Mental Health
Better Access to Mental Health
The Better Access program aims to increase community access to mental health professionals and team-based mental health care, with GPs encouraged to work closely and collaboratively with psychiatrist, clinical psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.
As part of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) mental health package, the Better Access to psychiatrists, psychologists and GPs through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative introduces new Medicare items to provide better and more affordable mental health care.
Medicare rebates are available for GPs to provide early intervention, assessment, treatment and management of patients with mental disorders as part of a GP Mental Health Care Plan. A new GP Mental Health Care Consultation item is also available for GPs to provide continuing management of patients with mental disorders.
| GP items: |
- GP Mental Health Care Plan
(item 2710):
- GP Mental Health Review
(item 2712):
- GP Mental Health Consultation
(item 2713):
|
- $156.85 rebate
(schedule fee $156.85)
- $78.45 rebate
(schedule fee $104.55) **
- $69 rebate
(schedule fee $69, 20+ min consultation)
|
n.b. items do not require practice accreditation.
** cannot be claimed within 4 weeks of a 2710 or within 3 months of a 2712 unless there has been a significant change in the patient’s condition.
Patients with a GP MHCP can be referred to a clinical psychologist or other allied mental health professionals, and are eligible to receive a rebate from Medicare for up to 12 sessions in a calendar year.
Training is not mandatory to bill the item numbers or to refer for psychological services. However voluntary training in mental health is recommended.
Mental Health Skills training:
Better Outcomes in Mental Health initiative:
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Better Access Orientation Manual |
Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)
This program provides an alternative referral pathway for GPs to refer financially disadvantaged consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focused psychological strategies.
ESDGP ATAPS Section
Veterans Counselling Services
"Beyond the Call is a book of stories from veterans and their families about their personal mental health journey.
It will assist health professionals and the veteran community better understand the impact of mental health."
the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Alan Griffin
For a copy of Beyond the Call please email at-ease@dva.gov.au or call 1800 026 185.
The website http://at-ease.dva.gov.au also gives veterans and family members a one-stop-shop for mental health advice and services.
Perinatal Depression
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Antenatal and Postnatal Depression - A Guide to Management for health Professionals |
beyondblue: the national depression initiative
www.beyondblue.org.au
Information on depression, anxiety and related substance-use disorders, available treatments and where to get help.
beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
Information on depression, anxiety and related substance-use disorders, available treatments and referral only (local call).
www.youthbeyondblue.com
beyondblue’s website for young people – information on depression and how to help a friend.
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Provides counselling, information and referral to people at risk of suicide and those concerned about someone else’s behaviour
Mensline Australia
1300 789 978 or www.menslineaus.org.au
24 hour support for men with family and relationship problems especially around family breakdown or separation – this service provides anonymous telephone support, information and referral (local call).
Moodgym
www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
Online psychological therapy.
Climate.tv – interactive e-health
www.climate.tv
Developed by medical experts, this is a self-management system for people with depression and anxiety.
Black Dog Institute
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Information on depression (including during and after pregnancy) and bipolar disorder – specifically causes, treatments, symptoms, getting help and current research findings.
Post and Antenatal Depression Association Inc
(PaNDa)
www.panda.org.au
Provides information for women and their families affected by antenatal and postnatal mood disorders about the causes and symptoms of these disorders, as well as types of treatments and support services available.
Good Beginnings
www.goodbeginnings.net.au
Information on parenting children and details of support services for new parents.
Tresillian
www.tresillian.net
Information on parenting children and details of support services for new parents.
Karitane
www.karitane.com.au
Information on parenting children, including a section on managing postnatal depression, and details of support services for new parents.
Urgent Mental Health advice for GPs:
Finding a Mental Health Provider:
beyondblue Directory of Medical and Allied Health Practitioners in Mental Health
http://www.beyondblue.org.au
AGPN Finding a Mental Health Allied Health Professional
http://www.primarymentalhealth.com.au
Finding a Psychiatrist:
http://www.racgp.org.au/mentalhealth/liaison
Other Useful links:
For Consumers/Carers:
Black Dog Institute http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
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Black Dog Institute Consumer Brochure |
Crefad Anxiety Clinic http://www.crufad.com/
CRUFAD is a shared facility between St Vincent's Hospital and the University of New South Wales. The Anxiety Disorders Clinic offers programs for people with a range of anxiety and emotional disorders.
Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies http://www.nada.org.au/
NADA is the peak organisation for the non-government drug and alcohol sector in NSW.
SANE Australia – 9am - 5pm free Helpline Ph: 1800 187 263 http://www.sane.org/
SANE Australia is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness – through campaigning, education and research.
WAYS Youth Services – Ph: (02) 9362 2500 http://www.ways.org.au/
WAYS Youth Services is a community based non-government organization whose mission is to work with young people aged 9-24 years across Eastern Sydney to create pathways to the future. This is achieved through a “one-stop shop” integrated model of service delivery providing services, helpful staff, programmes, activities and practical assistance.
Low Cost Psychological Treatment:
The University of New South Wales Psychology Clinic offers low cost psychological treatment to adults, children and families. Treatment offered for anxiety, depression and other general mental health problems. Phone 02 9385 3042
Family Relationships counseling http://www.familyrelationships.org
Lifeline – 24hr telephone counseling services Ph: 13 11 14 http://www.lifeline.org.au
Kid’s Helpline – 24hr counseling for children/adolescents in Australia Ph: 1800 55 1800
http://www.kidshelp.com.au
Allied Health Services http://www.abc.net.au/health/consumerguides/stories/2005
Mental Health First Aid http://www.mhfa.com.au/
Eating Disorders Foundation – Helpline Ph: (02) 9412 4499 http://www.edf.org.au/
Auseinet – Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health
http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/
Mental Health Council of Australia http://www.mhca.org.au/
South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health (SESIAHS) Mental Health Services
http://www.sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au/Mental_Health_Services/
Subsidised counseling schemes, e.g. Workplace injuries/Motor vehicle accidents/Victims of crime
http://www.psychology.org.au/community/gov_payments/
Vietnam Veteran Counselling Service http://www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs/index.htm
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