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.

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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.

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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 especially 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. 

Psychosocial supports

SEMPHN has commissioned two psychosocial support services in 2019 to assist people with severe mental illness.

The Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) include the National Psychosocial Support (NPS) measure and the Continuity of Support (CoS) service. These are intended to address the needs of people with severe mental illness who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

SEMPHN’s Transition Support Program (TSP) will help consumers whose support program has ceased on 30 June 2019. Consumers of Partners in Recovery (PIR), Day to Day Living (D2DL) and Personal Helpers and Mentors Service (PHaMs) programs will be supported through the TSP to test eligibility and transition to the NDIS if they are eligible, or the CoS service, delivered by Ermha, if they are ineligible.

• 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.

Clinical Toolkit

Refer to Headspace services in the SEMPHN catchment

• headspace Dandenong
• headspace Narre Warren
• headspace Frankston
• headspace Bentleigh
• headspace Elsternwick

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Help lines for patients

• Suicide Line 1300 651 251
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 476
• Lifeline (24-hour crisis counselling) 13 1114

NB - Other phone support lines across many mental health conditions are listed here.

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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.

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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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Associated tags

• general practice
• health professionals
• mental health