Most mental healthcare is provided through general practice and other primary care services.
This month’s Community Pulse is taking a closer look at primary mental healthcare and the two referral processes for subsidised care.
What is primary mental healthcare?
Primary mental healthcare is usually the first level of mental healthcare a person receives and involves assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems.
It can be provided in the home or in community-based settings, such as:
- general practices
- mental health professional practices
- community health centres
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Primary mental healthcare is not provided in hospitals. This type of care is known as ‘tertiary care’ and is usually for people with acute mental health problems.
What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
There are two main referral options which provide subsidised access to primary mental healthcare services:
- Referral option 1: Better Access initiative
- Referral option 2: PHN-funded services
Both options involve having your GP develop a Mental Health Treatment Plan for you. The plan includes assessment, a plan for treatment and referral to other healthcare providers. It is updated by your GP every three months in what is called a Mental Health Treatment Plan review.
Referral option 1: Better Access initiative
Medicare rebates are provided through the Better Access initiative to help people with a Mental Health Treatment Plan access mental health support from eligible mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers and occupational therapists.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, between 9 October 2020 and 30 June 2022, an extra 10 sessions are being subsidised for each individual, each calendar year.
Session allocation: 10 individual and 10 groups sessions are available each calendar year. An extra 10 extra sessions are being provided up until 30 June 2022 due to COVID-19.
Fee: A gap payment may be charged, speak to your mental health professional.
Find more information about Better Access
Find more information about 10 Extra Better Access Sessions
Referral option 2: PHN-funded services
One of South Western Sydney PHN’s (SWSPHN) roles is to implement primary mental healthcare reform activities. This involves identifying gaps in primary mental healthcare at a local level, working with people with lived experience to co-design services, and funding, monitoring and evaluating services.
SWSPHN funds a number of free mental health programs which are targeted at individuals who face barriers accessing the Better Access initiative to ensure all people in need of care are linked with a service which best meets their needs.
Like Better Access, these programs provide mental health support through eligible mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, as well as other mental health professionals including mental health nurses and peer workers.
Session allocation: Varies depending on program, with flexibility to request extra sessions if needed.
Fee: All services are free.
Find more information about the SWSPHN-funded services
Digital mental health resources are available through Head to Health – an online alternative to the PHN-funded services which are traditionally delivered face-to-face.
If you feel you need support with your mental health, talk to your GP about which option is best for you.