Accessible Psychological Interventions
Flexible support for people with mild to moderate mental illness
What are API Services?
Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) services include a range of short term psychological interventions. These are available in individual (face-to-face, telephone or secure video consultation), family and group formats and are matched to people’s needs.
Interventions include:
- cognitive-behavioural therapy
- skills training
- psycho-education
- relaxation strategies
- other evidence-based interventions.
API services can be delivered by clinical psychologists, psychologists, mental health social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses.
Refer via SEMPHN Access & Referral (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays) Ph: 1800 862 363 Or Fax: 1300 354 053.
Who are API services for?
API services are for people who:
- Live or work in the SEMPHN catchment, and
- Have a health care card or can’t afford or access similar services, and
- have an assessment and diagnosis of mild-moderate mental illness* (except for children under 12 or people at risk of suicide), such as mild depression or anxiety.
*If a person does not have a confirmed diagnosis, an assessment will be conducted and a clinical diagnosis determined by the API provider confirming eligibility for the service. The API Provider can assist referrers and consumers with GP linkage and liaison.
Referrals for API services are particularly encouraged for people in the following groups:
| Priority groups |
Eligibility criteria |
|---|---|
| Children under 12 | The consumer is aged under 12 |
| People living in residential aged care facilities | The consumer resides in an aged care facility |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | The consumer self-identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person |
| People experiencing homelessness | The consumer falls into one of the following categories of homelessness: marginally, tertiary, secondary or primary. |
| People at risk of suicide | The referral source indicates that the consumer is at risk of suicide |
| Culturally and linguistically diverse people | The consumer was not born in Australia, and has poor levels of spoken English |
| Women with perinatal depression | The referral source indicates that the consumer has perinatal depression |
| People with substance use disorders | The referral source indicates that the consumer has substance use disorders and a mental illness |
| People who have experienced family violence | The referral source indicates that the consumer has experienced family violence |
Who can refer to API services?
Referrals can be made by anyone including GPs and other primary health providers, schools, social services, other organisations and self-referral.
How to refer to API services
GPs can fax referrals and GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to 1300 354 053 or call 1800 862 363 for priority assistance.
Referrals can be made to:
- SEMPHN Access & Referral (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays): 1800 862 363
- Fax: 1300 354 053
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.
API services do not provide after-hours or emergency mental health advice or support. In case of emergency, call 000.
More information
- Download the API Brochure for GPs and health professionals Brochure for GPs and health professionals
- Call SEMPHN Access & Referral (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays) or visit here.
- For information about Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) visit here.
- For more information about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) visit here.
- Our Stepped Care Model brochure gives an overview of the model.
Background to mental health changes
SEMPHN plays an important yet limited part in the primary mental health system.
In line with mental health reform across Australia, SEMPHN released its Mental Health Stepped Care Model in 2016.
The model was informed by:
- findings of the National Mental Health Commission’s review
- evidence-based best practice
- consultation with stakeholders including consumers, health professionals and service providers
- extensive data analysis.
We use the Stepped Care Model to guide the commissioning of new flexible services in our region for people with mild/moderate and severe/complex mental health needs.
Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) and the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) were phased out in early 2018.
Mental health
South Eastern Melbourne PHN acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land our catchment covers, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people. We pay respect to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future, and uphold their relationship to this land.
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.
South East Melbourne Primary Health Network
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