Australian mental health services
10-minute read
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are many different mental health services in Australia. The Federal, state and territory governments, and the private sector, provide these services. They can be face-to-face, online or by telephone. Understanding how they work and fit together can be daunting. Here is a summary of the different types of mental health services and how to access them.
Emergency mental health care
A mental health crisis, when someone may hurt themselves or others, is an emergency.
If you or someone you care for is in immediate danger call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
If you're in crisis and need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. This service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis can call 13YARN on 13 92 76. This service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mental health telephone triage services
Each state and territory has a mental health telephone triage service. Call this for help for you or someone else. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Emergency departments
All major public hospitals (and some private hospitals) have an emergency department. This is where people can receive emergency help for mental health conditions.
If you or someone you know feels suicidal, has thoughts of harming others or is very unwell, you can visit your local emergency department.
Ambulance
Ambulance services also provide emergency care to people with mental health conditions. Dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Inpatient hospital care
Sometimes a person may need to stay at hospital for treatment. Major public hospitals have psychiatric units. There are also specialist psychiatric hospitals, both public and private. These hospitals have a range of specialist mental health professionals. Someone may stay in a psychiatric hospital for a day or a couple of weeks or longer.
A person is normally admitted to a public psychiatric facility through the emergency department, admissions unit or a community mental health team. Your doctor or a psychiatrist will help admit you to to private psychiatric hospital.
Occasionally, a person may need to stay at a mental health unit by law. This is for their own safety or for the safety of others. After the person’s admission to a mental health unit, a doctor must make the case to a tribunal to extend their stay, and the person can legally object.
Community mental health services
Community mental health services can assess people experiencing mental health problems and give them support.
There may be teams for:
- children and adolescents
- older people
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
And specifically for people:
- experiencing acute episodes
- needing recovery orientated care
- with complex needs, for example homelessness
- experiencing early psychosis
- who have an acquired brain injury
Community mental health services are not standard across Australia. They generally involve different mental health professionals, including:
They often work together in teams. The team may work with a person’s general practitioner (GP). Some teams have peer workers — people who have experienced mental health problems and recovery.
How can community mental health services help?
Community mental health care recognises that a person who is well can become unwell. It helps in situations where a person’s mental health worsens suddenly. Some teams provide psychiatric care when a person has a mental health crisis.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help support people with mental health conditions that greatly impact on their everyday life. This support includes helping them find meaningful employment and activities. It also involves helping them with the challenges of daily living.
Where can you access community mental health care services?
Community mental health services can be provided in several ways:
- hospital outpatient clinics
- community mental health centres or clinics
- in a person’s home
- online
- telephone
You can use the telephone mental health triage service for each state and territory to get mental health support. This triage service is available in each state and territory. It can refer people to a community mental health service if appropriate. These phone lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People may get community mental health services at a residence, such as at a residential unit. This includes rehabilitation, treatment or extended care in a domestic-type environment.
This helps people move from being an inpatient in a hospital to living in the community. It also helps with independent living skills. It may help someone avoid admission to hospital in the first place or provide respite care.
Specialist mental health services
Some mental health services specialise in certain mental health problems. They may be for serious mental health problems or aimed at specific groups of people.
Examples include services for eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, personality disorders and postnatal disorders. Some help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, war veterans, refugees, older people and families.
General practitioners, psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals
Many people with a mental health problem see a general practitioner (GP) first. You don’t need a referral to see a GP. They can diagnose and treat some mental health conditions themselves. They can tell you about appropriate services and refer you to other mental health professionals. Some general practices work with mental health teams.
In rural or remote Australia, a general practice may be one of the few places to offer a mental health service. But people can get Medicare rebates (refunds) to help them access mental health professionals, regardless of where they live. This includes video and telephone consultations.
To see a psychiatrist, you don’t always need a referral from a doctor, but without one you won’t get a Medicare rebate. If you see a psychiatrist in a public hospital or community health service, you usually won’t have to pay.
You don't need a referral to see a psychologist, occupational therapist, social worker or counsellor. However, with the right referral you can get a Medicare rebate with certain eligible psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.
Telephone and online mental health support services
There are many non-Government organisations that offer free or low-cost mental health advice, counselling and online programs. These services can help people who have difficulty accessing face-to-face services or who want to be anonymous.
Here is a list of mental health telephone helplines.
You can call Head to Health on 1800 595 212 for advice and to get connected to local mental health services. Check the operating times. The Head to Health website provides information on how to navigate the mental health system, live well and find help.
Online mental health programs include:
- headspace (for people aged 12 to 25 and their families) — call 1800 650 890 or chat online
- Beyond Blue (anyone feeling depressed or anxious) — call 1300 22 4636 or chat online
- Black Dog Institute (anyone affected by mood disorders) — online help
- SANE Australia (people living with a mental illness) — call 1800 187 263 or chat online
- This Way Up (anyone with stress, anxiety and depression) — online courses
- MindSpot (people with anxiety and depression) — call 1800 61 44 34 or complete an online screening assessment.
Help for carers
If you care for someone with a mental health condition, find support at the Carer Gateway website.
How can I connect with a mental health service?
If you need to access a mental health service, it is best to find someone to be your first point of contact. If you need advice on where to start, mental health helplines can guide you to the most appropriate care. Anyone living in Australia can call Head to Health on 1800 595 212 to get connected to the mental health service that is best for them.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be referred to your local GP or health service, a Head to Health centre or another mental health service that's available in your region.
Most states and territories have a web page listing their mental health services and how to access them.
Find out more about where to get help for mental health problems and about mental health professionals here.
Who pays for mental health services?
Medicare pays for all or part of the cost of seeing doctors and psychiatrists. You can get a Medicare benefit for eligible psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers if you have a mental health treatment plan, or if a psychiatrist or paediatrician refers you. There may still be a gap to pay.
A mental health treatment plan helps to cover costs for appointments with a mental health professional. A doctor must refer you and you must have a diagnosed mental illness.
Find out more about paying for mental health services.
Mental health services by state and territory
State and territory governments provide hospital, emergency and community mental health services. They also have a range of other services that support mental health including:
- community support
- housing
- drug and alcohol rehabilitation
- education and early childhood services
Many of these services are given through partnerships with organisations that offer support and education for people with mental illness.
Get a detailed overview of mental health services in each state: