The latest data shines a worrying light on the state of mental health in Australia.
Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows 43% of Australians have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their life, with 22% having experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months.
At CFHP, our aim is to provide effective, empathetic, and accessible mental health support to Australians across Brisbane and the country.
Australia’s mental health care treatment plan is a government initiative that provides support for people with a mental health condition. The plan identifies treatment options, support services, and goals agreed on between you and your general practitioner. It also means that seeing a psychologist is greatly subsidised for the first ten sessions, making it more accessible to get the support you deserve than ever before.
How can I get a mental health care treatment plan?
You can get access to a mental health treatment plan through a simple 4-step process.
- Book an appointment with a doctor
The doctor you book an appointment with can be a regular GP (general practitioner) or a family doctor that you usually visit. If you don’t have a regular doctor, any GP clinic is suitable as well. When making your booking appointment, be sure to indicate that you want to speak about a mental health care plan. This will help the doctor prepare accordingly for your visit.
- Attend the appointment
At the appointment, the doctor will ask you about the mental issues that you have been facing. Try to be as open and truthful as possible when sharing your struggles, as this will help inform the doctor of your need for mental healthcare treatment. Don’t worry about feeling nervous or fearful — your doctor is there to provide support.
- Follow the doctor’s instructions
During the appointment, your doctor provide you with some preliminary advice on how to manage your mental health. They will often ask you to come back for more appointments before they make a decision of whether a mental health care plan will benefit you. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist to get a clearer diagnosis of your mental health.
- Get approval for a mental health treatment plan
Once your doctor determines that you are suitable for a mental health treatment plan, they will create one with you. This plan will outline clear goals agreed upon by both you and your doctor, and will include a list of treatment options and support services that you can claim financial support for.
Eligibility for a mental health care treatment plan
Mental health care treatment plans are only available to individuals that have been professionally diagnosed with a mental health condition. Examples of applicable conditions include:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
Benefits of a mental health care treatment plan
Getting a mental health care treatment plan will provide you with the support you need to successfully manage and potentially recover from your mental health issues. A mental health care treatment plan can:
- Help you set clear goals and work towards them
- Give you access to specialised treatment for your mental health condition
- Allow you to track your recovery process
- Provide you with practical advice and strategies for mental health management
- Assist you in enjoying a better quality of life
How much does a mental health care treatment plan cost?
If you have Medicare, the good news is that most of the costs of a mental health care treatment plan will be covered by it. This includes the treatment planning by your doctor as well as some costs from specialist treatments.
Your treatment plan will allow you to claim cost rebates on up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year. Medicare will only cover fees up to a certain amount, so depending on how these sessions are charged, you may need to pay the spillover cost.
How long is a mental health care treatment plan valid for?
Once you have a mental health care treatment plan, it will not expire until you and your doctor agree that you no longer require it. You can continue to use it to attend sessions in your own time or as you need them. If you have used all 10 sessions, you can visit your doctor to request for further support.
Find effective mental health care treatment with CFHP
At CFHP, our Brisbane psychologist counselling sessions are covered by Medicare and your mental health care treatment plan. We can provide you with effective and compassionate counselling to help you improve your mental health, whether you need counselling for anxiety or depression. Contact us today to start your journey toward a happier and healthier mind.
