CAREinMIND Wellbeing Support Service

The Commonwealth Government has funded PHNs since July 2017 to commission a telephone and/or web-based response to people in the NWMPHN region experiencing low intensity mental illness/vulnerability.

Low intensity mental illness is characterised by:

• Mild symptoms of anxiety and depressive illnesses with some impact or potential impact on functioning.
• Stress and life circumstance related thoughts, feelings and behaviours that have a slight impact on functioning.
• Care is voluntary, with no need for a diagnosis or formal referral.

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network has commissioned Lifeline to deliver the CAREinMIND Wellbeing Support Service.  

Lifeline is a social health business, supporting and counselling people, anywhere and anytime. They listen and encourage people to feel better: building resilience, fostering healthy relationships, and connecting people with community support.   

The CAREinMIND Wellbeing Support Service provides free phone and online counselling service that is available to help people in north, central and western suburbs of Melbourne.   

The service provides flexible, immediate support to those who need it the most, including hard-to-reach, vulnerable populations and those that are socially disadvantaged.   

Professionally trained counsellors are available 24/7 to listen, support and encourage patients to connect with others and improve their wellbeing.  

The service provides an initial intake and assessment session, and where appropriate up to three counselling and support services with a final follow up session to help clients stay on track.  

No referral is needed. Visit careinmind.com.au or phone 1300 096 269.   

Based on the Commonwealth Guidance to PHNs this service has been designed to:

• Be available to people residing in the North Western Melbourne PHN region.
• Provide structured brief interventions aimed at people with low to mild mental illness.
• Provide an efficient, evidence-based and low-cost alternative to other available psychological services.
• Provide between one and three sessions.
• Not require a referral but ideally will include liaison with a GP general practitioner (GP) in the person’s overall health and mental health care.
• Link to other providers in North Western Melbourne, as required, to ensure people get the right care for their needs.
• Align with national mental health standards.
• Promote and align with A National Framework for Recovery in Mental Health for 2024-28.

In 2024–25, the service received 5,244 inbound calls, delivered 472 counselling and support sessions, and recorded 61,238 active website users.