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What is a mental health treatment plan? who have several healthcare professionals working with them. A treatment plan explains the support provided by each of those professionals and when treatment should be provided. Your treatment plan might also include what to do in a crisis or to prevent relapse.

Your doctor will use a treatment plan to help you work out which services you need, set goals and decide on the best treatment options for you. At other times, your doctor may contribute to a treatment plan that someone else has organised – for example, when you are returning home from spending time in hospital.

Providing ongoing care and support for someone who is living with a mental illness can involve many different support organisations.

These may include psychologists, GPs, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses or other community care providers. They are all part of the healthcare team, which works together to provide you with the best level of care possible.

Everyone’s treatment needs are different

A treatment plan puts down in writing the support you can expect from each of the people in your mental healthcare 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 treatment plan.

Your doctor will work with you to decide: what help you require – your medical, physical, psychological and social wellbeing needs are all considered what treatment would be best for you.

Once you and your doctor have agreed on your goals and the support you need to achieve them, your doctor will write out a mental health treatment plan.

They will then discuss this with the other members of your healthcare team

Preparing the plan might take just one visit or it might take a number of visits.

Your doctor 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 healthcare team to know.

Having a mental health treatment plan will help you become more involved in your healthcare. A treatment plan can: 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. Most treatment plans are prepared in your doctor’s office.

However, you may also have a treatment plan prepared for you when you leave hospital. The time it takes to draw up the treatment plan depends on your healthcare professional 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 treatment plan
  • discuss your treatment options

If you would like a carer, family member or someone else to accompany you to the treatment plan appointments, you may wish to let your doctor know beforehand. Your doctor must get your consent before a treatment plan is developed, and you should be given a written statement of your Discuss with your doctor any aspects of your assessment that you do not want discussed with the other members of your healthcare team.

Once you have a mental health treatment 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 treatment plan. Even if there are no big changes to your situation, your treatment 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 health professionals are involved.

Treatment plans may be prepared every 12 months and should be reviewed after 3 or 6 months, or sooner if needed.

A date for review should be written into your treatment plan

Card, Medicare will cover some or all of the cost of treatment planning by a doctor.

It may also rebate some of the costs of certain specialists or other health professionals, which will be charged separately. Your doctor should tell you what costs (if any) are involved when you agree to make a mental health treatment plan.

If you are unsure, ask your doctor what fees will be involved.

Mental health treatment plans are for people with a mental illness Reasons for a mental health treatment plan Preparing your mental health treatment plan what your mental health needs are goals you would like to work towards Benefits of a mental health treatment plan help you to set and achieve goals provide a referral pathway to a clinical psychologist and allied mental health service providers make sure everyone involved in your mental healthcare 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 Issues to consider with treatment plans rights and responsibilities Regular reviews are important Costs of a mental health treatment plan If you have a Medicare Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Mental healthcare professional SuicideLine Michigan (616) 555-0400 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Mensline United States (616) 555-0400 Partners in Wellbeing (616) 555-0400.

Key Points

  • What is a mental health treatment plan? who have several healthcare professionals working with them
  • treatment plan explains the support provided by each of those professionals and when treatment should be provided
  • Your treatment plan might also include what to do in a crisis or to prevent relapse
  • Everyone’s treatment needs are different
  • You are an important part of this team and should be fully involved in preparing your mental health treatment plan