How your private health cover can support your mental health

Published May 2024 | 5 min read
Expert contributors Jeremy Cowden, psychologist at PSYCH2U; Kirrilie Smout, clinical psychologist at Calm Kid Central
Words by Angela Tufvesson

From making GPs more accessible to providing treatment options for anxiety and depression, here’s how your health cover can support your mental wellbeing.  

We live in a complex and constantly changing world where local and global issues – including the growth of social media, the rising cost of living, access to services, and financial uncertainty – are placing increasing pressure on our mental wellbeing.

One in five Aussie adults experiences a mental health condition each year, and 45% of adults will be affected by mental illness at some time during their life. Women are more likely to experience psychological distress than men, while Indigenous Australians and LGBTIQA+ people rate their mental health as poorer than other groups.

Loneliness also affects many Aussies with a recent report finding one in three adults considering themselves moderately lonely and one in six reporting severe loneliness. Interestingly, while 42% of Aussies believe loneliness mainly affects older adults (65 and over), according to the latest HILDA data, younger Aussies are actually experiencing more psychological distress and loneliness right now compared to older age groups. A recent study led by the University of Sydney even found Aussies born in the 1990s have worse mental health for their age than any previous generation and are less likely to experience improvements in their mental health as they age, compared to those born earlier.

It’s always important to speak to your GP if you are experiencing loneliness or mental health challenges. As Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, HCF also offers a range of preventative and treatment options to support eligible members' mental wellbeing and help them thrive. Here’s how to use your private health insurance to access the tools and services you might need, and other resources to support your mental health.

Does Medicare cover mental health benefits?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition, your GP can provide up to 10 Medicare-subsidised individual sessions and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional under a ‘mental health treatment plan’.

“A mental health care plan provides a substantial rebate. After the initial set of six sessions, you can go back to your GP and increase it to 10 sessions if required,” explains psychologist Jeremy Cowden from PSYCH2U.

Private health insurance can also provide extra support and services. At HCF, we know how important it is to access mental health support when and where you need it. So, we’ve increased our cover for mental health services on selected extras.

Members with eligible extras cover^* can now claim consultations with a psychologist (if you don’t have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan or you’ve used it up), an HCF-approved counsellor, or an accredited mental health social worker. We also provide cover for eligible online cognitive behavioural therapy courses, delivered by This Way Up^{^}.

6 ways your HCF health cover can support your mental health

1. Help you prioritise mental health

We’re more aware than ever that looking after our mental health is just as important as our physical health. “We’ve learned a lot about mental health and preventative strategies, and the positive benefits of eating well, getting enough sleep and regular exercise, and social connections,” says Jeremy.

Just as you’d schedule in regular check-ups for your physical health, a mental health check-up can address any concerns and connect you with appropriate support tailored to your needs. HCF’s free HealthyMinds Check-in⁺ gives you fast and easy access to a telehealth consultation with a PSYCH2U psychologist, who’ll help you understand if you're experiencing challenges such as stress, grief, anxiety and depression.

2. We make GPs more accessible

Your GP is usually your first port of call for mental health concerns. They can assess and diagnose mental health conditions, work with you to create a mental health treatment plan and connect you with mental health professionals.

“In most cases, a good first step is talking to your GP, who you likely feel comfortable with,” says Jeremy.

You can see your GP in person or via telehealth. Our partnership with GP2U, an online video GP service, makes it easier for eligible members to access telehealth services. All HCF members with health cover can access a standard 10-minute GP consultation for a fee of $50.

3. Help to manage anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, affecting 3 million people at any one time. One in four people will experience anxiety at some stage in their life.

While anxiety is a natural and short-term reaction to a stressful situation, severe, frequent and ongoing symptoms can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. “The reason anxiety is so common is that anxiety is something we need to get by in life in some way,” explains Jeremy. “The difference between where it's useful and where it's not becomes a problem.”

