Somewhere between your last exam and your first pay cheque, you may begin needing to take more responsibility for your healthcare.
For some people, this happens gradually. A parent or carer may continue to help with appointments, Medicare details or health decisions. Others may start managing these things themselves. There is no single way this transition needs to happen.
With Queensland Mental Health Week running from 3 to 11 October 2026, this is a useful time to consider what healthcare information may be relevant as you finish Year 12. The 2026 theme is Build Community, Build Wellbeing, highlighting the role connection can play in mental health and wellbeing.
Exam stress is real
If exams have left you feeling wired, flat, overwhelmed or unable to sleep properly, you are not overreacting. A 2025 ReachOut survey found that 86% of students had experienced study stress in the previous 12 months. Forty-five per cent said they had been very or extremely stressed in the previous two weeks.
Some stress before an important exam is common. However, you may wish to consider whether it is affecting your sleep, appetite, concentration, relationships or ability to manage everyday activities. These changes do not automatically mean something is seriously wrong, but they may indicate that additional support could be useful.
Some people find the following helpful:
- Keeping a reasonably regular sleep routine to support rest and concentration.
- Eating regularly to help maintain energy.
- Taking breaks from study and screens.
- Including movement or time outdoors.
- Talking with someone they trust.
- Speaking with a GP or mental health professional.
You can decide which, if any, of these options feels relevant to you. If stress is becoming difficult to manage, a GP can discuss possible support. At Sandstone Healthcare Yeerongpilly, we have two GPs with special interests in the mental health and wellbeing of young adults who are ready to listen to new patients.
Information about managing your healthcare
Your current arrangements may already work well. A parent, carer or another trusted adult may help with appointments and health information, or you may already manage these things independently.
The following information is intended to explain some available options, not suggest that everyone needs to change their arrangements.
- If you are 15 or older and enrolled in Medicare, Services Australia allows you to apply for your own Medicare card and number. This may be useful if you want to manage your Medicare details independently or need them when arranging healthcare.
- Queensland Health describes a GP as an important point of contact during the transition to adulthood. A GP may discuss general health concerns, provide treatment, arrange referrals or connect you with other services including supporting you to make choices around contraception or access mental health supports.
- Some people prefer to see the same GP over time, while others choose different services depending on their needs, location, availability or cost.
- Bulk-billing arrangements and out-of-pocket costs vary. You can ask about fees before booking or attending.
- You may wish to keep a record of your Medicare details, medications, allergies and relevant health information. This can make it easier to provide accurate information when using a new service.
There is no requirement to change every part of your healthcare immediately after finishing school. Becoming familiar with these options may help you decide where to start if you later need a check-up, prescription, referral, medical certificate, mental health support or advice about a personal concern.
Mental health support after school
If you have used a school counsellor, wellbeing coordinator, guidance officer or trusted teacher, you may want to consider what support could be available after you finish. Some people may not need ongoing support, while others may prefer to know what options exist.
Possible sources include:
- A GP: for discussing physical or mental health concerns, treatment options and referrals.
- A psychologist or other mental health professional: for assessment, counselling or structured support.
- A trusted person: for personal support and help deciding whether professional assistance may be useful.
- A university, TAFE or workplace wellbeing service: for support connected with study, work or a new environment.
- headspace: a youth service for people aged 12 to 25. You can find a headspace centre online.
- Queensland mental health services: for information about available services and treatment options. See How to get help with your mental health.
A GP can discuss how you are feeling and possible next steps. Depending on your circumstances, this may include general support, a referral or discussion of a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
The purpose of a Mental Health Treatment Plan is to support access to structured mental health treatment where the eligibility requirements are met. It is not the only way to seek help. Fees vary, so you can ask about costs and rebates before deciding whether to proceed. More information is available from Services Australia. Sandstone Healthcare has an embedded mental health worker who uses a therapy dog to keep care fun and engaging, especially for people nervous about talking about how they feel.
Staying connected after Year 12
Finishing school can bring new opportunities, but it may also involve changes to friendships, study, work, routines or living arrangements.
There is no single correct way to manage this transition. You might choose to:
- Keep in contact with people you trust.
- Look for groups connected with study, work, sport, creative interests or community activities.
- Find out what wellbeing services are available through a university, TAFE or workplace.
- Seek support if the transition feels more difficult than expected or begins affecting your daily life.
You can decide what fits your situation, values and support needs. What is important is to keep connected. One of the loneliest periods for adults is the years between school and age 25. Developing friendship making skills outside of school is critical as you are no longer running into the same people day after day, doing sport and other recreational pursuits with them.
So, think about regularly scheduling catch ups, joining new groups and building a network of support for the many new things you will experience in the years immediately after leaving school. It may feel like the last time you did this many new things was when you were a toddler and likely had lots of family support. This time, you get to choose who will be in that support network and hopefully build some lifelong friends.
What this could look like at Sandstone
If you would like information about general health checks, study stress, mental health support, prescriptions, referrals or another health concern, the team at Sandstone Healthcare Yeerongpilly can explain what may be available and what an appointment may involve.
You can ask questions, discuss your options and decide what, if anything, you would like to do next. Our approach is working with your goals, getting to know you and most importantly, addressing what matters, not what we think might be the matter.
Book an appointment with the team at Sandstone Healthcare Yeerongpilly.
Medicare eligibility, referral requirements, treatment options and out-of-pocket costs vary. Your GP or practice team can explain what may apply to you.
Further Reading: Trusted Australian Resources
- Queensland Mental Health Week
- Queensland Health: Transitioning to adulthood
- Queensland Health: How to get help with your mental health
- QCAA: External assessment timetable
- ReachOut: Study stress survey
- Services Australia: Medicare card
- Services Australia: Mental Health Treatment Plan eligibility
- Services Australia: Mental health care and Medicare
- headspace: Find a centre
