Mental health
Poor mental health can be short term or lifelong and include mood, anxiety, personality, psychotic, and compulsive disorders. About three million Australians are living with depression or anxiety, and around eight people die by suicide daily in Australia.
Mental Health and SEMPHN
SEMPHN commissions primary mental health services to support people with mild mental illness and to develop innovative approaches for treating those with severe illness and complex needs.
In line with the Government’s response to the National Mental Health Commission’s review of programs and services, primary mental health throughout Australia is undergoing reform.
You can read more about the changes and transition here.
To stay up to date with mental health commissioning opportunities and news, register for the SEMaphore newsletter.
Mental health referrals and services
All referrals for SEMPHN-funded mental health services need to be made through SEMPHN’s new Access and Referral. You can call Access & Referral on 1800 862 363.
SEMPHN has two primary mental health services and a central mental health intake:
- Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) – flexible psychological services for people with mild-moderate mental illness
- Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) – flexible support and clinical services for people with severe-complex mental illness.
- SEMPHN Access & Referral – a central phone and fax line (including general practitioner priority line), that links people with primary mental health services, including referrals into the API and MHICC services.
The services are for people with health care cards or who can’t afford/access similar services and specially designed for people from hard-to-reach population groups.
Connect - Low Intensity Program
Connect is a free peer-led mental health service designed to support people experiencing significant stress, anxiety, grief, sadness and related emotions. The Connect - Low Intensity Program's provider is Family Life. Peer mentors support individuals to develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to improve their wellbeing and community connections. Support and information is available in person, over the phone, and online. Connect is a multilingual team that reflects the diversity of its community. Connect is a SEMPHN-funded pilot program.
- View and download the A3 poster for your practice (multi-lingual)
- View and download the brochure for your practice (multi-lingual)
Psychosocial supports
SEMPHN commissioned ermha365 to deliver psychosocial support services to assist people with severe mental illness.
Psychosocial support is any non-therapeutic intervention that can assist people with severe mental illness to participate in their community, manage daily tasks, undertake work or study, find housing, get involved in activities, and make connections with family and friends. Psychosocial supports are specific to the person and their needs.
The service is intended to address the needs of people with severe mental illness who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
- Learn more about eligibility criteria for these services.
- Referral forms for these services are available here.
- View the flyer.
Mental Health Compass
Mental Health Compass has an excellent Mental Health service and support finder. It was created for the Casey, Dandenong and Cardinia region but almost all the services listed are state-wide.
Alfred Health
Alfred Health mental health services listing
Alfred Health 24/7 Psychiatric triage: 1300 363 746
Monash Health
Monash Health mental health services listing
Monash Health 24/7 Psychiatric triage: 1300 369 012
Peninsula Health
Peninsula Health mental health services listing
Peninsula Health 24/7 mental health triage: 1300 792 977
headspace
headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.
Refer to Headspace services in the SEMPHN catchment
- headspace Dandenong
- headspace Narre Warren
- headspace Frankston
- headspace Bentleigh
- headspace Elsternwick
- headspace Rosebud
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 visit www.headtohelp.org.au or call 1800 595 212 or read the FAQ.
Free access to psychiatrist secondary consultations for GPs in the Alfred Health and Monash Health catchments
To support you in addressing the mental health of your patients, SEMPHN has partnered with Alfred Health and Monash Health to provide general practitioners with free access to secondary consultations with an experienced psychiatrist.
You can access a free, 30-minute phone consultation during business hours to discuss your patient’s mental health, for example: diagnostic issues, medication options, developing safety plans and general management.
The service is applicable to patients of all ages and includes generalist and subspecialist advice, including that related to child, aged persons, LGBTIQ, perinatal and intellectual disability.
This is a non-urgent service, and clinical responsibility for the patient remains with you (the treating GP).
To access the service, call SEMPHN’s Access & Referral (1800 862 363, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm weekdays). Faxed referrals will not be accepted.
Alfred Health
You will be asked to provide the following information, which will be sent to the psychiatrist at Alfred Health:
- Confirmation of patient consent for the consultation to occur
- Patient details
- Diagnosis
- Relevant co-morbidities
- Current medications
- Brief overview of treatment to date (e.g. new or existing patient)
- Reason for consultation – consultation questions.
A video/phone appointment time will be arranged with you during this call. Alfred Health will confirm your appointment time and provide meeting details.
At the appointment time, it’s expected that you will have access to your patient’s clinical record in order to be able to answer questions that may arise.
After the appointment, you will be sent a follow-up letter from the psychiatrist, summarising the outcome of the discussion.
To access the service, call SEMPHN’s Access & Referral (1800 862 363, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm weekdays). Faxed referrals will not be accepted.
For more information about Secondary Consultation with Alfred Health, click here.
Monash Health
You will be asked to provide the following information which will be sent to the psychiatrist at Monash Health before the formal consultation:
- Likely diagnosis
- Relevant co-morbidities
- Current and past medications and treatments
- Overview of current mental health issues
- Reason for consultation
Monash Health do not require you to provide patient identifying information, such as name and date of birth, or substantiating documentation such as discharge summaries.
If a psychiatrist is available at the time of your call, SEMPHN’s Access & Referral team will connect you for a phone consultation.
If a psychiatrist is NOT available at the time of your call, you can make an appointment time and meeting details, subject to availability.
To access the service, call SEMPHN’s Access & Referral (1800 862 363, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm weekdays). Faxed referrals will not be accepted.
Helplines for patients
- Suicide Line 1300 651 251
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- Lifeline (24-hour crisis counselling) 13 1114
NB - Other phone support lines across many mental health conditions are listed here.
Online mental health self-help for patients
- Head to Health - provides links to trusted Australian online and phone supports, resources and treatment options.
- Mindhealthconnect - apps and online self-help programs guide
- Reachout – the toolbox - youth-focused online tools guide
- Mental health online - online treatment programs for anxiety disorders and depression
- beyondblue online community forums - support and discussion about anxiety, depression and suicide.
- Enliven - South East Service Navigator - an online directory of services across the south east including AOD, Mental Health, Housing and Family Services sectors.
Information, resources and support
- Mindhealthconnect - Healthdirect’s mental health and wellbeing website.
- beyondblue - main focus on depression and anxiety
- Black Dog Institute - mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
- Sane - low and high prevalence mental health conditions
- Reachout - under 25s and family focused online support.
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While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.
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