How to get a mental health referral

The basics (that you probably already know)

A referral is a written request from one health professional to another health professional or health service, asking them to diagnose or treat you for a particular condition. 
The steps to getting referral to receive professional mental health support include: 

Booking an appointment with a GP to get a mental health assessment

1. If applicable, your GP will create a mental health treatment plan
2. Once a mental health treatment plan is created, a referral will be written by your GP for you to see a mental health professional.

We have outlined below how you can prepare yourself and what to expect on your way to getting a referral for treatment.

Preparation before getting your referral

It may feel like a daunting task before you see anyone to discuss your mental health so the following are activities that can help you prepare to see a professional. The first step as mentioned above is booking an appointment with a GP.

Choosing the right GP

If you don’t have a regular GP that you visit you can ask your friends or family for recommendations or do internet research to see what is available in your local area. 
Things to consider if you’re searching for a GP:

• Does the GP have an interest in mental illness or have any qualifications and experiences around mental health
• Do you have any special needs or preferences such as language, culture or gender of doctor

It’s important to consider if you’d be comfortable speaking to your chosen GP about how you’re feeling so you can get the proper support, assessment, on-going care and referrals to psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health services if needed.

Knowing what questions to ask

Before you see your GP, perhaps it may help you to prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor. Here are a few suggestions from healthdirect.gov.au:

• What are all of my options?
• What do you think are the best options for me?
• How much better might I feel?
• When might I feel better?

Book a long appointment with your GP

The first step to getting a referral to see a mental health professional is to book an appointment with your GP to help with an initial diagnosis. When you are booking your appointment, be sure to ask for a longer or double appointment – 20 minutes or more.

Mental health assessment

Your GP may initiate the following to assess your mental health and create a mental health treatment plan:

• Ask about your symptoms, family history of mental illness or any possible triggers in your life that could be causing your symptoms, what your goals are.
• Conduct a physical examination
• Laboratory tests

During your consultation, your GP will be able to discuss with you your mental health concerns, and what treatment can best support you. Your GP may suggest developing a mental health treatment plan and provide you with a referral to see a psychologist, mental health social worker, or other mental health professional.

It is also worth noting that psychiatrists or paediatricians are also able to provide a referral for Medicare rebatable allied mental services through the Better Access Initiative. 

What is a mental health treatment plan?

A mental health treatment plan is developed between you and your doctor and outlines the following:

• identifies the mental health concerns that you have been experiencing
• the treatment options discussed
• your goals with treatment

Medicare rebates are available from a mental health treatment plan

Having a mental health treatment plan provides the following cost benefits:

• Makes appointments with allied health professionals more affordable.
• Entitles you to a Medicare rebate on up to 20 individual sessions in a calendar year with a psychologist, social worker or occupational therapist eligible to provide mental health treatment plan services.

Medicare subsidised sessions are not available all in one go, you will be given an initial block of six appointments then you will need to visit your GP for a discussion about how your treatment is progressing and if required, a referral for further sessions may be offered to you by your GP.

Aurora Cloud Clinic accepts online referrals

Our team of clinicians are eligible to provide mental health treatment plan services via telehealth or zoom at a time that suits. Skip the long queues and get the help you need, now, and in the comfort of your own home.