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, and can include: 

• clinical nursing services
• family support and liaison
• care coordination and liaison (clinical and non-clinical)
• improved access to health care, including mental health services.
  

MHICC services can be delivered by mental health nurses, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and eligible mental health workers, social workers, peer support workers and occupational therapists.

Who are MHICC services for?

MHICC services are for people who:

• live or work in the SEMPHN catchment, and 
• have a health care card or can’t afford/access similar services, and
• are not currently accessing similar support under the NDIS.

To be eligible for MHICC services, people also need to:

1. Have an assessment and diagnosis of mental illness that is significantly impacting their social, personal or work life; have complex needs; and be at risk of hospitalisation if appropriate treatment and care is not provided
2. Have a GP, psychiatrist or relevant healthcare practitioner who is currently managing their care in a primary healthcare setting
3. Have a current GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, or equivalent plan prepared by a psychiatrist or relevant healthcare practitioner. In the instance where individuals do not have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, they will be supported by their MHICC Provider to access one.

*If a person does not have a confirmed diagnosis, an assessment will be conducted and a clinical diagnosis determined by the MHICC provider confirming eligibility for the service.

Who can refer to MHICC services?

Referrals can be made by anyone including consumers and their carers, GPs and other primary health providers, social services and other organisations. 

How to refer to MHICC services

Referrals can be made to:

• SEMPHN Access & Referral (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays) Ph: 1800 862 363 
• Fax: 1300 354 053

 GPs can fax referrals and a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to 1300 354 053 or call 1800 862 363 for priority assistance. Referral forms (including medical software templates) are available on the SEMPHN Access & Referral page. Other referral forms are accepted if they contain the required information.

Consent is needed for clients to receive services. 

MHICC is not a crisis response service and does not provide after-hours or emergency mental health advice or support. In case of emergency, call triple zero (000).