Mark Hatigan
Head to Health Tender Now Open
As part of the 2019-2020 Budget, the Australian Government announced it would invest $114.5 million over five years to undertake a trial of eight Adult Mental Health Centres, with one to be established in each state and territory. The sites planning and development have been further informed by the Inquiry into Mental Health and all governments response to COVID-19.
The Head to Health centre and satellite network consists of community-based adult mental health services delivered by multidisciplinary teams who provide holistic, collaborative care. Country SA PHN is excited to be commissioning a Head to Health satellite in Mount Gambier to complement existing mental health services for the Limestone Coast community. Another Head to Health full centre is planned for country South Australia in Mount Barker.
The Adult Head to Health sites are designed to provide a welcoming, low stigma, soft entry point to engagement, assessment and treatment for people who may be experiencing moderate to high levels of distress or crisis, including people with conditions too complex for many current primary care services, but who are not eligible for, or who need more timely care than that available through public mental health services.
Head to Health also offers immediate, short, and medium-term episodes of care and service navigation to connect people to ongoing services. It assists adults seeking help in times of crisis, or as needs emerge, to have access to on-the-spot care, advice and support provided by mental health professionals – without needing a prior appointment or GP referral.
In the 2021-22 Budget the Australian Government also included funding for a National Head to Health central intake and assessment telephone service (1800 595 212). This has been operating since 1 July 2022, offering consistent triage and referral to the most appropriate service.
Country SA PHN is currently commissioning the Mount Gambier Head to Health site. Interested organisations can access all relevant documents and apply via the Country SA PHN e-procurement portal TenderLink before October 14: https://bit.ly/3QTHCXT
