Primary Mental Health Program

The Primary Mental Health Program is delivered to address the following health needs:

• High prevalence of mental ill-health
• Increasing demand for services, with the referral spoke function supporting connection to a broader range of services
• Access and equity, through delivery in hub and spoke model (reach) and a range of service options to support varying needs of the community
• Integrated care – supporting coordination gaps and co-morbidities
• Support for people experiencing suicidal distress
• Support spanning across the social determinants of health

The Primary Mental Health Program to contribute to the delivery of a multidisciplinary, person‑centred, no‑wrong‑door mental health system across the North Coast region. The program operates through a Medicare Mental Health Hub and Spoke model, integrated with the centralised Medicare Mental Health Phone Service as the single entry point for mental health support.

The Primary Mental Health Care Program was commissioned by Healthy North Coast after the 2022-2023 Mental Health, SUicide Prevention and Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Reform Project, using a comprehensive co-design approach.

The reform project engaged people with lived and living experience, carers, clinicians, service providers and Aboriginal Community COntrolled Health Organsiations, community representatives and other stakeholders to identify service gaps, priorities and opportunities for improvement.

The Primary Mental Health Program delivers responsive, person centred, and recovery-oriented services to address local needs.

The program aims to improve access to primary mental health care, particularly for people who experience barriers to accessing services or who are at risk of poor mental health outcomes.

The program is delivered in alignment with the stepped care model, matching individuals to the most appropriate level of care based on their needs, preferences, severity of symptoms, level of risk and capacity to engage in treatment. The Primary Mental Health Program aims to ensure people receive the right care, at the right time, with the intensity treatment aligned with individual needs. Level of care options include:

• Psychological therapies
• Support for people living with severe and complex mental health challenges
• Youth Enhanced Services
• Low-intensity mental health services
• Psychosocial support
• Suicide prevention initiatives
• Care coordination and specialist programs for priority groups.

Key objectives of the program include:

• Improving access to mental health services in community settings
• Supporting early intervention and prevention of mental illness
• Providing treatment and recovery support for people with mild to severe mental health conditions
• Enhancing service integration coordination across primary care, specialist mental health services and community supports

Improving outcomes for priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, children and young people, people living in rural and remote areas and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.

Reducing pressure on emergency departments.