ask why a treatment has been suggested and whether there are other options.

After your appointment

Before you leave, make sure you understand:

  • what will happen next
  • whether you need to make another appointment
  • whether you have been referred to another service
  • how and when you should hear from that service
  • who to contact if you do not hear anything
  • what to do if you start to feel worse

You may want to make notes or ask the healthcare professional to write down the main points. If an interpreter is supporting you, ask for enough time to check that you understand the next steps.

Communication and accessibility support

All GP surgeries must follow the Accessible Information Standard.

If you are Deaf, have hearing or sight loss, are Deafblind, or have another disability or communication need, tell your surgery what support you need. For example, you can ask for:

  • a British Sign Language interpreter
  • speech-to-text support
  • information in large print, Braille, easy read or another accessible format
  • a particular way of being contacted, such as by text message or email
  • extra time or other reasonable adjustments

Ask the surgery to record your communication needs so you do not have to explain them every time.

You can also visit our mental health support for Deaf people page for information about accessing support and communicating with health services.

Last updated: July 2026