Privacy and your mental health

If you’re thinking about seeking help for your mental health, it’s natural to have concerns about privacy.  You might worry that seeking help could compromise your ability to find a job or get health insurance in the future.

There are several laws that protect your health information in different settings. These laws clearly state that no one can share your mental health history without your permission.

This means that, unless you agree to it, your information can’t be given to your insurance company or employer.

If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please seek help when you need it.

Privacy and health care providers

The information you share with your counselling and support services is bound by patient confidentiality. That means that anything you tell your health professional won’t be shared with anyone else.

Mental health care plans are covered by additional laws that allow your health care providers to use your information only for your treatment and care.

In both cases, your health care providers are not permitted to share your information without consent, except to prevent harm to you or someone else.

Privacy at work

You have a right to privacy. You don’t have to tell current or prospective employers about your mental health, unless your condition could put you or your colleagues in danger.

Under fair work legislation, it’s also illegal for an employer to discriminate against you due to your mental illness.

Find out more about your legal rights and responsibilities.

Privacy and health insurance

Getting help for your mental health will not affect your ability to obtain health insurance or make a claim against your policy.

Health insurers are covered by laws that mean they must:

• charge everyone the same premium for the same product and
• provide cover to anybody who seeks it.

They can’t charge different premiums based on your past or possible future health.

Privacy and life insurance

Life insurance is a risk rated product, which means that insurers can charge different premiums to different customers.

Some life insurers will request detailed medical information to calculate your premiums, while others won’t. Any insurer will still need permission to access this information, which you can choose to deny or restrict.

Even with access to full medical information, very few life insurance applications are ever turned down.

It’s important to check all details of an insurer and research to find a policy that is right for you.

Seeking help for your mental health can feel intimidating but know that your privacy will be protected when you seek the help you need.