Townsville General Practice Network

Mental Health

The TGPN Mental Health Program encompasses a number of diverse projects including:

This page has the following sections:

• Better Access to Mental Health Initiative
• GP Psych Support
• Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program
• Mental Health Resources
• Townsville Mental Health Service Directory  
• Useful Websites
• Assessment tools

Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care BOiMHC

Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care BOiMHC was introduced in July 2001 The program supports General Practitioners in improving the quality of care with Australians with a Mental illness. The Program has undergone many changes and now has two programs. These programs are funded through the Department of Health and Aging.

1. Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)

ATAPS enables GPs under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program to refer consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focused psychological strategies. For further information and access Click here Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)

Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative

Better access to psychiatrists, psychologists and general practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) program forms part of the Australian Government's National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 - 2011. Better Access provides increased community access to mental health professional and team based care and includes 3 new Medicare items and new referral pathways.

Recent Changes to the Better Access Initiative - DoHA Fact Sheet 2009 - 2010 budget MBS Item

DoHA has provided an Overview on GP Mental Health Care Medicare Items click here

DoHA has provided a Q&A site for GP Mental Care Items click here

MBS online website click here

GP Mental Health Treatment Items - (Items 2710 to 2713)

Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) has also developed some resources for GPs and General Practice Networks on Better Access.

• Overview - Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative
• Better Access Mental Health Care Orientation Manual
• Patient Pathways Flowchart
• GP Fees and Patient Rebates
• GP Mental Health Care Flowchart

Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program

Background

The Australian Government will provide funding of $191 million over five years, through the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program. This initiative will give a non-MBS incentive payment to eligible community based general practices, private psychiatrist services and other appropriate organisations (such as Divisions of General Practice or Aboriginal Medical Services) who engage credentialed clinical mental health nurses to coordinate treatment and care for people with serious mental illness and complex needs. Services under this initiative will be provided at little or no cost to the patient.

Related Document

• Mental Health Nurse Programs - Guidelines
• Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program
• AGPN Info Sheet
• General Practice Info Sheet from the RACGP
• Information from RANZCP
• Media Fact Sheet from AGDHA

Mental Health Resources

• Integrated Mental Health Referral form: [PDF format] or [DOC format]
• A Brief Guide to the Mental Health ACT 2000
• Mental Health Act 2000 - Self directed Learning Packages
• Mental Health Act 2000 - Request for assessment
• Mental Health Act 2000 - Recommendation for assessment
• Mental Health Act 2000 - Request for Police Assistance
• Mental Heal Assessment Procedures (MHAP) Kit - Information and order Form
• Facts about physical activity and Depression or Anxiety
• Mental Health Referral process.

Townsville Mental Health Service Directory

The Townsville City Council has developed a comprehensive directory of all the services available in Townsville. Please Click here to go to the Mental Health Service Directory

Useful Websites and Contacts

Antenatal and Postnatal Depression

Beyond Blue, www.beyondblue.org Contains a range of education and self-help materials for women, their families and health professionals.

The Australian Parenting website
http://raisingchildren.net.au/

The Black Dog Institute
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/depression/inpregnancypostnatal/babyblues.cfm

Pregnancy Counselling Link
www.pcl.org.au

Postnatal Support International
 http://www.postpartum.net/

Depression After Delivery
 www.depressionafterdelivery.com

Women’s Health
http://www.womenshealth.gov/

Contacts

Mental Illness Fellowship (MIF)
Currently there is no web site, but the Pre and Post-natal Distress Support Program Facilitator, counselor and contact person is Lyn Tyson

Her contact details are:
Tel: (07) 47253664 or (07) 47281911 or 1800 455 455
Email: ltyson@mifnq.org.au

• Child, Youth and Family Health Services, Kirwan Health Campus, provide a suite of Perinatal services:

• Intake Line:  Ph: 07 47999000 or email tsv_kirwan_child_health_intake_officer@health.qld.gov.au

• Family Visiting service

•  Newborn and Family Drop-in Service:

Monday:
Northern Beaches Community Centre       9am – 2pm

Tuesday:  
Early Years Centre, Fulham Rd                 9am – 2pm

Thursday:
Upper Ross Community Centre                 9am – 2pm

Friday:
Fairfield Waters Amcal Chemist               9am – 1pm  

Saturday mornings
Early Years Centre, Fulham Rd                 9am – 12pm

• IMPS Day Stay Centre – an educational day stay covering topics such as feeding, sleeping and development for parents and infants as well as postnatal problems and coping with parenthood.

• Early Intervention Service (EIS): provide information sessions, counselling and group therapy services (there is also a specific referral form located on the TGPN website under “Forms – Mental Health”).

Centacare: Circle of Life Program is a holistic counselling, education and support service which assists individuals, couples and families to work through their pregnancy-related concerns:  p> 47729000 or  centacare@tsv.centacare.org.au

Bipolar

www.beyondblue.org

Beyondblue provides information, resources and lists organisations related to bipolar disorder
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au Black Dog Institute is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility dedicated to improving understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. The website provides information on mood disorders and depression

Carers

www.carersaustralia.com.au National organisation for carers of people with disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged.

