What Is a Mental Health Care Plan — and Can I Use It for Occupational Therapy?
If your GP has mentioned a Mental Health Care Plan might be helpful for you, or you've heard about it from someone else, you might be wondering what it actually is, and whether it could help you access the support you're looking for.
The good news is if you or a young person you know is thinking about seeing a mental health Occupational Therapist, a Mental Health Care Plan could make that a lot more accessible. Here's everything you need to know.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (sometimes called an MHCP, or a Better Access plan) is a document that your GP prepares with you. It's designed to support people who are experiencing mental health difficulties by connecting them with a mental health professional, allowing that support to be a bit more affordable.
The plan outlines what's going on for you mentally and emotionally, what your goals are, and which type of support would help most. Once you have one, you're eligible for sessions where you can get a reimbursement (money back!) from medicare when seeing an approved mental health provider, which includes psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists like us here at The Social Confidence Collective.
You don't need a diagnosis to get one. Your GP just needs to identify that you're experiencing mental health difficulties that would benefit from mental health support.
How many sessions does it cover?
Under the Better Access scheme, a Mental Health Care Plan gives you access to up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with an approved mental health provider.
Here's how it works:
You start with 6 sessions
After those, you go back to your GP for a review
Your GP can then refer you for a further 4 sessions in the same calendar year if you need more support
Who might benefit from seeing a mental health OT?
If you or a young person (aged 14–25) you know is experiencing any of the following, a mental health OT might be a great fit:
Social anxiety or difficulty connecting with others: you want more friendships or confidence being around others but find social situations really hard
Feeling like you don't quite belong: a persistent sense of being on the outside, or struggling with identity and self-worth
Emotional regulation challenges: finding it hard to manage your emotions, especially in settings with other people
Sensory overwhelm: Being out in the world is feeling really difficult and can affect how you show up in daily life
Neurodivergence: Your mind works differently to others you know, and you want support with social goals, sensory strategies, or participation
History of difficult social experiences: you've experienced bullying, social exclusion, or difficult peer relationships and want support rebuilding confidence
You don't need to tick every box. If daily life, social participation, or your mental health and wellbeing are being affected, it's worth having a conversation.
How do I get a Mental Health Care Plan?
Step 1: Make a longer appointment with your GP When you call to book, let the receptionist know you'd like to talk about a Mental Health Care Plan — this ensures the GP has enough time. These appointments are usually 20–30 minutes.
Step 2: Have an honest conversation Your GP will ask you about how you're going mentally and emotionally. You don't need to have the "right" words — just be as honest as you can about what's been hard. The plan is there to help, not to judge. Sometimes, parents can help with this part when you might not have the words to describe what is going on.
Step 3: Discuss the right type of support Let your GP know you're interested in seeing a mental health OT, and specifically that you're interested in the Social Confidence Collective. GPs can refer to specific providers, so it's completely fine to ask.
Step 4: Get your referral and book in Once your plan is prepared, you can contact us directly to get started. We'll respond within 5 business days (often sooner) to discuss whether we're the right fit and to talk through next steps.
What happens at The Social Confidence Collective once I have a referral?
When you come to us with a Mental Health Care Plan, we start with a Roadmapping session — a 1:1 meeting with one of our senior OTs where we take the time to get to know you, understand your goals, and figure out what support would be most helpful. You can find out more information about what we ask here.
From there, we might work with you individually, or we might talk about whether one of our therapeutic group programs could be a good fit. Our groups focus on building genuine social confidence and connection — through shared experiences with peers, in a safe and therapeutically-supported space.
Everything we do is trauma-informed, neuroaffirming, and strengths-based.
What if I don't have a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan is just one way to access our services. We also work with young people who:
Are NDIS participants (we are not a registered provider, so you need to be self-managed or plan-managed)
Are self-funding (paying privately)
If you're not sure which option suits you, reach out and we'll help you figure it out. We're always happy to have a no-obligation chat before you commit to anything.
Ready to take the next step?
If you think a Mental Health Care Plan and mental health OT might be right for you or your young person, here's what to do:
Book a longer appointment with your GP and mention you'd like a Mental Health Care Plan to see a mental health OT
Contact us — by phone on (03) 9123 4167 or email at hello@socialconfidencecollective.com.au
Have a free conversation with one of our team to see if we're the right fit
You can find out more about our services at socialconfidencecollective.com.au