Mental Health Supports or Information:
Phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24 hour assessment, referral, advice, and hospital and community health centre contact details.
CRISIS NUMBER – Mental Health Triage Service – 24 hrs, 7 days a week, Phone 1300642255
https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health/help-lines/services/index.html
Talk to your doctor (GP) about your concerns and ask for an assessment or referral. Some doctors have additional training and expertise in mental health.
Specialist Supports – Hospital-based supports in Brisbane:
Acute Care Team – provides assessment and acute treatment services.
Homeless Health Outreach Team (HHOT) provides health responses – mental health, general health, alcohol and drug issues for homeless people living 5km within GPO. In Brisbane only.
Community Mental Health Teams – North & south Brisbane.
Resource team – specialist supports
Residential & Rehabilitation supports
Websites – Brisbane North & south.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/rbwh/services/mh-services.asp
http://metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/mental-health/services
Check hospitals in your area for available mental health services.
Specialist Supports – Community
General Practitioners or Local Doctors
Medicare rebates – Better Access Program is available for a range of mental health treatments, including up to 10 individual consultations and up to 10 group therapy sessions with a mental health professional. You’ll need a referral from a general practitioner, psychiatrist or pediatrician to be eligible.
Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative. Go through GPs. Available at: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-ba-fact-pat
Primary Health Networks (PHN) are the best point of contact for finding out what programs exist in your local area for mental health programs for particular vulnerable groups or for people who may not be able to pay a gap fee for psychology services. In QLD there are 6 PHNs – Brisbane north, Brisbane South, Gold Coast, Central QLD Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast, Northern QLD and Western QLD. See link below to find out which office is your best contact point. It is important to note that the Phams and PIR programs no longer exist and have these services have transitioned to other mental health programs run by individual PHNs.
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/PHN-Locator
Queensland Community Care Services
Phone 1800 600 300 to find out what services operate in you area, or email QCSSaccesspoint@ozcare.org.au. You don’t need a referral. You can also complete an online client registration.
The Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS) provides support to people who, with a small amount of assistance, can maintain or regain their independence, continue living safely in their homes, and actively participate in their communities.
You may be eligible for the QCSS if you are under 65 years old (or under 50 years old for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) with:
- a disability (and are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme)
- chronic illness, mental health or other condition, or
- circumstances that impact your ability to live independently in the community.
The QCSS can provide you with support to access your community, including shopping, recreational activities, or visits to the doctor or another health professional.
It can also provide support for in your home to help you with things like:
- domestic activities like meal preparation, cleaning and household chores
- personal care, such as showering and dressing
- support to access your community, including shopping or going to the bank or the doctor
- basic home maintenance like mowing, cleaning windows or helping you with your garden.
Ph: (07) 3068 1111
The Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) at Children’s Health Queensland specialises in helping infants, children and young people up to the age of 18 years who have complex mental health needs. CYMHS works collaboratively and in a recovery-oriented way with infants, children and young people and their families. This means we recognise and help build on individual and family strengths for better health and wellbeing. By working together, we support children, young people and families to get back on track to reach their optimal mental health. CYMHS has a number of teams across the Greater Brisbane and Pine Rivers regions. We serve our local communities, and we outreach across Queensland through some of our specialist programs. We provide community and hospital based services, outreach and telepsychiatry programs, early intervention, forensic and other specialty services.
A Place to Belong: is a Brisbane-based program working to build inclusive connected communities that welcome, respect and include others especially those who experience mental health challenges. It provides support through a focus on recovery, developing skill and making networks. Contact details are:
- Telephone: (07) 3217 2522
- E-mail: info@aplacetobelong.org.au
You can click here to find out more.
Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service – (MIDAS), formerly known as QCIDD, is a state-wide service which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of adults with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities through clinical practice, education and research. Our services are designed to assist current health practitioners and service providers by providing initial assessments and short-term interventions. The patient, their family or carers can assist this referral by completing and returning the Pre-Appointment Questionnaire. Patients must be aged 16 and over, with a diagnosis of intellectual disability / or developmental disability. See website for further information.
Ph: 07 3163 2200
Resources available include:
The Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) is licensed and implemented by most state governments. This research work led to the establishment of Medicare items to support GPs to perform annual health checks and changed health policy, in Australia and overseas. Available at:
Advocacy Skills Kit, or ASK Diary, which has been shown to improve health advocacy. Go to the link below for more information about this resource or contact MIDAS to see if they have any available.
https://qcidd.centre.uq.edu.au/resources/ask-health-diary-and-app
Telephone Counselling Services
Lifeline http://www.lifeline.org.au/; Phone Counselling services for anyone at anytime;
Phone 13 11 14
Kids Helpline – http://www.kidshelp.com.au/; Telephone and online counselling for young people aged 12-25; Phone 1800 551 800
Suicide Call Back Service (SCBS) T: 1300 659 467
The SCBS is a 24-hour, nationwide service that provides telephone counselling to people 18 years and over who are feeling suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, or bereaved by suicide.
SANE helpline – http://www.sane.org/helpline; Information, advice and referral for mental illness.
Phone 1800 187 263
Beyondblue – Information and referral for depression and anxiety; Phone 1300 224 636
Counselling for Drug and Alcohol use Ph: 1800 888 236 or www.counsellingonline.org.au
Parentline – Support, counselling and education for parents.
