Mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and other drugs

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What we do

The mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug treatment needs of people across the Brisbane South PHN region are diverse. Having a flexible, responsive and integrated health care system is essential to ensure local services are available across a continuum of stepped-care and support community health and wellbeing.

How we work

We work in partnership with treatment providers in our community to provide local programs for General Practitioners (GPs) and health professionals to refer patients. Together, our providers work with health professionals to identify treatment services that are best suited to an individual’s needs.

Accessing mental health services

Head to Health Phone Service is a Commonwealth-funded mental health initiative that offers access to mental health information, services and supports through multidisciplinary care teams and integration with existing services across the region.

Brisbane South PHN has commissioned Neami National to deliver the Head to Health Phone Service locally. The Head to Health Phone Service is the preferred referral pathway for patients in the Brisbane south region.

Refer patients using the Head to Health Phone Service

The Head to Health Phone Service accepts referrals from GPs, mental health services, community services, carers, families, and individuals. 

You can contact the Head to Health Phone Service on behalf of patients and clients to find the best mental health and wellbeing support for them. 

1. Download, complete and submit the referral form

2. Phone for advice

  • Head to Health Phone Service staff use the Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Decision Support Tool to establish the patient’s level of need, and can advise on available services that may assist the patient.
  • For more information, call 1800 595 212. 

3. Patient contact

  • The patient is referred to the appropriate mental health support service with a warm handover.
  • Head to Health Phone Service will continue to keep in touch with the patient until they are connected with the appropriate service provider.

Service Provider Compendium

Brisbane South PHN has locally commissioned mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug (MHSPAOD) treatment services which are designed to provide flexible support that recognises each person’s unique needs.

Our partners can assist you to identify which service will best suit yours and your patient’s needs. There is no wrong point of entry and any of the listed organisations can help to get you started.

Read our Service Provider Compendium

Patient portals

Where a patient does not yet wish to undertake formal treatment, GPs can refer them to these portals which inform, educate and empower them to connect with appropriate health care services.

Mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and other drug services in the region

Brisbane South PHN commissions evidence-based brief psychological interventions designed to assist people experiencing, or caring for someone who is experiencing, low-intensity stress/distress, anxiety or other generalised mental health concerns. Sessions may include peer support, coaching, psycho education, problem solving and practical skills building. Services can be accessed in individual and group settings.

Brisbane South PHN commissions evidence-based mental health programs designed to assist people experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns or people who have attempted or are at risk of suicide or self-harm.

Brisbane South PHN commissions evidence-based mental health programs that are designed to assist people experiencing severe and/or enduring mental health concerns and associated complexities. Services can be accessed via the following programs:

  • Mental Health Clinical Care Coordination (MHCCC)
  • National Psychosocial Support
  • headspace Early Psychosis

Mental Health Clinical Care Coordination (MHCCC)

MHCCC provide both clinical and non-clinical psychosocial supports designed to improve social skills and build psychological and functional capacity, assisting individuals and their families to manage their mental illness and promoting the increase of social and economic participation. Clinical care coordination may include intake, triage and assessment to ensure appropriate treatment, coordinating services, care planning and support. MHCCC programs offer both group and individual therapies.

National Psychosocial Support (NPS)

NPS offers evidence-based supports underpinned by the principles of recovery. NPS programs have been designed to build psychosocial functioning and capacity by assisting individuals and their families to manage mental health and wellbeing, increase social and economic participation, and complement existing health services and supports (e.g. physical health and mental health service supports). Psychosocial support can be accessed in both individual or group settings.

headspace Early Psychosis

headspace Early Psychosis program is for people aged 12 – 25 experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP) or exhibiting systems warranting a diagnosis or psychosis; and/or have been assessed as ultra-high risk (UHR), therefore not fully meeting the diagnostic threshold for a psychotic disorder.

Brisbane South PHN commissions culturally appropriate mental health, alcohol and drug treatment services and suicide prevention programs to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the Brisbane South PHN region.

headspace assists young people with mental health and wellbeing with a focus on early intervention. The child and youth primary mental health service, in addition to the core headspace model, encompasses low intensity psychological therapies (mild to moderate) and severe and complex programs to enable a comprehensive stepped care approach to young people across the continuum of need.

Some services (including counselling and GP services) are also available with a current Medicare card and valid mental health treatment plan.

Centres have a range of programs & activities; please contact your closest centre for details.

headspace Early Psychosis Program

The headspace Early Psychosis Program specialises in working with young people who may be experiencing a first episode of psychosis who are exhibiting symptoms that may warrant a diagnosis of psychosis, and/or have been assessed as ultra-high risk, therefore not fully meeting the diagnostic threshold for a psychotic disorder.

Find out more about the Program

Information for GPs

Service Brochure
Referral Checklist
Referral Form

Brisbane South PHN commissioned suicide prevention services are recovery focussed and underpinned by principles harm minimisation, psychoeducation and skill building through brief intervention, counselling, peer support and case management in individual and group settings.

Brisbane South PHN commissioned AOD treatment modalities are underpinned by harm minimisation principles, psychoeducation and skill building through brief intervention, counselling and case management in both individual and group settings.

It’s recommended that referrals are initiated via self-referral however inquiries can be made by GPs and health professionals directly to the listed AOD treatment providers, or by contacting ADIS (Alcohol and Drug Information Service) on 1800 177 833 or through the website (adis.health.qld.gov.au) to advise and connect with local services.

Quality improvement

Mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and other drug quality improvement(QI) toolkits are available in the following topics:

The toolkits are designed…

  • to support medical practices to make easy, measurable and sustainable improvements
  • to provide best practice care for their patients 
  • to assist practice’s to complete Quality Improvement (QI) activities using the Model for Improvement
  • to assist practices to meet the Practice Incentive Program Quality Improvement Incentive (PIP QI).

For more information on how Brisbane South PHN supports quality improvement in general practice, click the button below.

View QI resources

End-of-year service provision 2022-2023

The upcoming holiday period can see an increase in people seeking mental health support services at a time when services may have reduced opening hours.

We have collected a list of regional service providers, their service availability during the holiday period and any contingencies in place to access alternative support, as a resource for health workers.

The services listed in this resource are Brisbane South PHN’s mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug service providers and relevant stakeholders who participate in the Sub Regional Action Groups. This is not a full representation of all service providers. Organisations are listed in alphabetical order A to Z.

In providing these details to us, each organisation has consented to the distribution and promotion of this information to the Sub-Regional Action Group network, Brisbane South PHN, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service (MSAMHS), General Practice and the wider community.

View the resource

Mental health support lines

If you or someone you know is in need of urgent support, the following services may be able to assist.

Triple Zero: 000
Head to Health: 1800 595 212
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS): 1800 177 833
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
eHeadspace: 1800 650 890
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
1300 MH CALL: 1300 64 22 55
QLife: 1800 184 527
13YARN: 13 92 76
Multicultural Connect Line: 1300 079 202

More information

Practice information
Our programs