Mental health referral services

Most Australians with mental health issues access mental health services through their General Practitioner or other primary care provider. People who are seriously affected by their illness may be referred to the specialist mental health service system. When working with a disaster-impacted patient, there are a number of Australian organisations with practitioner resources or referral services for patients.

Resources for practitioners

• Head to Health: Links to trusted Australian online and phone supports, resources and treatment options.
• PHN networks provide links to Health Pathways, an online health information portal for GPs and other primary health clinicians, to be used at the point of care.
• Red Cross – Best Practice Guidelines: Information on supporting communities, before, during and after collective trauma events.
• Emerging Minds: Emerging Minds develops mental health policy, services, interventions, training, programs and resources in response to the needs of professionals, children and their families.
• Healing Foundation: Online hub for people working in healing, health, justice, education, employment, child protection and family violence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Black Dog Institute: Research institute providing a range of mental health resources and support.

 

Available services

• HealthDirect National Health Services Directory: A range of health services.
• Lifeline: for immediate assistance call 13 11 14. Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
• MindSpot: Online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression.
• Headspace: Tailored and holistic mental health support to 12–25 year olds.
• Beyond Blue: For immediate assistance call 1300 224 636. Beyond Blue works to address issues associated with mental health disorders.
• Australian Psychological Society Find a Psychologist: Search for psychologists who are in private practice; search by psychological issue and location.
• Kids helpline or call 1800 551 800. Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5–25.
• Open Arms and Open Arms COVID19 – calming and coping: Mental health and wellbeing support for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.
• My Aged Care: The Australian Government’s starting point to find and access government-funded aged care services.
• 1800 Respect or call 1800 737 732. National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service.
• Panda or call 1300 726 306. Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia.
• QLife or call 1800 184 527. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
• Reach Out.com: ReachOut is Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents.
• This Way Up: Online learning programs, education and research in anxiety, depressive disorders and physical health.
• Grief and Trauma Network: The Trauma and Grief Network (TGN) connects families, carers and members of the community to resources focussed on the care of children and adolescents affected by the impact of trauma, loss and grief.
• Disaster Resilience Education: Supporting teachers with student wellbeing, learning and recovery.