
New psychosocial support services delivered by Neami National and cohealth are now operating across the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network region. The services provide a new range of supports for people with severe mental illness, who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
‘Psychosocial support’ is a general term for any non-therapeutic intervention that helps a person cope with stressors in their daily life. Supports are specific to the individual needs of each person and are focused on improving both mental and physical health.
Psychosocial support can assist people with severe mental illness to participate in their community, manage daily tasks, secure stable employment and housing, and connect with family and friends. Supports can empower people to learn new skills, reach financial stability, reduce substance use and enjoy day-to-day life.
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.
Eligibility criteria
Psychosocial support services are for people who:
- would benefit from time-limited, non-clinical psychosocial support
- are ineligible for the NDIS
- are not current consumers of the following previous Commonwealth mental health programs:
- Partners in Recover (PIR)
- Support for Day-to-Day Living in the Community (D2DL)
- Personal Helpers and Mentors Service (PHaMS)
- do not access State Government funded community mental health support services (Early Interventions Psychosocial Support Response (EIPSR) program)
The services will provide much needed support for people with severe and complex mental illness who are not eligible for assistance through the NDIS.
Locations
Neami National is providing services in the northern areas of the NWMPHN catchment including Melbourne, Yarra, Moreland, Moonee Valley, Darebin, Hume and Macedon Ranges.
cohealth is providing services in the west including Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Hobson’s Bay, Maribyrnong and Moorabool.
For more information on locations in your area, please contact Neami National or cohealth.
Referral information
- Any professional can refer potential consumers who meet the eligibility criteria by completing the referral form 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 are able to self-refer, if they believe they met the eligibility criteria, by contacting the service provider in their region.
- Carers are able to 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 by going to ndis.bsl.org.au
Forms and contact details
Northern catchment – Neami National
NorthernMelbournePSS@neaminational.org.au
Ph: 1300 052 588
Referral form (.pdf, 1MB)
Western catchment – cohealth
mh@cohealth.org.au
Ph: 03 9448 6880
Referral form (.pdf, 453KB)