The importance of maintaining your mental health

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Mental health

Almost half of all Australians aged between 16-85 years, or 7.3 million people, will experience mental illness at some point in their life. That means that you or someone you love might need to access help one day.

There are many different mental illnesses, and symptoms might range from mild to severe. While mental health conditions are serious, they are treatable. There are things you can do at home to help alleviate negative emotions and there are different pathways to access professional help too.

About mental health

Statistics

20%

One in five of us will experience a common mental disorder in a given year.

50%

Half of Australians will experience a common mental disorder in their lifetime

310,471

people went to emergency departments for mental health treatment in 2019-2020

4

in every 10 people who went to emergency departments needed a hospital admission.

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CBHS helped to save my life this year. If my hospital insurance didn’t cover psychiatric care, I don’t know that I would still be alive. CBHS paid every cent of the very expensive inpatient stay that I had, and as a result I’m currently sitting at home with my husband and two young kids, alive and getting better one day at a time.

Megan

Mental health programs and support

Care outside of hospital

CBHS Better Living programs may help members manage their mental health at home. The program includes home visits from registered mental health nurses, support for medication regimes and coordinating appropriate care. Read more about our Better Living Program

Going to hospital

All the information you need to know as a private patient entering a hospital.

Immediate help

If you or someone you know, needs urgent help, go straight to your GP or hospital emergency department, or contact a 24/7 crisis centre

Talk therapy

Many people find counselling or talking to a professional can help with mental health concerns. Psychology is covered under CBHS Extras. Psychologists can assess, diagnose and treat mental health, behavioural and emotional disorders. The amount of benefits you can claim will depend on your level of cover. Check your policy for details or view CBHS Extras cover.

Mental Health Navigator

Members with CBHS Corporate Premium Package (Gold) can also access our Mental Health Navigator, which offers confidential support from the comfort of your own home. After a virtual meeting with a mental health nurse you’re referred to a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist for a detailed assessment via video link. The nurse then guides you to follow-up treatment and supports you for six months. Read more about Mental Health Navigator.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique using a mild form of magnetic therapy that can successfully treat depression and other psychiatric disorders. This is available as an outpatient treatment through our Hospital Substitute Treatment program in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. Your treating psychiatrist will decide if TMS might be appropriate. Read more about Hospital Substitute Treatment program.

Sources

https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health
https://www.aihw.gov.au
https://www.sane.org/

All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified health care professional.

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