Mental health

SEMPHN coordinates primary mental health care across south eastern Melbourne and commissions services to address the mental health needs of our community.

We commission services to support people with mild, moderate and severe mental health needs. 

These services range from peer-support, to brief psychological interventions, to individual packages of care. These services form part of the Mental Health Stepped Care Model approach, which tailors care to individual need and illness severity.

What is the Mental Health Stepped Care model?

This model approach allows for people experiencing different levels of mental health needs and illnesses to access a service most suited to them. Consumers are able to step up or step down to different levels of care as their needs change. 

SEMPHN consulted with a range of stakeholders to develop a Mental Health Stepped Care Model in 2016.

The model has an evidence base supported by SEMPHN’s Mental Health Needs Assessment, which includes information from over 100 sources. 

---

HeadtoHelp

South Eastern Melbourne PHN is hosting three HeadtoHelp mental health hubs in Frankston, Officer and Berwick:

• Berwick Healthcare, 76 Clyde Road, Berwick, Victoria, 3806
• Young Street Medical and Dental, 89/97 Young Street, Frankston, Victoria, 3199
• Officer Medical Centre, 4 Cardinia Road, Officer, Victoria, 3809

For more information, you can visit our HeadtoHelp webpage, www.headtohelp.org.au, call 1800 595 212, or read the FAQ.

---

Accessible Psychological Interventions (API)

Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) services include a range of short-term psychological interventions for people with mild depression or anxiety. These services are available in individual (face-to-face, telephone or secure video consultation), family and group formats and are matched to people’s needs.

API services are also available across south eastern Melbourne to Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) residents who struggle with mental illnesses or are at risk.

Why is this service needed?

API offers accessible ways for people with mild depression or anxiety to access the mental health services they need. 

Video consultations are one way API clients can do this. API’s video consultations offer mental health consultations which are not dependent on geographic location, or people’s ability to attend appointments face-to-face. 

API services are also offered to older people living in RACFs, as mental health services are not been routinely available or within the scope of personal care or accommodation services RACFs provide. There is evidence that RACF residents have very high rates of common mental illness. It is estimated that approximately 40 per cent of all permanent aged care residents are living with mild to moderate depression. This service is intended to address this service gap.

Who have we commissioned?

API services are available across south eastern Melbourne. 

• Connect Health provides this service in the local government area (LGA) of Bayside. 
• Better Place Australia provides this service in the LGAs of Cardinia and Kingston. 
• Mentis provides this service across the Mornington Peninsula
• EACH providers this service in the LGAs of Casey and the City Greater Dandenong
• LifeWorks provides this service in the LGAs of City of Frankston and Glen Eira
• StarHealth provide this service in the LGAs of Port Phillip and Stonnington. 

API services in RACFs

Better Place Australia and StarHealth were commissioned to deliver API services in Mornington and across the SEMPHN catchment, respectively. 

Read more information about API services.

---

Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) services

Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) services offer support for consumers with severe mental illness and complex needs who require coordination of their care over an extended period of time (6-12 months). MHICC services are highly flexible to match people’s individual needs.

Why is this service needed?

MHICC services are available for population groups that are harder to reach or are underserviced, and cannot currently access National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Who have we commissioned?

MHICC Services commenced 1 December 2017. Are delivered by the following organisations

• First Step — Port Phillip
• Mentis Assist — Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula
• Mind Australia — Greater Dandenong
• Star Health — Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston, Stonnington

Read more about MHICC services.

Check out this short video about how our MHICC services are helping people in the community.

---

Low-Intensity Mental Health Services

Connect

Connect is a peer-led mental health service designed to support people experiencing significant stress, anxiety, grief, sadness and related emotions. 

Peer mentors support individuals to develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to improve their wellbeing and community connections. 

Support and information are available in person, over the phone, and online. Connect is a multilingual team that reflects the diversity of its community. 

Why is this service needed?

Low-intensity services support people who are at risk of mild mental illness through group activities and enhancing social connectedness. 

Who have we commissioned?

Family Life delivers this service across the SEMPHN catchment. 

GriefLine

GriefLine provides free telephone-based counselling support, seven days a week, to anyone experiencing grief, loss, trauma and the many related feelings that can occur as a result. GriefLine provides early intervention and prevention of mental health difficulties which may compound a person’s experience of grief, loss and trauma, via individual and/or group counselling. 

Why is this service needed?

The service supports consumers, family members and carers who are experiencing loss and grief. These services specifically address the local needs of culturally and linguistically diverse people, consumers with mental ill-health, as well as people who work in emergency services and youth.

Who have we commissioned?

Grief Line has been commissioned to deliver this service across the SEMPHN catchment. 

---

Aboriginal Mental Health Services

Why is this service needed?

Integrated, culturally appropriate and safe mental health services can holistically meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the local level. Recognising the connection to culture and country will lead to improved social and emotional wellbeing. Culturally appropriate services can facilitate more effective mental health service delivery and improved mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Who have we commissioned?

First People’s Health and Wellbeing delivers this service.

---

Psychosocial support services (PSS)

Psychosocial Support Services address the needs of people who are not eligible for the NDIS and who may otherwise ‘fall through the gaps’. This service builds psychosocial functional capacity to address individual needs and complements clinical mental health and broader physical health and social support. The focus is on building capacity and connectedness at times when most needed, rather than ongoing support. 

Who have we commissioned?

Ermha delivers this service, in partnership with Launch Housing. 

Read more information about Ermha.

Read more information about psychosocial support services.

---

Youth mental health

Read more about SEMPHN's commissioned youth mental health services.

---

Suicide Prevention

Read more about SEMPHN’s commissioned Suicide Prevention services and programs. 

---

Commissioning opportunities

To hear about future commissioning opportunities, subscribe to our Commissioning Newsletter SEMaphore and register via eProcure here.

For general information or queries about commissioning, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

---

Associated tags

• ataps
• commissioning
• mental health
• mhnip
• stepped care