“Stepped care is an evidenced-based, staged system comprising a hierarchy of interventions, from the least to the most intensive, matched to the individual’s needs. While there are multiple levels within a stepped care approach, they do not operate in silos or as one directional step, but rather offer a spectrum of service interventions.”¹ The aim is to start at the lowest intensive level that meets their needs, but people can move up and down the levels as required.
1 Australian Government Department of Health. PHN Primary Mental Health Care Flexible Funding Pool Implementation Guidance. 2015. P.2
You can read more about the Primary Mental Health and Stepped Care Program here or contact your local provider organisation for more information.
Mainly publicly available information and self-help resources.
(early symptoms, previous illness)
Mainly publicly available information and self-help resources.
23.1%
of population
Mix of self-help resources including digital mental health and low intensity face-to-face services.
Psychological services for those who require them.
9.0%
of population
Mainly face-to-face clinical services through primary care, backed up by psychiatrists where required.
Self-help resources, clinician-assisted digital mental health services and other low intensity services for a minority.
4.6%
of population
Clinical care using a combination of GP care, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, and allied health.
Inpatient services. Pharmacotherapy. Psychosocial support services.
Coordinated, multi-agency services for those with severe and complex ilness.
3.1%
of population
Head to Health provides advice and a welcoming place for everyone who needs mental health and wellbeing support. It is available to all Victorians of all ages, regardless of whether their mental health issues are pre-existing or emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Head to Health is the extra help GPs may need to manage the increased number of people seeking mental health support.
Head to Health provides care navigation, access to a multidisciplinary mental health team at the hubs and a team-care approach, to complement and supplement GP care.
Call 1800 595 212 to speak to the Head to Health intake team.
Please note, Head to Health is not a crisis service and patients requiring immediate care or crisis intervention should be managed through the local mental health triage or 000 if there are immediate safety concerns.
Gippsland Head to Health Hub locations
The Head to Health hubs are now open at more than 20 locations across Victoria. The two hubs in the Gippsland region are:
Baw Baw – 197-199 Sutton Street, Warragul
Wellington – 12 Inglis Street, Sale
If you or someone you know needs help contact:
beyondblue Support Service – 1300 224 365
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Yarning SafeNStrong – 1800 959 563
To access professional mental health support in Gippsland, speak to your local doctor.
You can also call Medicare Mental Health Phone Service on 1800 595 212.
Gippsland PHN commissions the following programs under the Primary Mental Health Stepped Care and Suicide Prevention Program:
Child and Youth services aim to support young people 12-25 years old to access mental health support through headspace centres across Gippsland.
With a focus on early intervention, headspace centres work with young people to provide support at a crucial time in their lives – to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future. Headspace centres provide a one-stop-shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health including sexual health, alcohol and other drugs and work and study support.
Gippsland PHN has recently completed a competitive tender process to commission a provider to deliver services to young persons aged 12-25 living with or at risk of sever and complex mental health issues.
The Youth Enhanced Program will complement the existing Child and Youth services commissioned within Gippsland via headspace centres. Gippsland PHN has commissioned Relationships Australia Victoria to deliver the Youth Enhanced Program. The program is currently in establishment with services expected to commence by 1 July 2024.
Gippsland PHN funds Jesuit Social Services to provide support to those bereaved by suicide, providing resources and services for individuals and professionals.
Go to this link for more information https://www.supportaftersuicide.org.au
Mental Health in Aged Care aims to support residents living in or transitioning to Residential Aged Care Facilities across Gippsland.
53 Residential Aged Care Facilities across Gippsland have the opportunity to engage with in-reach mild to moderate mental health support for their residents through the Gippsland PHN Mental Health in Aged Care program.
In early 2020, Wellways were successful in the tender to deliver tailored in reach mental health services to residents in aged care facilities. The in-reach services are being incrementally introduced to residential aged Care facilities across Gippsland.
It has been identified that residents both transitioning into residential aged care, and those currently living in residential aged care facilities have high rates of common mental illness with mild to moderate depression. The aim of the program is to provide an emotional wellbeing model for low intensity psychological in-reach services.
To access a referral to this service or for more information, visit Wellways, email MHIACGippsland@wellways.org or call (03) 5622 4140.
Medicare Mental Health is a free confidential service from the Australian Government, connecting you with the help and support you need to keep mentally healthy.
Medicare Mental Health can connect you with services in Gippsland that can help whether you want to feel happier, sleep better, feel calmer, or get support to live with a diagnosed condition.
Anyone in need of free, confidential mental health advice and support can call the Medicare Mental Health Phone Service on 1800 595 212 on any weekday between 8:30am and 5pm (excluding public holidays).
This service, staffed by mental health professionals in Gippsland, will link callers with the services best suited to their needs.
You do not need an appointment or referral to access this free service.
If you are looking to support yourself or someone else, but are not sure where to start, the Medicare Mental Health Check-In service can be a great place to start.
Medicare Mental Health Check-In helps with practical skills through the resources page filled with useful tips, tools and guidance especially for those feeling anxious, down, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start. Access the service here.
For urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
If you need immediate help or are at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 000 now.