Mental Health Care Plan

What is a Mental Health Care Plan?

A Mental Health Care Plan is a support plan written by a doctor for someone who is going through various mental health issues. It is a comprehensive plan that might include a referral to a mental health expert, like a psychologist. The plan carefully outlines recommended treatments for the psychologist to follow and explains the support required to resolve the person’s mental health crisis. The plan might also include an overview of what to do in a crisis and relapse prevention treatment.

In Australia, if you have a Mental Health Care Plan, the Australian Government will pay some or all of the costs of the 10 sessions. Due to COVID-19, this number of approved sessions has increased to 20 per calendar year. You can get this through the Medicare Rebate Scheme.

Alternatively, you might have access to other areas of funding for a Mental Health Care Plan depending on your circumstances.

For Mental Health issues related to work, you can access your organisation’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or a WorkCover claim.

For Mental Health issues related to a crime, you can access the Australian Victims Assistance Program (VAP).

For Mental Health issues related to your disabilities, you can access a comprehensive Mental Health Care plan through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

 You can also call up your private health insurance to see if you are covered for counselling and psychological services. Your insurer should be able to tell you whether you are approved for a rebate.

 You can also access psychological services and create your own mental health care plan privately with a psychologist. Simply, call up and book an initial assessment with one of your consultants.

When should I get a Mental Health Care Plan?

You should get a Mental Health Care Plan when you notice that your mental health is deteriorating and you are concern about your health and safety. You can check out the following disorders and screeners to see if you are presenting with any mental health symptoms.

If you have any concerns about your mental health, immediately consult your GP and create a Mental Health Care Plan immediately. The plan will outline the initial treatment goals and ongoing care to help you manage the mental health issue. The plan will also include referrals to psychologist, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses or other community care providers. They are all part of the healthcare team, which works together to provide you with the best level of care possible.

How many psychological sessions do I get with a Mental Health Care Plan

The number of approved counselling sessions is dependent on what scheme you are accessing.

For Medicare, normally you would be able to access 10 sessions per calendar year but due to COVID-19, the Australian Government has approved 20 sessions per calendar year.

To get access to the full number of sessions, you will need to be reviewed by a doctor when you reach 6 sessions and get a new referral.

 For the Victims Assistance Program, you are approved 5 initial sessions including 1 session for the psychologist to write up a tribunal report. To gain additional sessions, the psychologist/ psychiatrist must submit a report for treatment recommendation.

 For WorkCover claims, the number of sessions approved is dependent on the severity of the issue and often would need to be approved by the company’s Human Resource team. On average employee have access to at least 3 sessions of Employee Assistance Program (EAP). However, to ensure that you are covered for psychological session, it is best to consult your Human Resource department or manager.

 For the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the number of approved psychological sessions is dependent on your ‘Daily Living’ plan budget. To ensure that you have enough budget for your Mental Health Treatment, you can consult your psychologist to create a collaborative plan and present the plan in your ‘plan review’ meeting.

 How do I get a Mental Health Care Plan?

 To get a Mental Health Care Plan, first, book an appointment with your doctor. If you do not have a regular doctor, you can go to any medical clinic and talk to any general practitioners. When you book, just ask that you have concerns about your Mental Health and would like to create a Mental Health care plan. By booking the session in advance, the doctor would be able to set aside enough time to go through the whole Mental Health Care plan with you.

Then, at the appointment, talk to the doctor about your concerns. If you are feeling nervous, know that it is a really normal response. Doctors are trained to listen and understand the situation to help you find the solution. In the session, the doctor might ask you to fill out a questionnaire about how you are feeling to work out what is the best way to support you. 

 A lot of GPs will ask you to come back for another appointment before they decide whether a mental health care plan is the right thing for you.

 In some situations, your GP might refer you to a psychiatrist (a doctor who specialises in mental health) or a pediatrician (a doctor who specialises in young people) for a clearer diagnosis.

How to prepare for a Mental Health Care plan?

If you are feeling nervous about seeing a doctor/ psychologist to talk about your mental health, it might be a good idea to write down a list of things you want support with. Remember, it’s normal to feel nervous. Just take a deep breath and know that you are going into a confidential and private space with a professional who can help you gain insight into your situation. They are trained to listen, understand and provide strategies to help you manage your distress.

Also, Well done – getting a mental health care plan is a massive step towards being happier, healthier, and more connected.