Following this expert advice can help set you on the road to recovery.

We're finally starting to acknowledge that looking after our mental health is just as important - and normal - as looking after our physical health. But if you've never talked to your GP about this before, having that initial conversation can be daunting.

"Many of us worry about speaking to our GP if we're struggling with our mental health. But bottling things up can make things worse. It's better to ask for help earlier on. That way, if needed, you can start receiving the treatment you need to set you on the road to recovery," says Emily Waller, senior policy & campaigns officer at mental health charity Mind.

"GPs are usually the first port of call, so they're used to dealing with these types of issues. In fact, roughly one in three GP appointments have a mental health component." Mind also has a 'Find the Words' (find it at www.mind.org.uk/findthewords) guide with tips on preparing for your first appointment.

Here, Emily, and Dr Miles Boyden, a GP and clinical director of the recently launched online healthcare platform iDoc (idochealth.com), who also has a wealth of experience working within the NHS, explain what to expect when you talk to your GP about your mental health...

The first step

"Firstly, your doctor will give you the space to express why you're there and what your concerns are. We want to listen to you in a confidential non-judgemental environment, and the more time that's devoted to this element of the consultation, the better," says Dr Boyden.

"Together, you and your doctor will discuss what the underlying cause may be, physical and emotional symptoms, and how these are affecting you and your family. What are the triggers causing you to feel so low? Is there any history of alcohol or drug use which could be a contributory factor? Have you suffered with depression or any other mental health problems before? Do you have any thoughts or plans of self-harming?" You'll also be asked to fill in a Patient Health Questionnaire, where you can 'score' how frequently and severely you're experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Emily notes: "A typical GP appointment is 10 minutes, so you may want to book a double appointment if you feel you need more time. The GP will ask questions to understand how you're feeling both mentally and physically. Try to be as honest as possible with your responses. It can help to write down notes beforehand, and you might want to take a trusted friend or family member with you."

Will it result in a diagnosis?

"Depending on your symptoms, your GP might make a diagnosis, or they might refer you on to a specialist mental health team," explains Emily.

Your GP may diagnose things like depression and anxiety without a need for you to be assessed by a specialist team, but it will depend on your individual symptoms.

And what about treatment options?

Discussing treatment options is the next step. Dr Boyden says this conversation should feel like a two-way street. "Together, you will craft a long or short-term management plan based on the symptoms you're experiencing, your previous medical history and your thoughts around what type of interventions would be most appropriate for you. Lifestyle interventions, such as reducing alcohol intake and increasing exercise, can be very effective in improving mood and overall health and wellbeing and are a very good first step. Creating a structure and routine may in itself help you feel more in control of the situation.

"You can be referred to NHS or private counselling services and might also benefit from a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This is a method of talking therapy that can help you manage your anxieties, depression and phobias by changing the way you think and behave in a positive manner," he adds. Drugs, such as antidepressants, aren't automatically always prescribed, but may be one of the options.

"A good GP should talk you through different treatments (such as talking therapies or medication), and explain how they work," says Emily. "Sometimes people aren't given a full range of options, or don't have the options properly explained to them. Ask for more information if you don't feel you've received enough, and ask for a follow-up appointment for a few weeks' time so you can keep track of how you're feeling."

What might happen your GP thinks you need urgent care?

"If your GP feels you are in crisis, they will liaise with a crisis team which is usually comprised of a doctor, mental health nurse and social worker who can then come and visit you at home," says Dr Boyden. "A GP can also refer you to A&E if they feel immediate action is needed. Within the hospital there are psychiatric on-call teams that you can be referred to if specialist input is required."

Remember, if you feel you're experiencing an acute mental health crisis and feel desperate for help, you can always head straight for urgent help yourself. Plus, the Samaritans helpline operates 24 hours a day. "If you think you might act on suicidal thoughts, or you've harmed yourself and need urgent medical attention, go to A&E, where you will be able to get the urgent care and support that you need," says Emily.

Mind has a confidential information and support line, Mind Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday).