What is a mental health treatment plan?

A mental health treatment plan is for people with a mental health condition.

The plan identifies:

• your treatment options
• support services available
• the goals you and your doctor have agreed on

How can a mental health treatment plan help me?

If you're struggling with your mental health, a mental health treatment plan can help with the cost of seeing a mental health professional.

It can also help you:

• feel more in control of your mental health
• feel supported
• understand how you're feeling

Am I eligible for a mental health treatment plan?

You can only get a mental health treatment plan if you've been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression.

How can I get a mental health treatment plan?

If you or your child are struggling with mental health issues, visit your doctor.

When you book your appointment, make sure to ask for a longer appointment. Or say that you are interested in a mental health treatment plan. This way, you and your doctor will have enough time to talk about your mental health.

Your doctor will assess your mental health to:

• diagnose a mental health condition
• find out if you would benefit from a mental health treatment plan

This assessment usually involves a questionnaire. Your doctor will:

• ask you a few questions
• fill in the mental health treatment plan
• talk with you about your goals
• give you a referral to a mental health professional

Sometimes, it can take a few visits to your doctor to diagnose a mental health condition and prepare a treatment plan.

Both paediatricians (children's doctors) and psychiatrists can also write mental health care plans.

What does a mental health treatment plan cover?

To start with, your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional for 6 sessions. If you need more support, they can refer you for further sessions.

A mental health treatment plan lets you claim 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year through Medicare.

Group therapy does not include family and couple therapy.

The plan helps you get free or subsidised sessions. Health professionals decide how much to charge, so Medicare usually only covers some of the cost.

The mental health treatment plan is part of the Better Access initiative. This initiative aims to improve outcomes for people with a diagnosed mental health condition.

Will my mental health treatment plan expire?

Your mental health treatment plan doesn't expire. You can start using it at any time.

If you use all 10 sessions and you feel you need further support, visit your doctor.

Resources and support

You can find more information about mental health, mental health services and treatment plans through:

• Services Australia — for information on government payments and services.
• Beyond Blue or call 1300 22 4636 for mental health support.
• Headspace — supporting young people and their families to be mentally healthy.
• Embrace —provide access to multicultural mental health resources.
• Transcultural Mental Health Centre — for mental health support for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• 13YARN — call 13 92 76 to talk to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, 24/7.
• WellMob — culturally relevant mental health and emotional wellbeing resources.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.