Mental health services

Mental health stepped care offers a flexible hierarchy of tailored interventions matched to an individual’s needs. Stepped care is about ensuring that people can access the most appropriate services at any given time – including the ability to step up and down to different levels of care as their needs vary.

Artius Health

These services are supported by a central intake and triage service run by Artius Health which helps to direct patients to the right services for their needs.

Call 1300 219 658 to speak to a trained health professional who will direct you to the best service for your needs.

Partners in Recovery (PIR)

PIR supports people with a severe and persistent mental illness who are experiencing complex needs. Support Facilitators aim to link people with services and supports based on their needs and coordinate these services and supports. PIR also supports carers and families by putting them in touch with different local services for support and helping everyone to connect, collaborate and integrate.

About stepped care

The stepped care model has been developed in close consultation with mental health experts, consumer and carer groups and is the result of many years of advocacy from the sector.

Our region’s health needs and priority areas are outlined in our 2017-18 Mental Health Needs Assessment Reference. Using this planning information, and within a robust tender process, our PHN has commissioned mental health providers in the community to deliver these services.

Our philosophy of building on and enhancing the existing mental health system is coupled with a rigorous monitoring framework aimed at ensuring service effectiveness.

Low-intensity psychological services

These services are aimed at early intervention for people who are experiencing life stress, or are at risk of or experiencing mild to moderate mental ill health.

These can be accessed online, telephone, face-to-face or as group services.
They don’t require a referral and people can access the services as they need them.
If the severity of a person’s illness increases then a GP can review their needs to potentially access more intense supports.

Psychological services for under serviced groups

Primary mental health services for severe mental illness

These services provide clinical care coordination for people with a diagnosed mental illness that is ongoing and significantly impacts on their social, personal and work life.

Care coordination is provided by a mental health nurse credentialed with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses or equivalent
May involve consulting with primary and acute care providers, emergency services, family and other agencies to improve integration of services with the aim of improving clinical outcomes.

Suicide prevention aftercare service

Suicide prevention aftercare provides outreach and follow-up to people directly after a suicide attempt.

Focuses on connecting people to existing health, clinical and community based support.
Referrals often be made by acute care or emergency departments.
People will access services which may be provided by vocationally qualified mental health workers, or qualified lived experience practitioners.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health

Members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community can access culturally appropriate care coordination and mental health services provided by culturally competent mental health professionals.

Opportunities for referral may include self-referral, general practice or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services.
Services will address the needs of clients with different care requirements – from low-care to high-care.
Care coordination may involve working in partnership with primary and acute care providers, emergency services, family, community and other agencies to improve integration of services with the aim of improving clinical outcomes.

Child and youth primary mental health care services

These services deliver youth-specific care coordination and mental health services for people under 25 years.

Services are provided by clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing workers.
Referral pathways include general practice, headspace centres, or early youth psychosis centre.
Care coordination may involve working in partnership with primary and acute care providers, family, school, employers and other agencies to improve integration of services with the aim of improving clinical outcomes.

Guidelines and resources

RANZP Guidelines for Clinical Practice
General Practice Mental Health Standards
Queensland Plan for Mental Health
A_Z of Mental Health Publications
Mental Health Triage Guide
GP Mental Health Care Plan Templates
eMental Health – A guide for GP’s – The RACGP has developed e-Mental health: A guide for GPs to assist you in using e-mental health interventions with your patients when it is safe to do so. The Guide is designed to provide an introduction to the field of e-mental health, direct you to key online resources for you and your patients, and help you to decide how to use e-mental health in your practice.
Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents – updated 14/09/2018
eMental Health in Practice – mental health training and support for health practitioners – updated 14/09/2018
Suicide Prevention and First Aid for GPs – General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration [PDF, 808 KB] – updated 17/09/2018
myCompass – a personalised online self help tool and resource for individuals and health providers. – updated 19/09/2018

Dial 000 in an emergency

If someone is at immediate risk of attempting to harm themselves or someone else, call triple zero (000).

Support services

Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Men’s Line Australia 1300 78 99 78

Fact sheets

The new approach to mental health care will allow clients to access the most appropriate services via a more streamlined process. Find out how these changes affect you.

I am a GP
How the changes to mental health services affect you and your patients. Read more
I am a client or carer
Learn about the changes are being made to mental health services in your region. Read more
I am a stakeholder
How the changes to mental health services affect your community.
Read more
FAQs
The PHN is implementing stepped care mental health services in our region.
Read more

Reporting requirements

If you a commissioned provider of mental health services, review your reporting requirements.

Referral pathways

Central Queensland

CQ HealthPathways – found under allied psychological Services
If you are not a HealthPathways user, contact Sarah Smith via email or telephone (07) 4921 7777

Wide Bay

WB HealthPathways – found under psychology requests
If you are not a HealthPathways user, contact Bonnie Dale via email or telephone (07) 4131 0800

Sunshine Coast and Gympie

SC HealthPathways – found under psychology and counselling
If you are not a HealthPathways user, contact Clinton Bazley via email or telephone (07) 5456 8100.