Residents of Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs who live with complex mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or OCD can now access much-needed extra support.
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) has partnered with national mental health organisation SANE to develop and design a new guided service to help people with multi-faceted mental health challenges.
People who fall into this category can experience negative outcomes a broad range of areas, including housing, employment and income. They constitute one of the most at-risk sections of the community and often ‘fall through the cracks’ in the general primary health care system.
The SANE guided program provides access to a many different types of help, including counselling, peer support, health information online forums, social groups and other activities. It complements medical care already being received, or provides immediate support in the period before medical care can be delivered.
The organisation’s digital platform can be reached through calling Head to Health, the Australian Government’s central intake service for all types of mental health care.
Head to Health operates on the idea that there should be “no wrong door” into mental health care. It uses a single contact number across Victoria – 1800 595 212 – staffed by experienced counsellors who will link every caller to a service tailored to their needs.
SANE’s guided system is also designed to provide mental health support for the autistic community and those with intellectual disability.
Head to Health’s number 1800 595 12 operates Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm. Its website – headtohealthvic.org.au – is also available. SANE can be reached independently here.
CAREinMIND mental health services funded by NWMPHN, on 03 9088 4277 or visit careinmind.com.au
For urgent mental health care outside those hours please contact:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14.
For all enquiries:
Andrew Masterson: andrew.masterson@nwmphn.org.au; 0488 777 179
