When it comes to mental health, it can often feel tricky to put into words how you’re feeling. But when you know that something isn’t right, getting help doesn’t have to be overwhelming: it just takes that first step.
You can take that first step by booking an appointment with your GP. They will discuss your current situation, help you identify how you’re feeling, and help you gain access to a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This provides you with a structured care framework that opens the door to lifelong support.
What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is available to people who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. It’s designed to support you on your journey to gaining mental health support.
Your Plan details your treatment options, outlining the support services available to you and mapping out the goals for your plan. It creates a referral pathway from your GP to the right mental health care provider, helping to ensure continuity of care as you start on your journey towards mental health care.
How much is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Mental Health Treatment Plans are part of Australia’s Medicare system. This allows you to access up to 10 free or subsidised health care sessions from your mental health professional, each calendar year. This could be a psychologist, occupational therapist, or social worker.
However, you can’t access them all at once, initially. Your GP will refer you to a mental health professional for the first six sessions. Following these sessions, your GP will then review your plan and the outcome of your treatment. If you require more sessions, they’ll then refer you on for the next four. It may seem like an extra step, but the six-session check-in is designed to ensure that you’re getting the support you need.
Who is eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is available to anyone who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Not just adults, but children and teenagers too.
So if you’re wondering if you’re eligible, all you need to do is discuss this with your GP. They can help you understand how to access one, and how it might help you.
How to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan
It’s reasonably straightforward to get a Mental Mental Health Treatment Plan. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1. Book an appointment with your GP
When you book your appointment, say that you’re interested in getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You’ll then get a longer GP session, giving you the time you need to talk things through.
Step 2. Discuss your situation
In the appointment with your GP they will discuss your current situation and ask you some questions, including how you’re feeling, your mental health history (and your family’s mental health history), any external factors you’re experiencing, and any medication you may be on. This will help them make a prognosis of your condition.
This prognosis is completely confidential between you, your doctor, and your mental health professional, and it won’t be shared with anyone else if you don’t want it to be.
Step 3. Creating your Mental Health Treatment Plan
After this initial chat, your GP will determine if a Mental health Treatment Plan is right for you. If so, they will help you identify what you want to achieve, determine any goals for your plan, and also any actions you may need to take.
Step 4. GP referral for a psychologist
Your doctor will then provide a GP referral for a psychologist, or another registered mental health care provider, who they believe will be the best fit to support you.
Step 5. Booking your first mental health session
With this referral letter, you can book in your first appointment with a mental health practitioner, and start to access your subsidised mental health care sessions.
What happens next
It’s important to remember that this is your journey. So, if after a few sessions you don’t feel like your mental health care professional is the right fit, you can visit your GP again and they can help you find another one. The aim is to get you the support you need.
Get a Mental Health Treatment Plan in Bunbury
Your mental health is important, and much like managing a physical injury, it’s something that you can get support for. All it takes is that first step.
At Brecken Health Bunbury, we’re here to help. Contact us today and book an appointment with your GP to discuss starting your journey towards a Mental Health Treatment Plan.