Indigenous Mental Health Program
Last updated October 3, 2023
Our PHN works with clinicians, service providers, people with a lived experience and local communities to commission mental health care that reflects local needs and focuses on safe, effective and quality service.
We commission services that adopt the following system reform platforms:
- Person centred care funded on the basis of need
- Thinking nationally, acting locally
- Delivering services within a stepped care approach
- Effective early intervention across the lifespan
- Digital mental health services
Indigenous Mental Health Commissioned Services
The HNECCPHN has contracted 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 therapeutic group programs is a 12-week holistic group program encompassing activities such as weaving, art, music, fishing, on country days and other activities. These groups have an overall focus on mental health topics and strategies to support clients to self-manage their mental health whilst engaging in social interaction.
The Care Coordination, Peer Navigation and Suicide Postvention contract is based on a stepped care model, providing support to clients with severe and complex mental illness. The Care Coordinator is responsible for the clinical aspects of care including clinical care planning, physical health, and linkages to psychosocial counselling support this can only be accessed by GP referral.
Whilst the Peer navigator would provide one on one support to link and access mental health services, psychosocial supports, community and mainstream supports. The Peer Navigator will also provide practical support in accessing services and appointments as well providing information and support for family and carers.
The suicide postvention program is a targeted Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community program improving the response to and caring for those affected by suicide and suicide attempts by supporting family through community-based education program linkages to counselling and other support services, suicide safety planning, stigma reduction family education and support.
View details of the providers and programs in each region.
Referral pathways for these programs will be on HealthPathways or alternatively contact the providers through their website or via phone.