Country SA PHN Newsletter March 2025
Improved referral pathways for country South Australian primary mental health care providers
It’s not feeling autumnal across South Australia. As the weather remains hot and dry, many in our rural and remote communities are feeling the brunt of the extended heat and specifically the lack of rain.
For anyone feeling they would like some support, you can reach out to the Head to Health Phone Service on 1800 595 212. It’s a free service offering advice and connection to a local mental health service to best support your needs. Head to Health is available from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm, excluding public holidays.
As a country South Australian GP, I am pleased the Head to Health Phone Service also offers support for primary mental health care providers by streamlining the referral process. It provides an additional entry point into and between all Country SA PHN primary mental health care services, including Medicare Mental Health Centres, headspace and other regional mental health programs, and it supports referrals to community and state-based services where appropriate. From 31 March 2025, all referrals to Country SA PHN primary adult mental health care services must be directed via Head to Health. For information on referring your clients to Head to Health please view the referral instructions.
Head to Health is a critical part of the mental health system to enable local improvements to how people can access primary mental health care. The phone service team provide initial clinical assessment, clinical decision support and service navigation to connect people to the right mental health service that is matched to their identified needs.
Further benefits include:
- Head to Health assisting with tailored advice and connecting individuals to not only the right primary care mental health support, but also complimentary community supports
- Time saved for primary mental health care providers, with the Head to Health intake team completing a comprehensive assessment and completing the Initial Assessment and Decision Referral Support Tool (IAR-DST) for all referrals.
- Access to the timeliest service based on demand with the Head to Health team’s local knowledge and informed prioritisation, providing options for people to find mental health services both in-person, online or via telehealth.
Country SA PHN’s region is now receiving more Head to Health phone calls and referrals than ever before. When primary mental health care providers are referring to Head to Health, they can be confident that clients will be contacted within one business day of receiving the referral, have an assessment to determine their required level of support, and receive follow-up to ensure contact from the mental health service.
In addition, the Head to Health Phone Service can provide Country SA PHN with a complete view of the level of care, demand, and referral pathways for primary mental health care services right across country South Australia. This is critical for accurate future service planning.
The Head to Health Phone Service was implemented nationally by the Australian Government following findings of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health in 2021-22 (as well as the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic) which found that many people who needed treatment and care were unable to access appropriate, well integrated services.
Neami National is the Head to Health Phone Service provider for the Country SA PHN region. Country SA PHN and Neami National are working collaboratively with South Australian GPs and other primary mental health service providers to optimise the benefits of having a central referral intake. Neami National also provides the Adelaide metropolitan Head to Health Phone Service - ensuring state-wide continuity of service delivery for all South Australians.
Country SA PHN is hosting an online information session for country South Australian primary mental health care providers on Tuesday 25 March from 9.30am to 10.30am. You can register attendance here.
You can find out more about the Head to Health Phone Service and how to make a referral here, or reach out to the Country SA PHN Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs team at: [email protected]
I commend the Country SA PHN Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs team for their support of the Head to Health Phone Service and working collectively with our regional service providers and general practice.
We thank you, our primary mental health service providers for your continued efforts to direct referrals via Head to Health. With your support, we are improving the experience and way our communities can access mental health care in country South Australia.
Published on: March 17, 2025
Last updated on: March 20, 2025
