ATAPS- Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC)

BOiMHC provides six free sessions of psychological services to people on low income from registered mental health professionals. This program is aimed at people on Mental Health Care Plans who cannot access Medicare’s Better Access because they cannot afford the gap fee.

ATAPS Suicide Prevention Program

The ATAPS Suicide Prevention Service will be launched in early January 2012. The service will provide treatment and support to individuals at low to moderate risk of suicide or self harm at a critical point in their lives. Referrals to the SPP can be made between 9 – 3pm on weekdays.

Extension of the Bushfire Psychological Counselling Voucher Program

The Bushfire Psychological Counselling Voucher Program was developed through a $3.5 million gift from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. The program assists people directly affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires to access psychological counselling support. The program provides up to twelve counselling sessions to each individual (including dependant children over five years of age) who have been directly affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires. To date over 2,200 people have applied for vouchers and over 14,000 voucher have been issued.

Changes to Mental Health under the 2011/12 Federal Budget

The 2011/12 Federal Budget is bringing some significant changes to the rebate for the development and review of a Mental Health Treatment Plan and changes to the Better Access program. More information can be found on the Department of Health and Ageing’s fact sheets.

MEDIA RELEASE - Local Doctors Need Headspace

Last night in Knox local GPs and Mental Health Nurses joined almost 150 concerned community residents to discuss youth mental health in the region, in a forum convened by local Federal Member, Alan Tudge.

MEDIA RELEASE - Youth Mental Health Must Be An Election Priority

Currently 20% of the Australian adult population (16-85yrs) is suffering from a mental illness. If you live in the Shire of Yarra Ranges however, you are 10% more likely to suffer from a mental or behavioural disorder than if you live in other parts of Australia, giving you a 1 in 4 chance of living with a mental illness.

High capacity to accept new referrals - Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care & Rural Primary Health

We have a lot of capacity to accept new referrals in the next few months to both Better Outcomes in Better Health Care, and for RA 2 practices, to the Rural Primary Health Service (new MAHS program).

ERGPA Mental Health Program

The Mental health Program has appointed a new manager – Mr.  Craig Maloney who is a mental health Nurse with 25+ years experience in Mental health Nursing, he holds a masters degree in mental health, Acceptance commitment therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, his specialties include, Addiction medicine, Child & Adolescent Mental health and managing Borderline personality disorders, Suicide Intervention and management.

Free Counselling Available

Do you have low income patients who are in need of free counseling?