Mental health care plans are for people with a mental illness who have several health care providers working with them. A care plan explains the support provided by each of your mental health care providers and when treatment should be provided. Your care plan might also include what to do in a crisis or to prevent relapse.
Your doctor (GP) will use a care plan to help you work out what services you need, set goals and decide on the best treatment options for you. At other times, you doctor may contribute to a care plan that someone else has organised – for example, when you are returning home from spending time in hospital.
Care plan explained
Providing ongoing care and support for someone who is living with a mental illness can involve many different support organisations. These may include psychologists, general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses or other community care providers. They are all part of the ‘health care team’ that works together to provide you with the best level of care possible.
Everyone’s treatment needs are different. A care plan puts down in writing the support you can expect from each of the people in your mental health care team and makes sure that everyone knows who is responsible for what and when. You are an important part of this team and should be fully involved in preparing your mental health care plan.
Preparing your care plan
Your doctor (GP) will work with you to decide:
- What your mental health needs are
- What help you require – your medical, physical, psychological and social needs are all considered
- What result you would like
- What treatment would be best for you.
Once you and your doctor have agreed on your goals and what support you need to achieve them, your doctor will write out a mental health care plan. They will then discuss this with the other members of your health care team. Preparing the plan might take one visit or it might take a number of visits.
Your GP will offer you a copy of the plan and will also keep a copy on your medical record. If you give permission, a copy can also be given to other people, such as psychologists or your carer. You should tell your doctor if there is any information you don’t want other people in your health care team to know.
Benefits of a care plan
Having a care plan will help you become more involved in your health care. A care plan can:
- Help you to set and achieve goals
- Make sure everyone involved in your mental health care team is working towards the same goals
- Help you and your doctor manage your long-term care in a way that is clear and easy to understand
- Give you a way to monitor your progress and check that you continue to receive the care you need
- Lead to better treatment by focusing on improving and maintaining your health rather than just dealing with problems as they arise
- Provide life-saving information in emergencies.
Issues to consider
Most care plans are done in your doctor’s office. However, you may also have a care plan prepared for you when you leave hospital. The time it takes to draw up the care plan depends on your provider and the complexity of your situation.
Some things to think about include:
- You will need to request a long consultation with your doctor to allow enough time to prepare your care plan and discuss your treatment options.
- If you would like a carer, family member or someone else to accompany you to the care plan appointments, you may wish to let your doctor know beforehand.
- Your doctor must get your consent before a care plan is developed and you should be given a written statement of your rights and responsibilities.
- Discuss with your doctor any aspects of your assessment that you do not want discussed with the other members of your health care team.
Regular reviews are important
Once you have a mental health care plan, you should continue to see the same doctor for review and management. Significant changes in your health may mean you need to make a new care plan. Even if there are no big changes to your situation, your care plan should be reviewed regularly to make sure it continues to meet your needs.
How often a new plan is prepared may vary depending on which providers are involved. Care plans may be prepared every 12 months and should be reviewed after three or six months or sooner if needed. A date for review should be written into your care plan.
Costs
If you have a Medicare card, Medicare will cover some or all of the cost of care planning by a doctor. It may also rebate some of the costs of certain other specialists or other health professionals, which will be charged separately. Your GP should tell you what costs (if any) are involved when you agree to make a mental health care plan. If you are unsure, ask your doctor what fees will be involved.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Mental health care professional – for example a psychologist, general practitioner, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse or other community care provider
Things to remember
- Anyone who has a mental health problem that lasts longer than six months and need the care of three or more providers will benefit from a care plan.
- Everyone’s treatment needs are different – your care plan can help you and your doctor work out what services are best for you.
- A care plan explains the support provided by each member of your health care team, who is responsible for what and when.
- Your care plan should be reviewed regularly to make sure it continues to meet your needs.
You might also be interested in:
Mental health problems - early care helps.
Mental health services - case managers.
Mental illness.
Mental illness - family and friends.
Mental illness services - residential care.
Mental illness treatments.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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