The following websites and resources provide services, information and advice about mental health for health professionals and patients.
Transcultural Mental Health Centre
Transcultural Mental Health Line 1800 648 911
If you require information or support for a mental health concern, either for yourself or someone you care for, call the Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648 911.
The line operates for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW from Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm.
At other times please call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
Clinical Consultation and Assessment Service 9912 3851
Public mental health services can call our Clinical Consultation and Assessment Service on (02) 9912 3851, Monday to Friday between 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
The Mental Health Line is a 24 hour telephone support service established to by the NSW Government to ensure that people with a mental health problem, their families and carers can access care whenever and wherever they need it.
GP Psychiatry Support Line 1800 16 17 18
The GP Psychiatry Support Line is a free service to GPs to help you manage the care of mental health consumers.
The service is not about triaging or referring consumers to a psychiatrist, but rather keeping consumers whose conditions are able to be treated within primary care under the care of their GP. The Support line can help with diagnosis, investigation, medication and safety plan. To access the service, you will first need to register. You will need your AHPRA Registration Number, and practice details.
Available PHN Catchment Areas: South Eastern NSW, Northern Sydney, Central and Eastern Sydney, Hunter New England and Central Coast, Murrumbidgee and Western NSW.
For further information and to register click here.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS is a national disability insurance scheme that was introduced throughout Australia from June 2016. The NDIS provides support for people with a disability, their families and carers. The Scheme provides people with a disability with individualised support packages. The components of these packages depend on the needs of the individual. Packages might include support for education, employment, social participation, independence, living arrangements and health and wellbeing.
The NDIS and mental illness
The NDIS provides support for people with a mental illness who have high levels of 'psychosocial disability'. The NDIS uses the term 'psychosocial disability' to refer to a disability resulting from a mental health issue.
Further information about NDIS support for people with a mental illness is available from:
TMHC's NDIS page provides links to a range of translated information about the NDIS.
MBS (Better Access) Initiative
The Better Access Initiative aims to provide better access to mental health care professionals through Medicare. The initiative allows for all GPs who are managing a patient under a mental health care plan (MBS Items 2702 or 2710) to refer for counselling to clinical psychologists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists who are registered with Medicare.
Mental Health Professionals Network
The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) was set up to support interdisciplinary practice in mental health. The MHPN aims to connect GPs and other health professionals working in mental health by providing practitioners with the opportunity to participate in its two interdisciplinary programs the MHPN practitioner networks and the National online professional development program. Visit the MHPN website for more information.
Primary Health Networks
Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are a federal government health initiative, that aim to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients and improve coordination of care. The PHNs work directly with GPs and other primary health care providers. Mental Health is one of the PHNs' key focus areas. For more information and to locate your local PHN visit the Australian Government Department of Health PHN website.
Black Dog Institute - Psychological Toolkit
The Psychological Toolkit is a collection of practical resources available for health professionals to assist in the management of mental illnesses in their clinical work.
For a more extensive list of mental health organisations for patients visit TMHC's Useful Links page.