The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program is a new program that supports people whose lives are severely affected by a severe mental illness.

http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/mentalhealth/pubs/Pages/phams_brochure.aspx

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Information

http://www.agpncando.com/clinical_education/

Clinical training on Managing Mental Health and Substance Use in general Practice.

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of NSW have been funded by the Australian Government to produce up-to-date, evidence-based information on the management of co-morbid drug and alcohol and mental health problems and two sets of guidelines on managing these issues were released on 3 February 2010.

The updated Guidelines on the Management of Co-occurring Alcohol and Other Drug and Mental Health Conditions in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Settings are available on the NDARC website at http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/comorbidity.  These guidelines show clinicians how to help their clients reduce their drinking, as well as how to reduce alcohol-related harm to themselves and others.

The Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol Problems are available at www.alcohol.gov.au

Drug Info Clearinghouse. Contains information on drugs and drug prevention to workers and the community. Drug Info Clearinghouse is a service provided by the Australian Drug Foundation. As a clearinghouse, DrugInfo collects, interprets and disseminates information on drug prevention. The service functions as drug prevention network, providing easy access to information about alcohol and other drugs, and drug prevention. Professionals and members of the general community can use the service as their first port of call for information from local, national and international sources.

Mental Illness with Problematic Drugs and Alcohol Use (MIDAS) A central reference point for information about dual diagnosis services in Australia. Contains links, consult and expert, research, residential and outpatient treatment.

WellWays Duo is a support and information program run by the Mental Illness Fellowship NQ for family and carers of person living with mental illness and co-existing substance use. The program runs for six 3 hourly sessions and includes group discussions, practical information and guest speakers.

Contact Glenda Blackwell on  1800 455 455 or 47253664 or email on GBlackwell@mifnq.org.au

Cannabis information and helpline 1800 304 050

DirectLine: A 24 hour, 7 day a week alcohol and other drug counselling and referral service 1800 888 236

Youth substance abuse service  - a 24 hour alcohol and other drug online counselling and referral service 1800 014 446

• http://www.counsellingonline.org.au/en/
• A 24 hour, 7 day a week alcohol and other drug online counselling and referral service.
• http://www.knowcannabis.org.uk/
• This website can help clients assess their cannabis use, its impact on their life and how to reduce or stop cannabis use.
• http://www.inhalantsinfo.org.au/index.php
• The National Inhalants Information Service (NIIS) is the first central online service in Australia that provides information about inhalant misuse. The website contains fact sheets, resources, links, interventions and information on inhalant use.  
• http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/
• DrugInfo Clearinghouse is a program of the Australian Drug Foundation. The website provides easy access to a broad range of information and fact sheets about alcohol and other drugs and drug prevention.

http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/factsheets-and-info/fact-sheet-9-drug-use-and-your-mental-health/

Youth beyondblue’s fact sheet on drug use and how it affects mental health

• http://www.headspace.org.au/home/information/drugs-and-alcohol/

headspace provides mental and health wellbeing support, information and services to young people and their families across Australia.

http://www.whatareyoudoingtoyourself.com/

This youth oriented website provides information about alcohol, including safe drinking limits, drink spiking, mixing alcohol and other drugs and links to help lines.

http://www.kooridruginfo.adf.org.au/

The Australian Drug Foundation Alcohol and Drug Information with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples focus, including fact sheets and links.

 http://www.thewomens.org.au/alcoholdrugsduringpregnancy

The Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria website page on Alcohol and Drugs during pregnancy, including information, links and resources.

• http://www.therightmix.gov.au/www/html/692-home-page.asp

This Department of Veterans’ Affairs site promotes a healthier approach to alcohol use and also discusses the links between mental health and alcohol and drug use.

• http://www.alcoholguidelines.gov.au/

Department of Health and Aging site with current alcohol and treatment guidelines and information about alcohol-related health issues and Australian Government policy.

http://www.smmgp.org.uk/

Substance Misuse Management in General Practice (SMMGP) is a UK network to support GPs & other members of the primary health care team who work with substance misuse. The project team produces the SMMGP newsletter (Network) & organises the annual conference 'Managing Drug Users in General Practice'.

http://www.atforum.com/

Addiction Treatment Forum reports on substance abuse and addiction research, therapies, news and events of interest to both healthcare professionals and clients.  

OnTrack Alcohol aims to help people cut back on their drinking. The program was written by psychologists and uses methods that have been shown in research to be helpful.

https://www.ontrack.org.au/web/ontrack/programs/alcohol

OnTrack Alcohol and Depression aims to help people improve their mood and cut back on their drinking. The program was written by psychologists and uses methods that have been shown in research to be helpful.

 https://www.ontrack.org.au/web/ontrack/programs/alcoholanddepression

Depression

Beyondblue www.beyondblue.org provides information, resources and lists organisations related to depression

Depression Net. DepNet provides information about depression and is aimed towards people that suffer from depression, family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances, GPs, Psychiatrists, Psychologist and other health care providers, DepNet directs sufferers and their families to available community resources where they can seek help and offers a secure chat room, debate area and letterbox enabling browsers to talk of their experiences and to direct questions to trained medical professionals.

