What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan, is a plan you can create with your GP to help you access the right mental health support.
It can include:
- what you’re experiencing
- the type of support that may help
- referrals to mental health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers or psychiatrists
A plan can make it easier to access Medicare subsidised sessions and get support early, before things feel overwhelming.
Why it can help
You don’t need to be in crisis to ask for support.
A Mental Health Care Plan can help if you are:
- feeling stressed, low, anxious or overwhelmed
- having trouble adjusting to life after transition, service-related changes, or other life changes
- dealing with grief, loss or relationship challenges
- noticing changes in your sleep, mood or behaviour
It provides a structured way to talk about what’s going on and to take the practical next steps.
How to get a Mental Health Care Plan
You can request a Mental Health Care Plan by booking an appointment with a GP.
When booking, you will need to tell the Receptionist you want to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan to ensure they allocate the necessary time for your assessment.
During your appointment, your GP may:
- ask about your wellbeing, health and life circumstances
- talk through support options with you
- Work with you to create a plan
- refer you to a mental health professional, if appropriate
You can take things at your own pace, and you don’t have to share anything you’re not ready to.
What happens next
With a Mental Health Care Plan, you may be eligible for a number of Medicare subsidised sessions with a mental health professional.
Your GP will usually:
- check in with you after a few sessions
- review your plan
- adjust your support if needed
Your support can change over time, depending on what works best for you.
Support for veterans and families of veterans
If you are a veteran or family member of a veteran, additional supports may be available.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to access:
- mental health care funded through Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) arrangements
- providers who understand military and veteran experiences
- counselling and support through services such as Open Arms-Veterans & Families Counselling
You can talk with your GP about your options or explore support directly through the relevant services.
You’re not alone
Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, especially if you’re used to managing things on your own.
It’s okay to start small.
A Mental Health Care Plan is one way to:
- better understand what you’re experiencing
- connect with the right support
- take care of your wellbeing over time
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