Phone 1300 301 300
Panda – supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in first year of parenthood. Phone 1300726306 (9am – 7.30pm).
Diverse Voices – Peer counselling service for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families and friends; Phone 1800 184 527 (7pm to 10pm)
Harmony Place – Mental health services for culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities; Phone (07) 3848 1600
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service – Counselling and group programs for Australian veterans, peacekeepers and their families; Phone 1800 011 046
Mental Health Carers Australia (formerly ARAFMI) – A national advocacy group solely concerned with the well-being and promotion of the needs of families and carers supporting someone with mental ill health. Their mission is to be the national voice for families and carers to enable the best possible life. For more information, Phone 1300 554 660
Men’s Line – Telephone and online support, information and referral service to help men with relationship and other problems; Phone 1300 789 978
Mental Health Association of Queensland – Access to support, information and referral to mental health-related services in your area, 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday. Phone 1300 729 686
MiNetworks – Connects you to an experienced mental health worker to find information and support.
Phone 1800 985 944.
Head To Health – managed by Australian Dept of Health. It provides information about different mental health organisations, apps, online programs and phone or email chats.
Online Treatment Options
OnTrack (https://www.ontrack.org.au/web/ontrack ) is a free online treatment program that helps you self manage your recovery from depression. It focuses on practical things you can do to make things better and helps you to set goals.
MoodGYM ( https://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome ) is an innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent depression. It consists of 5 modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment.
The Mental Health Association of Queensland – offers free online support services with a registered psychologist or social worker, accessed via online video chat.
Support Groups
Self Help Queensland -http://www.selfhelpqld.org.au/; they can help you find a support group in your area; Phone (07) 3344 6919 or email info@selfhelpqld.org.au.
The Mental Health Association of Queensland has a list of support groups operating in the Brisbane and Gold Coast region.
Other Mental Health Organisations:
Black Dog Institute combines expertise in clinical management with research to develop new, and more effective, strategies for people living with mood disorders.
Headspace provides mental and health wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Headspace – Youth Mental Health – http://headspace.org.au/
Mental Health Australia is the peak non-government body established to represent the mental health sector and advise on mental health in Australia.
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia has member organisations across the whole of Australia, with nearly 80 ‘front doors’ where people affected by mental illness and their loved ones are guaranteed support, information and links to on-going assistance.
Online Training Options & Resources include:
WWILD – wwildtraining.org.au – Introduction to Intellectual Disability; Responding to Disclosure of Sexual Violence; Supporting Recovery from Trauma
Through my Eyes—Intellectual Disability Healthcare around the World— https://www.edx.org/course/through-eyes-intellectual-disability-uqx-able101x
ABLE201x Well and Able—Improving the Physical Health of People with Intellectual Disability
— https://www.edx.org/course/well-able-improving-physical-health-uqx-able201x
ABLE301x Able-Minded—Mental Health and People with Intellectual Disability—
https://www.edx.org/course/able-minded-mental-health-people-uqx-able301x
QCIDD’s YouTube channel— https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChCUpCHdvnHqAf8SBOuV_tA
Intellectual Disability Mental Health First Aid Manual – Mental Health First Aid Australia
By Kitchener BA, Jorm AF, Kelly CM, Pappas, R, Frize, M. 2nd ed. Melbourne: Orygen Youth Health Research Centre; 2010 [online] Accessed 28/06/2011 This is a supplement to the 2nd Edition Standard Mental Health First Aid Manual. It is a resource for people supporting adults with intellectual disability who are experiencing an emerging mental health problem or mental health crisis.To access a copy of the manual contact the publishers below.
Contact details –
Phone: +61 3 9079 0200
Email: mhfa@mhfa.com.au
Website: https://mhfa.com.au/
Emerging Minds: Working and walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people: A practical guide for non-Indigenous workers
Atkinson, Judy (2020) Working and walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people: A practical guide for non-Indigenous workers, Australia, May 2020.
This resource is designed to provide information, concepts, practical skills and suggestions to guide non-Indigenous professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families/communities, in particular those who have experienced trauma.
Mental Health Resources – Assessment Tools:
These are useful to have completed and take with you when you seek clinical/medical support for the person with intellectual disability. They provide some evidence for the need for a psychiatric assessment and treatment.
Depression in Adults with an Intellectual Disability Checklist for Carers or Supporters
http://www.cddh.monashhealth.org/
This is a checklist completed by carers, in particular paid support staff, on behalf of adults who are unable to report their own feelings or symptoms because of severe communication impairment. It provides carers with information that is needed by a medical practitioner to decide if an adult with an intellectual disability may be depressed or suffering from a related mental health problem or need referral to a mental health specialist or practitioner. Conditions of use and a request form for the checklist can be found at Centre for Developmental Disabilities Health Victoria.
The MOSS PAS system, formerly known as the PASS ADD system – is a set of assessment tools for undertaking mental health assessments with people with learning disabilities. It is designed to provide a smooth, reliable flow of information to provide a smooth, reliable flow of information on psychiatric symptoms from all those involved in an individual’s care, including family members, support staff and care staff.
Explanation of the Moss Pas system
They are also available in digital form at http://www.moss-pas.com>.
Reiss Screen – screens for mental health problems (dual diagnosis) in persons with intellectual disability by interviewing carers, teachers, work, supervisors, or parents.
http://www.reiss-screen.com/shortform.htm