Self-Help

Self-help is a major weapon in the treatment of mental illnesses. Your doctor will help guide you in what you can do yourself which may include physical exercise, relaxation exercises, problem solving, sleep hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle.

Recommended websites for self-care: General psychiatric problems: psychcentral.org General problems and eating disorders: cci.health.wa.gov.au

Depression and Bipolar Disorder: blackdoginstitute.org.au
Anxiety disorders: crufad.org
Perinatal and general mental health: beyondblue.org.au
General psychiatric problems: psychcentral.org
General problems and eating disorders: cci.health.wa.gov.au

Mental Health Care Plan

A Mental Health Care Plan is for patients with a mental health condition that can be written out into a plan and up to 10 visits to mental health services will be covered by medicare.

It identifies what type of health care you need, and spells out what you and your doctor have agreed you are aiming to achieve.

Who is eligible for a mental health care plan?

A mental health care plan is available to you if you have a mental condition that has been diagnosed by a doctor including disorders such as:

depression
anxiety
stress
schizophrenia
bipolar disorder
If you are concerned about your mental health or that of a family member, the first stop should be your doctor where you can find out which therapies and treatments are available.

How do I get a care plan?

Your doctor will assess whether you have a mental disorder and whether you will benefit from a treatment plan. Your doctor will ask a few questions, fill in the plan and set goals together with you. When you make the booking, please ensure that you ask for a long appointment, usually 20 minutes or more is needed.

What does the care plan cover?

If you have a mental health care plan, you will be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group appointments with some allied mental health services in a year. That means for certain psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers, you are also entitled to Medicare rebates for 10 individual and support group sessions in a year.

Your doctor can also give you a referral to allied health services in your area if required.

After the first 6 appointments, you need to see your doctor again for a plan review and another referral, as you cannot have all the 10 appointments in one go.
For more information about mental health care plans, please making a booking with our doctors