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
Please note: HeadtoHelp became Head to Health from 16 December 2021. It’s the same great mental health service and support with free advice and help for all Victorians. If you or someone you know needs mental health services or support, call 1800 595 212 or visit headtohealthvic.org.au
This transition is part of the Australian Government’s national rollout of Head to Health.
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:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
beyondblue Support Service – 1300 224 365
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
MensLine – 1300 789 987
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
Qlife – 1800 184 527
Yarning SafeNStrong – 1800 959 563
To access professional mental health support in Gippsland, speak to your local doctor.
You can also call Head to Health 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 through Wellways, or to seek further information, contact:
03 5622 4140
Contact: Jacki Smith – Senior Practitioner – Mental Health in Aged Care.
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s as the traditional Custodians of Country across the Gippsland region.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s continuing connection to Land, Water and Community.
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People/s, Cultures, and 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/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
