The Coronavirus Pandemic has been stressful for everyone. It has seen many people become isolated from friends, family and work colleagues. This can have a huge impact on our mental health.
During the Budget announcement last week, the Federal Government doubled the number of mental health sessions available to all patients impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic. This increases the available sessions from 10 to 20.
This means that Medicare rebates are available for an additional 10 sessions this year. The sessions may be claimed each calendar year, from 9 October 2020 to 30 June 2022. There is a maximum of 20 sessions available each year.
To be eligible, you must have an approved treatment plan developed by your medical practitioner.
The first step in accessing services is to speak to your GP. Your GP can work with you to write a Mental Health Treatment Plan. A Mental Health Treatment Plan looks at your mental health needs and goals. It will outline the treatment options, and support services to reach your goals. They can then refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
Seek support if you need it
It’s normal to feel anxious or stressed during the pandemic. If you have experienced mental health issues in the past, or feel your mental well-being is being impacted:
- Surround yourself with a support network of friends and family
- Acknowledge any feelings of anxiety or stress – it’s ok to feel this way
- Seek out support from professionals as soon as you feel you’re struggling
If you feel anxious about attending health clinics at this time, Telehealth options are available.
If you feel that you need support during this time, our team of GPs and Psychologist can provide you with the help you need. To make an appointment, call our friendly team on (02) 9241 1577, or click here.
