New psychosocial support services delivered by Neami National and cohealth are now operating across the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) region. The services provide a new range of psychosocial supports for people with severe mental illness who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
What do we mean by ‘psychosocial support’?
Psychosocial support can assist people with severe mental illness to participate in their community, manage daily tasks, undertake work or study, find housing, get involved in activities, and make connections with family and friends. Supports can empower people to learn new skills, reach financial stability, reduce substance use and enjoy day-to-day life. Psychosocial supports are specific to the person and their needs.
Supports can be provided by peer workers employed within well-supervised and connected teams. Services are safe, culturally aware and people have choice and flexibility in terms of the supports they receive.
What are the eligibility criteria?
The new psychosocial support services will provide much needed support for people with severe and complex mental illness who are not eligible for assistance through the NDIS.
The new service is for people who:
- Have severe and complex mental illness
- Are ineligible for the NDIS
- Consumers who until recently were supported by Commonwealth mental health programs:
- Partners in Recovery (PIR)
- Support for Day-to-Day Living in the Community (D2DL)
- Personal Helpers and Mentors Service (PHaMS)
These consumers are currently being supported through continuity of support (CoS) which is providing ongoing psychosocial supports.
- Do not access State Government funded community mental health support services (Early Interventions Psychosocial Support Response (EIPSR) program)
There is no age restriction and it is not means tested.
What sorts of services are offered?
Services are tailored to each client’s needs and may include direct support from an outreach worker, help with daily living activities, help with return to work or education, family connection, housing support, health coaching, community participation, service navigation and emotional support and mentoring.
If a client is not eligible for psychosocial supports they will be offered assistance to find other appropriate services.
Locations 
Neami National is providing services in the central and northern areas of the NWMPHN catchment including:
- Melbourne
- Yarra
- Moreland
- Moonee Valley
- Darebin
- Hume
- Macedon Ranges
cohealth is providing services in the west including:
- Wyndham
- Melton
- Brimbank
- Hobson’s Bay
- Maribyrnong
- Moorabool
For more information on locations in your area, please contact the providers directly:
Referral information
Any professional can refer potential consumers who meet the eligibility criteria by completing the referral form for Neami or cohealth or by contacting the service provider in their region directly.
Consumers must provide consent to be referred. Verbal consent will be requested at referral enquiry (call) and then signed consent when registering the person for the service.
Individuals can self-refer, if they believe they meet the eligibility criteria, by contacting the service provider in their region.
Carers can make enquires and refer on behalf of their family member or friend, with that person’s consent.
Referrers should note that psychosocial support services are not set up to assist people who need support applying for the NDIS, especially if the person is just commencing the process. These people should be referred to their Local Area Coordinator. For NDIS assistance, contact your closest Brotherhood of St Laurence Local Area Coordinator by calling 1300 275 634 or visiting ndis.bsl.org.au
Where can I get more information?
For general questions about this program please contact:
Lee-Ann Boyle
Lead, Psychosocial Supports
NWMPHN
P: 03 9347 1188
E: lee-ann.boyle@nwmphn.org.au
You can also find information on the NWMPHN website.
You can contact psychosocial support providers directly:
Neami National
W: neaminational.org.au
P: 1300 052 588
E: NorthernMelbournePSS@neaminational.org.au
cohealth
W: cohealth.org.au
P: 03 9448 6880
E: mh@cohealth.org.au
HealthPathways Melbourne 
HealthPathways Melbourne has links to Mental Health Service Referrals. These pages cover a range of mental health services and related disorders, including Adult Psychological Therapy and Counselling services, along with the required information needed to refer a patient.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) pathway covers advice for patients who may be eligible for the scheme.
If you do not have access to HealthPathways please contact info@healthpathwaysmelbourne.org.au
Disclaimer: This article was provided by NWMPHN. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
