"Seeking help in mental health for a close friend"

My friend has suffered over 3 decades of psychological distress because of her family circumstances. She has sought counselling but did not feel much improvement. She held up well prior to her parent's death through the support of her church.

A series of events occurred post her parent's death 10 years ago. She has been strong in sorting out the various issues until the recent year. She collapsed into a prolonged sleep last year and she has suffered some physical consequences from prolonged bed rest -- musculoskeletal pain, unable to walk due to muscle wasting, severe gastric symptoms. She could not walk for more than 5 minutes at a time and has been home bound.

We have tried to seek help from a GP but all of them have told us that Medicare would not allow them to do home visits and if they did it would have to be one episode and that patient cannot choose who they get as doctor.

She still has symptoms but cannot leave her house to see a GP, but is reluctant to contact a home visiting doctor for an once off visit.