If you prefer the comfort of your own home for psychology appointments, you can speak to a PSYCH2U expert about your concerns or symptoms. Their qualified psychiatrists and psychologists can help guide you to get the mental health support you need.

Online programs like This Way Up^ deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), an evidence-based type of talking therapy that works to reorient negative thinking. Anxiety also has strong links with poor sleep and the Sleepfit^# app offers an evidence-based digital sleep solution. Both programs are supported by HCF and as such, eligible members can sign up for discounted or even free access.

4. Support for depression

Depression affects as many as one in seven Aussies in their lifetime. It’s more than a bad day or low mood, says Jeremy. “If you’re unable to do what you need to do in your life, and if these feelings have been going on for a long time and don’t feel connected to an event, it may be a sign of depression.”

Psychological treatments like CBT, interpersonal therapy – which focuses on how we form relationships – and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy that involves mindfulness meditation can help to treat depression by changing behaviours and ways of thinking. Members with eligible extras cover can claim consultations with a psychologist^*, HCF-approved counsellor and accredited mental health social worker.

5. Help to stop drinking

Alcohol is a big part of Aussie culture but drinking too much, too often can affect your ability to regulate your mood and emotions – and this can affect your mental health.

“Alcohol is a depressant,” explains Jeremy. “When we're feeling the immediate effects of it, we can sometimes feel quite nice, but alcohol lowers our mood in the longer term. It also changes our brain chemistry and reduces our capacity to address problems that are making us feel bad.”

You can reset your drinking habits and track your alcohol intake with the Daybreak app, Hello Sunday Morning’s online behaviour change program giving you access to 24/7 digital support with an online supportive community doing the same. Eligible HCF members have access to additional mental health support^{^}. 

However, while the occasional big night out, or a stress-relief or ‘reward’ habit of drinking, might feel like a part of our pub culture, a dependence on alcohol can lead to alcoholism – a form of substance abuse. If you think you your day-to-day life is being affected by your relationship with alcohol, the first step to getting help is reaching out for support. There are several government-funded, free services that can offer advice, resources and much-needed support.

6. Support for kids

An estimated one in seven Aussie children and teens has recently experienced a mental health problem. Research shows that children with mental health problems are at increased risk of continued issues into adulthood. Yet a recent HCF/YouGov survey found that more than one third of parents admit that they haven’t sought any mental health support for their primary schooler, while 53% said their primary school-aged child had experienced mental health challenges in the past 12 months. A further one in three parents stated that their child had been diagnosed with a mental health (or neurodevelopmental) condition, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and anxiety.

Kirrilie Smout is a clinical psychologist at Calm Kid Central, an online educational and support program helping kids aged 4 to 11 manage their big feelings and emotional challenges. She says it can be helpful for parents to keep an eye on how their child is coping with daily life.

“How do you feel your child is going when compared to other kids their age? [Think about] how do they interact with their friends? How are they sleeping? How do you feel your child manages worries?” she says. “All children experience difficulties with things like managing frustrations and times when they feel sad – it’s about frequency and severity.”

For added support, eligible HCF members who have hospital and extras cover and children aged 4 to 11 can access Calm Kid Central^**. The program provides interactive activities and games for your child to learn positive behaviours and manage challenging life situations. Parents can also get fast and easy access to an online forum of child psychologists who can answer your questions within 48 hours, as well as tools and resources to help you support your child.

When it comes to teenagers, recognising emotional issues early is the best way to protect your child against depression and anxiety. Find information on how to approach conversations about mental health with teenagers in the second season of our popular podcast, Navigating Parenthood.

Uncommon Care is mental health support that’s got you covered

Everyone’s mental health journey is different, and often finding where to go for support for yourself or your loved ones can be challenging. That’s why we’ve developed a holistic for eligible members range of mental wellbeing programs with access to a range of options for all ages, and the freedom to choose what works for you. Learn more about our mental health services.

If you're struggling and need to speak to someone now, you can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14.