At CBHS we help you manage your health challenges. We believe in offering you the services, support and tools you need to live your best life.
Our Better Living Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Better Living Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.
About mental health
The most common mental health issues in Australians are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorders. However, other mental health conditions include mood disorders (e.g. bipolar), personality disorders, psychotic disorders (e.g. schizophrenia), eating disorders and trauma-related disorders (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD).
People can suffer from just one, or any combination of these.
Treatment is not one-size fits all. Your mental health condition may respond differently to different treatment regimes, and it make take time to find what works. What we know for sure is that the earlier you get treatment, the better your prospects for recovery will be. So, please don’t wait until you are really ill to begin your treatment journey.
What are some of the ways in which CBHS can help you or a loved one begin their return to positive mental health?
Supporting your needs at home
Home, surrounded by the people and things you love, is sometimes the best place to be when you’re trying to get better. CBHS Better Living programs help you to self-manage your health condition, and may be helpful for members experiencing mental health issues. Features of the program include:
- Home visits from registered mental health nurses
- Assessment of your individual needs
- Support for medication regimes
- Improvement in social situations
- Determination and coordination of appropriate care
In 2018, members taking part in a Better Living program for mental health showed an increase in knowledge of their condition, medication and treatment options available. They also increased their understanding of the importance of support systems, identifying sensitivities and triggers and healthy routines including diet and exercise. On graduation from the program, members reported improvements in their ability to self-manage their condition.
Going to hospital
It is important to check your cover before you receive mental health treatment in a private hospital. We’ll be able to tell you whether your Hospital policy can cover the cost of hospital accommodation and a portion of the medical fees. Some levels of cover restrict psychiatric services, but in 2018 the Australian Government introduced a once-per-lifetime waiting period waiver if you need to upgrade your cover to access higher inpatient psychiatric care benefits now. You must have held continuous Hospital cover for two months to be eligible for the waiver.
If you’re expecting a hospital admission, contact CBHS, your hospital and your doctor to obtain informed financial consent (likely cost of treatment) and to find out how much will be covered, how much you will have to pay, and any other expenses.
Self-care and managing your symptoms
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 healthcare professional.