Commonwealth Psychosocial Support

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) commissions Neami National and cohealth to deliver Commonwealth Psychosocial Support (CPS) services across its catchment. CPS services are short-term, low intensity supports for people with severe mental illness who are not accessing services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

CPS provides an integrated approach for people with severe and persistent mental illness, who are at risk of physical health conditions and who may benefit from targeted physical health supports and psychosocial support.

This service:

• provides psychosocial support for people with severe mental illness and associated psychosocial functional impairment
• provides non-clinical and recovery-oriented services
• provides NDIS testing support when a person is identified as requiring more intensive or ongoing support
• addresses access and equity in mental and physical health outcomes through service coordination
• uses a multidisciplinary team approach, reducing the need for CPS clients to access more intensive and acute health services.

Services include:

• one-on-one support
• support and rehabilitation groups
• peer-led activities
• linkage to other relevant services and resources.

CPS consumers must be:

• adults with severe mental illness and associated psychosocial functional impairment
• not accessing similar supports through the NDIS or state-based programs.

Neami National provides services in the northern areas of the region (comprising the Melbourne, Yarra, Merri-bek, Moonee Valley, Darebin, Hume and Macedon Ranges local government areas).

cohealth covers the western areas (comprising the Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Hobson’s Bay, Maribyrnong and Moorabool local government areas).

Note: From 1 July 2022, NWMPHN embedded its Integrated Chronic Care (ICC) pilot program into its CPS program. Read the ICC evaluation report here.

Expected outcomes include:

• streamlined and seamless support service to people with severe and persistent mental illness who are at risk of developing one or more physical health conditions
• improved physical health and care coordination for people living with mental illness
• reduced need for more intense and acute physical and mental health services, with more people receiving care in the right place, at the right time
• optimal use of agreed referral pathways to ensure people are directed toward the most appropriate service and support options, including other NWMPHN-commissioned services, mainstream services and tertiary mental health services.
• a consistent intake and assessment process to ensure that people’s needs are most appropriately met within reasonable timeframes and without duplication.

Page updated 1 October 2024.