Mental Health Services

CAMHS understand that families and carers of young people are their greatest strengths and best supports, therefore whenever possible families are included in the assessment and treatment.  At a minimum the young person and one parent or adult carer attends the first assessment.

Generally young people seen by CAMHS have received treatment from their GP, a private mental health practitioner, or an agency such as headspace without an improvement in their mental health symptoms.

CAMHS will accept referrals for young people at high risk due to their mental health problem or with very complex needs, even if they have not had community treatment.

Young people with the following difficulties can be seen by CAMHS:

• Suicidal intentions or attempts, or self-harming behaviour with risk of significant harm due to mental health problems.
• Recent changes to behaviour or reduced day to day functioning possibly due to psychosis or major depression.
• Threats or behaviours with high risk of harm to others or property due to mental health problems
• Severe eating disorder

Depending on other factors such as having a poor response to previous treatment, complex family factors, having more than one health problem, and having moderate problems with day to day functioning, CAMHS may provide assessment and treatment for young people experiencing moderate impairment  due to the following:

Depression or anxiety disorders including obsessive Compulsive Disorder,

Eating disorders, and

Complex Post Traumatic Stress disorder with emotional dysregulation.

CAMHS usually does not provide services for people with the following difficulties, however they may be seen if they also have a significant mental health condition:  Child protection issues, recent trauma such as assault, intellectual disability, autism, substance-use disorder, gender identity issues, ADHD, truancy or bullying, and brain injury.

CAMHS does not provide psychiatrist only consultation.

Referrals can be made by the young person themselves, parents or carers, and health or education providers.

Referrals

Make a referral by contacting the Mental Health Line (MHL) on 1800 011 511.

The MHL is staffed by mental health clinicians and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will triage the referral to determine if it is suitable for CAMHS, if it is not they will suggest alternative services.  The triage is conducted directly with young people over 16 years, with parents of young people 14 years or younger, and with parents and young people between 14 and 16 years.

CAMHS endeavors to see new clients for assessment within two weeks and within two days where a mental health professional determines an urgent need for assessment.

Emergency

In an emergency situation call 000.

If someone has attempted, or is at immediate risk of attempting to harm themselves or someone else call 000 immediately.

Crisis support

Lifeline 

13 11 14

www.lifeline.org.au

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Suicide Call Back Service

1300 659 467

www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

A free service for people who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, bereaved by suicide or are health professionals supporting people affected by suicide.

Kids Help Line

1800 55 1800

www.kidshelpline.com.au

Kids Helpline is a free, 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

Child Protection Helpline

132 111

www.community.nsw.gov.au/preventing-child-abuse-and-neglect/protecting-children

If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact the Child Protection Helpline. The Child Protection Helpline is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, state wide call centre staffed by professionally qualified caseworkers to receive and screen all reports.

A Mental Health Care Plan can be obtained from your general practitioner for eligible people. Mental Health care plans can assists with the cost of accessing private psychological services by providing funding through Medicare.

The following counselling services support and assist people from various groups and communities. Check call rates for each service before you use a mobile phone as you may be charged mobile rates.

ARAFMI Hunter Inc

02 4961 6717 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm)

www.arafmihunter.org

Mental Health Carers ARAFMI Hunter Inc. is a non-Government not for profit charitable organisation managed by a committee of family members, carers, mental health care professionals and interested local people. At least 51% of the committee membership are relatives of people with a mental illness. Mental Health Carers ARAFMI Hunter recognizes the need for carers and family of the mentally ill to be able to reach out to someone for support, information or just an understanding voice. Telephone Support Counselling is available from 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

MensLine    

1300 78 9978

www.mensline.org.au

MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues. MensLine provides a safe and private place to talk about concerns; confidential, anonymous and non-judgmental support; coaching and practical strategies for managing personal relationship concerns; and relevant information and linkage to other appropriate services and programs as required.

Kids Help Line

1800 55 1800

www.kidshelpline.com.au

Kids Helpline is a free, 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS)

1800 011 046

www.vvcs.gov.au

VVCS provides free and confidential, nation-wide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. VVCS also provides relationship and family counselling to address issues that can arise due to the unique nature of military service. VVCS counsellors have an understanding of military culture and can work with clients to find effective solutions for improved mental health and wellbeing.

Carers Australia NSW

1800 242 636

www.carersnsw.org.au

Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.

QLife   

1800 184 527 (3pm to 12am every day)

www.qlife.org.au

QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people. QLife provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer supported telephone and web based services to diverse people of all ages experiencing poor mental health, psychological distress, social isolation, discrimination, experiences of being misgendered and/or other social determinants that impact on their health and wellbeing. Online chat support available from 3pm to 12am every day.

eheadspace  

1800 650 890

www.eheadspace.org.au

eheadspace is not an emergency service but offers mental health support and treatment where appropriate. eheadspace provides online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends. If you're aged 12 to 25, you can contact eheadspace if you need support or are worried about your mental health. eheadspace can help you deal with a broad range of issues like bullying, drug and alcohol issues, depression and anxiety, relationships, concerns about a friend, fitting in and isolation. eheadspace specialists can also help you to get back on track with your study, career, job and other advice relating to employment and education. If you're a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of a young person aged 12 to 25, you can contact eheadspace for specialist advice and support. You can also visit the headspace website for more information: headspace.org.au.

1800 RESPECT

1800 737 732

www.1800respect.org.au

1800RESPECT is the National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service. It is a confidential online and telephone counselling, information and referral service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service is staffed by professional counsellors with a minimum of a three year tertiary degree in relevant fields and no less than two years’ full time counselling experience. Callers are answered immediately and transferred to the service they need.

Domestic Violence Line

1800 656 463

www.domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au/

The Domestic Violence Line is a statewide free-call number available 24 hours, seven days a week. The Domestic Violence Line provides telephone counselling, information and referrals for women and same-sex partners who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. Domestic Violence Line staff are aware of the special needs of Aboriginal women and women from other cultures, as well as those living in rural and remote areas. Interpreters and TTY can be arranged where necessary to ensure that all people, regardless of their language or disability can use the service. The service has an extensive list of contacts, people and services across NSW who can help. The Domestic Violence Line makes referrals to women's refuges and explains what they are and what they do. It also makes referrals to family support services, counselling, the police and courts, lawyers and hospitals. It helps with transport, emergency accommodation and other relevant support.

Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS)

1800 422 599

You can call ADIS any time of the day or week for support, information, advice, crisis counselling and referral to services in NSW. ADIS counsellors understand the difficulties of finding appropriate drug and alcohol treatment and use their knowledge and experience to assist you.

Relationships Australia

1300 364 277

www.relationships.org.au

Relationships Australia provides relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. They offer services around the country that include counselling, family dispute resolution (mediation) and a range of family and community support and education programs. Fees for programs and services vary – please check the website for further information.

Interrelate  

1300 736 966

02 4016 0550 (Newcastle)

http://www.interrelate.org.au/

Interrelate provides relationship services through a network of centres across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales. They offer relationship education, counselling, parenting support, a parenting after separation program, family dispute resolution and carer support. Some of their services are free and others attract a fee that may be charged based on income.