I Don’t Understand the Letters I’ve Received
If you have never spoken to a GP about mental health, not knowing what will happen can make the appointment feel bigger than it is.
If you have never spoken to a GP about mental health, not knowing what will happen can make the appointment feel bigger than it is.
You may worry that you will be judged, that you will not explain yourself properly or that saying you are struggling will automatically lead to medication or specialist services.
Usually, the first appointment is a conversation designed to understand what has been happening and what support may be appropriate.
You can start very simply
You do not need a rehearsed explanation.
“I’ve been struggling with my mental health and I don’t know what to do” is enough to begin.
The GP may then ask about your mood, anxiety, sleep, appetite, concentration, work, relationships, recent events and how long things have been difficult.
Why they may ask quite a lot of questions
Mental-health symptoms can overlap with each other and with physical-health problems.
Questions help the GP understand the pattern, severity and impact of what you are experiencing. They may also ask about your medical history, medicines, alcohol or drugs, and whether there have been significant changes in your life.
Answer as openly as you can, but tell them if you do not understand why something is being asked.
You may be asked to complete a questionnaire
GPs and mental-health services sometimes use short questionnaires about symptoms such as low mood or anxiety.
These can help structure the conversation and monitor change, but they are only part of an assessment.
A score does not replace what you tell the clinician about your actual life and circumstances.
What might happen next
There is no single outcome.
Depending on your circumstances, the GP may discuss self-help, lifestyle factors, talking therapies, medication, another appointment, tests where physical causes need consideration, or referral to another service.
For common anxiety and depression problems in England, NHS Talking Therapies can also be accessed directly by self-referral.
What if the appointment feels too short
Mental-health problems can be difficult to explain within a normal appointment.
Prioritise the most important points: what has changed, how long it has lasted, how it affects daily life and what you need help with.
If there is more to discuss, ask whether a follow-up appointment would be appropriate.
What if you become emotional or lose your words
Crying, going blank or struggling to describe feelings does not make the appointment a failure.
Take notes with you. You can read from them or hand them over if speaking becomes difficult.
You may also want to ask the practice beforehand whether somebody can accompany you if having support would help.
Leave knowing the next step
Before the appointment ends, try to understand what happens next.
Is there a referral? Are you expected to self-refer? Is there a follow-up appointment? Has medication been discussed? What should you do if the problem continues or changes?
A clear next step can make the period after the appointment feel much less uncertain.
Last reviewed
6 September 2026
Important informationThis guide provides general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional healthcare advice. Mental-health support and treatment will depend on individual circumstances. If you are unsure what support is appropriate, speak to your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.