Mental health and wellbeing
Pictured: The opening of the new headspace Werribee site at Victoria University. (Image: Orygen)
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Our approach to commissioning mental health services is designed to meet the needs of each person. From large national programs such as headspace, to local initiatives for flood-stricken communities, we work with clinicians, peer and bicultural workers, researchers and community groups to deliver support that makes sense.
attended sessions with our CAREinMIND™ mental health providers in 2023–24
increase in referrals in 2023-24 thanks to our single referral form and communications
Head to Health
Head to Health provides advice and a welcoming place for anyone who needs mental health and wellbeing support. It facilitates care navigation and access to multidisciplinary teams at hubs, complementing GP care.
NWMPHN operates statewide telephony for the service, and oversees its intake service.
Resilience and flood recovery in Maribyrnong
The Our Community Our Voice: Resilience and Flood Recovery in Maribyrnong project was designed by GenWest in collaboration with residents. It provided a community-based mental health wellbeing and recovery initiative in response to the devastating 2022 Maribyrnong River flood.
The project empowered local communities through mental health awareness activities, increasing their capability to respond appropriately and safely.
Pictured: The
Our Community, Our Voice: Lessons from the 2022 Maribyrnong Flood report was published in English and Vietnamese.
Right Care Right Place: eating disorder care in my community
The Right Care Right Place project increases access to evidence-based treatment for people experiencing, or at risk of developing, an eating disorder.
NWMPHN supports health care providers to build confidence and skills to identify and treat eating disorders, and helps GPs know when and how to refer, ultimately reducing the strain on specialist and tertiary services.
The organisation also employs Victoria’s first dedicated eating disorders service navigator.
Pictured: Catherine Roberts is NWMPHN's Eating Disorders Service Navigator. (Image: Sevil Kaya)
Mental Health – Health Needs Assessment
In June 2023 NWMPHN published a comprehensive analysis of the mental health and care needs of the community in Melbourne’s centre, north and west. It synthesised data from sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics census, mental health-related hospital admissions and emergency department presentations, GP diagnoses, demand for appointments and community health service use and demand.
It also contained insights from conversations with more than 170 people, including community members with lived experience, carers and representatives from 68 health care organisations.
Enrich Youth Program
Delivered by Orygen and Sunbury Cobaw Community Health, the Enrich Youth Program supports young people and their families to navigate the mental health system.
It offers in-home appointments to facilitate early assessments, particularly for those who find it challenging to engage with therapy or support at traditional clinics.
Referral and access
NWMPHN commissions many mental health services across its region, including Head to Health, CAREinMIND and headspace. However, patients and referrers don’t care who funds a service.
That’s where our referral and access team comes in. Expert clinicians review referrals and allocate them to the most clinically appropriate service – regardless of who funds or provides it.
Commonwealth psychosocial support
NWMPHN's psychosocial support program covers five local government areas, supporting consumers who have severe and persistent mental illness, and are at risk of developing physical health conditions.
The program assists clients to manage daily tasks, undertake work or study, find housing, get involved in activities, and make connections with family and friends.
headspace
Delivered by the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace provides early intervention mental health services to people aged 12 to 25.
Check-In for young people at risk of homelessness
The Check-In program is based at Melbourne City Mission’s Frontyard Youth Services. Run in partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital, it provides holistic care and support to people aged 12 to 25 with complex mental and social health needs and are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Psychological therapies and wellbeing support for older adults in the community
Merri Health's Stepped Care for Older Adults program provides mental health and wellbeing supports for people 65 and over with mild to moderate mental illness, or who are at risk of developing it. It also caters to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 and over.
Free wellbeing support
The CAREinMIND Wellbeing Support Service provides free phone and online counselling for people in our catchment.
Business as (UN)usual
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We acknowledge the people of the Kulin nations as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our work in the community takes place. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and carers.
All photos by Leigh Henningham unless otherwise noted.
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