Head to Health

Keeping in line with the headspace model, self-referral pathways will continue to be honoured. 

It is important however, that this is assessed carefully on a case-by-case basis by the headspace centres. Where barriers such as timeliness of interventions for young people and their families may be present, another option is for the headspace centre to consider re-directing the self-referral (with consent) to Head to Health. This may faciliate an alternative referral pathway that can be explored, supporting a seamless and timely transition to a service for the young person and their families.

Yes. 

It is important however, that this is assessed carefully on a case-by-case basis by the service provider. Where barriers such as timeliness of interventions, scope of practice and individual needs are present, it is encouraged that service providers consider re-directing the self-referral (with consent) to Head to Health where the facilitation of an alternative referral pathway can be explored supporting a seamless and timely transition to a service for the consumer.

GPs will continue to remain an important point for people to access stepped mental healthcare services. 

Information and support related to how GPs can refer will be provided by Country SA PHN and the Head to Health Phone Service. 

GPs, Psychiatrists and other health professionals can use the phone service to find care options for their patients.   

No. 

The phone service offers a ‘no wrong door’ approach to accessing mental healthcare and is available to all people of all ages and population groups.

Service providers can refer consumers to Head to Health through a warm handover via phone on 1800 595 212 or use the Head to Health Intake Referral Form. 

General Practitioners can refer consumers to Head to Health through a warm handover via phone on 1800 595 212 or through sending relevant collateral documentation including Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTP), MHTP reviews or general letters. General Practitioners are not required to use the Head to Health Intake Referral Form.

Yes.

The IAR and Head to Health assessment will be shared along with any collateral obtained e.g. MHTP or GP letter to the service provider upon receipt of referral.

Yes.

Service providers will be offered with a support package with information pertaining the Head to Health Phone Service including brochures and a referral instructions documentation kit for both health professionals and General Practitioners. 

Yes. Where consumers present with intersecting or complex needs, we will often work with the consumer to help them access multiple supports; for example, by referring them to an Alcohol and Other Drugs program and a mental health support simultaneously.  

Yes. We are happy to accept referrals for people with recent offending behaviours/interactions with the criminal justice system, including referrals from correctional services directly.

While we cannot produce medicolegal reports, we are able to help consumers understand how they can access services that can produce such reports.

No. Please continue to make use of crisis support services — including Mental Health Triage (Ph: 13 14 65), Lifeline (Ph: 13 11 14), and Beyond Blue (Ph: 1300 224 636) — in these instances, where relevant and appropriate.

Yes, we have a specialist eating disorder service navigator who can help people presenting with these challenges access supports.

Yes, we refer into headspace and other youth specific programs and mental health services.

We also refer young people where appropriate into a private, low- and no- cost service that provide specialist care to this population group.

Yes, we refer into tertiary services, not-for-profits, and private services.

Head to Health having several bulk bill psychology pathways available for use. 

Please do not send 291 referrals. Where the clients primary need is psychiatry, continue to refer directly to the psychiatrist.

Please check the postcode and PHN catchment and provide this information with the referral. If you are unsure or the individual has no fixed address, our intake team will be able to direct this to the correct intake team on receipt of the referral.

Yes. Click here for information on referring your clients to Head to Health.

Service providers can refer consumers to Head to Health through a warm handover via phone on 1800 595 212 or use the Head to Health Intake Referral Form. 

General Practitioners can refer consumers to Head to Health through a warm handover via phone on 1800 595 212 or through sending relevant collateral documentation including Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTP), MHTP reviews or general letters. General Practitioners are not required to use the Head to Health Intake Referral Form.

We always prioritise consumer preferences. Where this conflict with what has been assessed as the most appropriate step of care for their needs, we have open dialogue with the consumer about this and work collaboratively with them to make a decision. 

Where a General Practitioner states a preference for a referral destination, we will always consider this. If we do not refer to the provider you have suggested, we will explain why in our correspondence with you. For example, this is most often the case where we have found an equivalent service with a substantially shorter wait time, or where the consumer has disclosed things about their needs (e.g. AoD use, trauma, etc.)

Keeping in line with the Medicare Mental Health Centre, headspace centres and Urgent Mental Health Care Centre models, walk-in services will remain the same with nil requirement for a referral to be redirected to and from the Head to Health Phone Service. 

As with all of our referrals, we collaborate with consumers and their existing supports to ensure they access the supports that are most appropriate for them. It is important to note that we also refer consumers into psychosocial services (such as Country Wellness Connections and Community Connections), which can help consumers to access the NDIS if this is the most appropriate long-term support for their needs. 

We will accept referrals without a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). We will work with your client and their supports should a MHTP be clinically indicated or required to access a low/no- cost private support. 

We do not want to duplicate service. As such, we are unable to help navigate NDIS providers for consumers with funding for psychological supports. Please collaborate with their support co-ordinator or Local area coordinator to arrange these supports.

However, we can help participants whose funding does not include these supports, or who are awaiting funding for these supports.

We do not want to duplicate service. However, if your client needs a type of support not provided by the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) with which they are engaged (e.g. if their engagement with a CMHT provides predominantly medical care with minimal psychotherapeutic supports), then we are able to help them access supports to fill this gap.

We do not want to duplicate service. If your client has access to My Aged Care supports, please co-ordinate with their provider(s) to ensure they are provided with these supports. 

However, if your client is struggling to access My Aged Care support or has not yet received their funding, please do refer them to us; we will help them to access supports during this period of waiting.