The Mental Health Program focuses on the following:

• Managing the Better Outcomes in Mental Health program
• Provide information for GPs and other Health Professionals regarding mental health issues
• Informing GPs about education opportunities
• Managing and providing clinical services under the Mental Health Nursing Program
• The Division will liaise as required with Community Mental Health Team

Contact

GPs can access any of the above services by calling the Division or contacting Julie.

The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program (BOMH)

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) enables GPs under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOMHC) program to refer consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focussed psychological strategies. Allied health professionals have been defined to include psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers with specific mental health qualifications. Through ATAPS, patients are eligible for a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year - six time-limited sessions with an option for a further six sessions following a mental health review by the referring GP. Sessions can be individual and/or group therapy sessions. BOMH aims to provide patients with assistance for short-term intervention. If further sessions are required it may mean that the patient needs a longer term program to meet his/her needs.  Patients are not to be referred for treatment through Better Access (BAMH)  and BOMH at the same time. Treatment through both Better Access and BOMH may occur within one calendar year, provided the total number of individual or group services provided under both programs does not exceed the maximum allowable in a calendar year.   

Useful BOMH program forms for GPs are available on the Mental Health Resources page (requires login)

Better Access to Mental Health Care (BAMH)

Patients who have a GP Mental Health Care Plan, or who are being managed by a GP under a referred psychiatrist assessment and management plan (item 291), have access to certain mental health service items on the MBS. Eligible patients can claim up to 12 Medicare rebates per calendar year (provided in one or more groups of up to six sessions) for individual services provided by clinical psychologists, appropriately trained GPs and/or other allied mental health professionals. Eligible patients can also claim up to 12 rebates per calendar year for group services provided by clinical psychologists and/or other allied mental health professionals. Referrals to eligible allied mental health professionals should include similar information as per normal GP referral arrangements, and GPs should specifically consider including both a statement identifying that a GP Mental Health Care Plan has been completed for the patient (including, where appropriate and with the patient’s agreement, attaching a copy of the patient’s GP Mental Health Care Plan) and clearly identifying the specific number of sessions the patient is being referred for. Referrals should be provided, as required, in one or more groups of up to six sessions.

Resources

Psychologists & Social Workers in the Southern Highlands

BOMH and BAMH The Simple Explanation!

Education Opportunities for Mental Health Skills Training

Black Dog Institute
Institute of Psychiatry
ACCRM - courses including the online Core Skills Program

If you are a GP and need to find a Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) course, you can visit the ‘find mental health training’ page on the GPMHSC webpage. The Secretariat is available to assist GPs in checking their MHST status, which is a requirement if they wish to use Medicare Item No. 2710.

Please follow the above links to view full course details on offer and how to register.

Would you like to know more about the Mood Assessment Program (MAP)?

MAP Overview & Referrer Registration
Patient Info Sheet - Southern Highlands MAP Centre
Referral Form - Southern Highlands MAP Centre

Referral Pathways and Funding for Autism July 08

For information about this new Medicare item please go to:

Referral Pathways and Funding for Autism   

Autism Support May 2009

Autism Funding Brochure
Autism Funding Pathway
Information For Parents and Carers - Autism Funding May09
New Early Childhood Autism Programs in Wingecarribee

The following full clinical guidelines are provided by RANZCP.

Anorexia
Bipolar
Deliberate Self Harm
Depression
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Schizophrenia

Acute Stress, Trauma and Bereavement - information for GPs (NSW Health)

Acute Stress

Useful forms and templates for GPs

Useful forms and templates for GPs are available on the Mental Health Resources page (requires login)

BOMH Program forms for Allied Mental Health Professionals

Useful BOMH Program forms are available on the Mental Health Resources page (requires login)

Child and Adolescent

Referral Pathways and Funding for Autism July 08

For information about this new Medicare item please go to:

Referral Pathways and Funding for Autism   

Elderly

Depression in the Elderly

Drug and Alcohol

GPs Combat Alcohol Problems in New Online Module

Helpful Links

www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au - Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
www.beyondblue.org.au
www.cedd.org.au/ - Eating Disorders
www.cnsforum.com
www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/groups/dass/
www.racgp.org.au/mentalhealth - This section brings together a range of information of interest to general practitioners which relates to mental health.
www.ranzcp.org/ - The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
www.rcpsych.ac.uk - The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Anglicare Counselling Service

Anglicare provides a general counsellor on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Moss Vale from 9.30am to 4.00pm.

• Booking 4868 1780 - speak to Sandra between 9am and1pm and 1.30pm and 3pm
• Current waiting list (June 2010) approximately 2 - 4 weeks unless urgent
• Cost is nominal based on income