Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is always important. This was clear throughout the pandemic, and continues to be important today.

If you live with a mental illness, or are struggling with your mental health for the first time — you’re not alone.

The mental health team at Access Health and Community provide a range of services to help.  Our team works to help you live the most meaningful life for you. Everyone is welcome to attend our service.

Whether you have a mental health diagnosis, or you’re seeking help for the first time – we can help find the right supports for you. We work with adults, young people and family members. 

Our team of dedicated mental health clinicians and support workers provide a range of different supports to help with your mental health and well-being.  

Because we work closely with other organisations, we can connect you with other supports you may need— we’re here to help you find the best treatment options. 

We can offer services face-to-face and through telehealth (video or telephone). 

News from our mental health team: NDIS mental health appointments now available!

Did you know you can access our mental health services using your NDIS funding?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides access to support for people with a disability. This includes disabilities related to mental illness (sometimes called psychosocial disabilities).

Access HC is a registered NDIS provider. If you’re eligible for NDIS funding, you can use your plan to pay for the mental health services you need — like psychology appointments.

You don’t need a referral from your doctor. If you’re a current NDIS participant, and your plan includes psychology or social work, you or your support coordinator can give us a call on 9810 3000.

To access psychology appointments, you can use your improved daily living funds (support item code 15_054_0128_1_3). The cost is $222.99 per hour.

To access social Work appointments, you can use your therapeutic supports funds (support item code 15_043_0128_1_3). The cost is $156.16 per hour.

If you would like to know more about the NDIS and services we offer at Access HC, you can email our dedicated NDIS team at NDIS@accesshc.org.au

To find out whether you’re eligible for the NDIS, you can view the checklist on their website.

If you’re eligible for the NDIS but need help accessing support, you can get in touch with the NDIS Mental Health Access Project at EACH.

Types of mental health support we offer:

We off the following services:

• Psychological Therapy and Counselling
• Care Coordination
• Mental Health Nursing
• Social Work
• headspace Hawthorn: support for young people aged 12-25 years
• Peer support
• Mental health group programs
• Steps Mental Health
• Head to Health
• Mental health services via the NDIS
• Education and training programs for schools and community organisations.

Booking an appointment

If you would like to talk to someone about your mental health, you can call our mental health intake team on 9810 3000. 

Our friendly and skilled intake workers will ask you some brief questions—this is to help you find the right support. 

The telephone lines might be busy as we respond to everyone. If you can’t get through, please email mentalhealth.intake@accesshc.org.au 

Steps Mental Health

We’re proud to be offering the Steps Mental Health program at Access Health and Community. 

Steps Mental Health is a program that goes at your pace. We’re here to link you with the right level of support. 

The Steps program is also flexible— we know your support needs will change over time, and if that happens, we change with you. We can ‘step up’ or ‘step down’ with you, making sure you get the right level of support without having to change care providers. 

Anyone living or working in the Cities of Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges is welcome to attend Steps Mental Health services.   

To learn more about Steps Mental Health visit the  website  or call us on 1800 378 377. 

(Steps Mental Health is the Stepped Care Program in Inner East and Outer East Melbourne, funded by the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network)

Mental Health Support Groups

Our mental health team runs a range of support groups. These groups are both clinical and peer-led. 

Our clinical groups cover specific mental health topics and present new ways to manage your mental health. 

Peer-led groups are run by people with lived experience— they’re a place for you to connect with others who understand what you’re going through. 

To join a support group, call our intake team on 9810 3000 or speak to your clinician/support worker about a referral. 

Head to Health 

Head to Health supports Victorians of all ages find the best mental health support for them. 

When you call Head to Health on 1800 595 212, an experienced mental health professional will listen and work with you to find the best ways to get the help you need. 

Depending on your needs, you may: 

• receive care at a Head to Health hub, either onsite or through telehealth 
• be connected with suitable existing services 

• be connected to specialist or acute mental health services, including emergency care. 

For more information about Head to Health, visit headtohealth.gov.au 

This initiative is funded by the Australian Government under the PHN program.