Mental health services commissioned for priority populations - Eligibility and Providers

The PHN has recently commissioned five service providers to deliver primary mental health services for priority populations across the Hunter, New England, and Central Coast regions.

About the program

The program aims to provide greater access to mental health services for priority populations living with mental illness in the HNECC region. Individuals eligible for the program can receive up to a maximum of 12 service contacts in a year.

Referral pathways

All referrals are required to go via PRIMA. In the Hunter and New England regions, referrals can be made via SeNT eReferral, and on the Central Coast, referrals can be made via the Coast & Country Primary Care referral portal.

Eligibility criteria

Services are to be targeted to give priority to the most vulnerable populations that experience financial hardship and have difficulties/barriers in accessing mental health treatment in the Primary Care sector including but not limited to:

• First Nations people
• People with disabilities
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
• People experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness
• Older people that are isolated and/or living alone
• People living in rural and remote communities
• People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) for who stigma and lack of appropriate services may provide barriers to care
• Individuals at risk of, or who have self- harmed, attempted suicide or who have suicidal ideation, and can be appropriately managed in the primary health care setting
• People living in communities affected by natural disasters (i.e., drought, floods, and bushfires)

Service providers

GPs wishing for more information should contact their Primary Care Improvement Officer.