A mental health plan outlines what you and your GP (doctor) have agreed is your goal in seeking mental health support and the type of care that will meet your needs. It will probably also include a referral to a psychologist in your local area that your doctor recommends, or if you know the name of a psychologist in your local area you would like to see, you can tell your doctor to put their name on your mental health care plan.

You have a lot of power in the process. The really good thing about a mental health plan is that it gets you multiple sessions covered (wholly or in part) by Medicare, so the appointments will be cheaper than if you didn’t have the plan. You’ll still be out of pocket sometimes, but Medicare will cover the bulk of your psychology sessions.