Below is more information on the diverse range of mental health services and programs we support and commission, categorised by intensity of support.
Recently HNECCPHN has contracted new Indigenous Mental Health (IMH) providers to service the Hunter, New England, and Mid Coast regions.
There were seven IMH providers successful for these regions and the program has been split into two separate contracts.
The IAR Guidance and Decision Support Tool (IAR DST) is a holistic decision-making framework that uses the stepped care approach to assist general practitioners and clinicians in matching consumers with the most appropriate mental health services for their needs.
The PHN commissions a range of suicide prevention and aftercare programs to support the community in addressing suicide. Tailored suicide prevention and intervention training options are available and free to those living and working in the Hunter, Central Coast and New England.
Learn more about the GP Psychiatry Support Line, Central Access and Referral Service and Mind Health Service Connect Line.
Our PHN promotes the availability of validated self-help and digital mental health services as part of a Stepped Care approach to mental health service provision.
Our PHN commissions a range of providers across our region to offer efficient and effective evidence based psychological interventions for people with moderate mental illness who are not otherwise able to access services.
Learn more about the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program (CPS) (Previously known as Psychosocial Support Services) and Call to Mind - Telehealth Psychiatry Services
We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the Hunter, New England and Central Coast communities as reflected in our existing and future partnerships across a range of health issues. We have a strong commitment to mental health and suicide prevention and recognise the importance of a system-wide approach to better outcomes for individuals and communities.
The Mental Health Regional Plan provides a blueprint for more reliable and integrated mental health services in the Hunter, New England and Central Coast regions. In line with the directions of the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan (5th National Plan)1, this plan acknowledges the need to provide more integrated care, and focus on the fragmentation across the service system to address unmet needs and improve outcomes and experiences of care for individual and communities in our area.
In response to increased Commonwealth funding for Primary Health Networks to commission Mental Health Services for Older Australians, including people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities, we have developed an Aged Care Mental Health Strategy 2020 -2023.
The Strategy was developed to complement existing Mental Health services, while addressing the needs and gaps identified through the Aged Care Mental Health Needs Assessment to implement a suite of services within a stepped care framework that were appropriate for older people. Broad evidence-based interventions will complement existing services to holistically address the mental health and wellbeing of older people, while also supporting workforce capacity.
The Mental Health Innovation Challenge, hosted by the PHN has unveiled a wealth of exciting programs and services aimed at increasing mental fitness across the region.
This report summarises the outcomes findings from an independent evaluation of several of the PHN's Older Australians Mental Health Pilot programs.
More than 200 health professionals, students, researchers, and entrepreneurs have met across the region with the aim of developing innovative solutions to declining mental health fitness.
Collaboration with stakeholders is crucial to help us understand emerging issues impacting the community, focus on the right topics at the right time and develop resources that are fit for purpose. We seek to work with you and value contributions to our planning. Please contact the mental health team or phone on the number below to connect with us.