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au Black Dog Institute is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility dedicated to improving understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. The website provides information on mood disorders and depression.

In recognition of the need to promote awareness of the issues within the GLBTI communities and to promote available support services, beyondblue has developed the following resources: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=4.1167

General

• Mood Gym, www.moodgym.anu.edu.au, web-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to prevent depression.
• SANE, www.sane.org. SANE Australia is national charity helping people affected by mental illness through campaigns, education and research. This website contains downloadable facts sheets mental illness related topics and a bookshop. It also has an online Helpline available for people wanting to ask questions about mental illness and related topics.
• Treatment Guidelines for Mental Health, University of Adelaide. Created by Maureen Bell
• Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service, click here for Information or go to www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs,
  • Contact - 1800 011 046
  • Local Contact - 07 47239155

Government

Federal Government site, www.health.gov.au containing mental health info, crisis and support contacts, publications, resources and special access programs.

Better Health Channel, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Victorian Government Health Website. Contains information about health conditions and services, an "ask the expert" section, a smoking cost calculator and BMI calculator as well as an online library.

www.qcsr.uq.edu.au, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research. The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) is a Queensland Health funded research unit based at The Park Centre for Mental Health Treatment, Research and Education, in the West Moreton Health District, Brisbane. QCMHR conducted mental health research programs in:

• Genetics
• Developmental Neurobiology
• Epidemiology
• Policy and Economics

Mental Health & Wellbeing - Community Supports and Connections Resource:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mentalhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/community-support-and-connections-lp-1

Multicultural Mental Health

• Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) provides national leadership in mental health and suicide prevention for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
• http://www.mmha.org.au/

Queensland Health

New in April 2008. The website is one-stop shop for people trying to locate a mental health service, seeking information on mental illness or are looking at work in health.

• http://www.health.qld.gov.au/mentalhealth/
• Mental Health Service website

Suicide

• The Living Is For Everyone (LIFE) website www.livingisforeveryone.com.au. Is a World-class suicide and self-harm prevention resource managed by Crisis Support Services and funded by the Department of Health and Ageing. Dedicated to providing the best available evidence and resources to guide activities aimed at reducing the rate at which people take their lives in Australia. The LIFE website is designed for people across the community who are involved in suicide and self-harm prevention activities.

The Australian Early Intervention Network site provides access to information, links and contact details to services and sites, media information, fact sheets and suicide prevention information.

LIFE Fact Sheets

• The "living is for everyone" website contains LIFE Fact Sheets: a set of 24 plain-language, practical fact sheets for suicide and self-harm prevention. These fact sheets are suitable for GPs, Allied Health and patients. Click here to view Fact Sheets

Youth

• Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd (AICAFMHA), www.aicafmha.net.au
• Site contains projects, subscription to email news, events and conferences, and have your say section.

Child and Youth Health (South Australia), www.cyh.com

• Contains information pertaining to parenting, child health and youth health. There are sections for parents, children and adolescents with fact sheets and information on a range of topics.
• Children of Parents with Mental Illness: COPMI, www.copmi.net.au
• Website designed for people working with families affected by parental mental illness. Contains downloadable information for general practice. Also contains information about relevant books, facts sheets, videos, CDs and programs and services available in Australia for children of parents with mental illness and their families.

Embrace The Future, www.embracethefuture.org.au

• Information website for youth. Provides information about mental health issues and other youth issues.

Head Room, www.headroom.net.au

• This site provides mental health resources for 6 - 12 year olds and 12 to 18 year-olds, as well as for parents and professionals

Kids Helpline, www.kidshelp.com.au

• Online version of kids helpline. Young people can chat to a counsellor online and access information about bullying.

Like It Is, www.likeitis.org

• Provides young people with information about contraception and emergency contraception; STIs; teenage pregnancy: coping with puberty, peer pressure and bulling; sexuality; and periods. Contains a help and advice section.

Make a Noise, www.makenoise.ysp.org.au (Temporarily Unavailable)

• NSW youth portal containing information for young people on a range of topics including body image, eating disorders, sexual health, drugs and school issues, study and money.

Mind Matters, online.curriculum.edu.au/

• Mental health promotion program for secondary schools. The site contains the curriculum, professional development, project information, resources, newsletter.

Somazone, www.somazone.com.au

• Young people's website developed by young people for young people with the assistance of Australian Drug Foundation. This website aims to empower young people to address their physical, emotional and social health needs. Young people can ask questions from health professionals.

YBBlue, www.ybblue.com.au

• Ybblue - a youth program of beyondblue: the national depression initiative - is about getting the message out there that it's okay to talk about depression, and to encourage young people, their family and friends to get help when it's needed. The website contains information on depression and anxiety, checklists, 19 new youth specific factsheets, e-cards, stories from young people about their experiences and much more.

Assessment Tools

• DASS (42 statements)
• DASS (21 statements)
• DASS blank scoring template
• EPNDS
• K10
• SPHERE
• History and Mental Status Examination

If you cannot find what you are looking for, it may be available on our forms page

Page last modified: 30 Jun 2010

 
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