MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

EMERGENCY CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Hospital Emergency Departments (ED):

o In the Perth metropolitan area, children under 16yrs can present to PMH ED. Young
adults (16 plus) can present to the hospital EDs in their area.
o In regional areas, people of any age can attend their area’s hospital ED.

Acute Response Team (ART) This service can be access through metropolitan emergency
departments
Commenced operation 5 November 2012. Metropolitan-based service which operates 24
hours per day, 7 days per week and conducts mental health assessments in emergency
departments and other community settings.

Acute Community Intervention Team (ACIT) Referrals to ACIT are via emergency
departments or CAMHS
Commenced operation in 2008, operates weekdays during business hours within the
metropolitan area. Provides a rapid, short term intervention in which assessment takes
place and assistance is provided to the young person and their family until difficulties
stabilise and care can be passed to appropriate community-based professionals.

EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

RuralLink – 1800 552 002

Rurallink is an after-hours extension of local country mental health services providing easy
telephone access to experienced community mental health staff, with a focus on supporting
people with mental health issues. The service provides an after-hours contact point for new
and existing clients, carers, other community members, health professionals, and
community and welfare services within regional areas.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) - 1300 555 788

Staffed by mental health professionals, the 24 hour mental health call centre will provide
expert and accurate telephone response to acute mental health issues. All callers will be
triaged and referred to the most appropriate acute response team according to the level of
clinical priority. This service operates within the metropolitan area.

Community (Crisis) Assessment and Treatment Teams – Metropolitan after hours

integrated extension of crisis and emergency mental health services in the community which
is responsive and accessible for people experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency. In
the South Metropolitan area, CATT works in 4 Teams which cover the catchments of
Armadale, Bentley, Fremantle and Rockingham and Peel. In the North Metropolitan area,
the ATTs work in 4 teams based at Stirling, Swan, Perth City and Joondalup. The afternoon
duty shift is supplemented with an overnight on-call shift for the area. These teams can be
accessed via MHERL (1300 555 788).
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 Sexual Assault Resource Centre – 1800 199 888
SARC provides counselling to people who have been sexually assaulted or sexually abused.
You can choose to see a female or male counsellor. The counsellor will focus on your feelings
and your reactions and together with you will explore strategies to help you to heal and feel
in control of your life.

GENERAL PRACTITIONER SERVICES

General practitioners (GPs) are the foundation of primary care. It is the first point of health care
delivered to people outside of hospitals. GPs are medical experts, trained to deal with all types of
problems including mental illness.

State-wide Youth-Friendly GPs

(GPs who have undertaken specific Youth Friendly GP training by the AMA)
http://www.amawa.com.au/IntheCommunity/ListofYouthFriendlyDoctors.aspx

Fremantle Medicare Local – GP4YP (General Practice for Young People)

GP4YP is a youth friendly, free, confidential medical practice for young people. The practice
focuses on health issues specific to young people, including physical health, mental health,
alcohol and other drug use, sexual health and relationship issues. The aims of the service are
to provide non-judgmental, easily accessible consultations. Clients are offered long
appointment times so that the GPs can get to know the young person and fully understand
their issues
http://www.fremantlemedicarelocal.com.au/community/healthy-bodies/gp4yp

Mobile GP:
Mobile GP uses an innovative model to provide healthcare to homeless and marginalised
people in the metropolitan area. Mobile GP works in collaboration with the social welfare,
mental health and drug rehabilitation agencies. "Youth by Mobile GP" aims to deal with the
issues confronting homeless youth and hopefully assist them to get out of the cycle of
homelessness before it becomes a long term issue for them.
http://www.mobilegp.org.au/index.htm

Street Doctor:
StreetDoctor is a mobile, easily accessible, confidential, non-judgmental and non-
discriminatory bulk-billing primary health care service. The service employs a
multidisciplinary team of GPs, Registered Nurses and Outreach Workers, with the aim of
improving health outcomes and reduces hospitalisation for disadvantaged people of all ages
and from all areas.
o Perth Central and East Metro: http://ppcn.org.au/street-doctor
o Fremantle: http://www.fremantlemedicarelocal.com.au/health-care-
professionals/services/freo-street-doctor

GP Helpline – 1800 022 222

People who require after hours medical advice, who cannot access their usual GP and are
not sure what they should do, can speak to a GP over the telephone, when necessary. The
GP Helpline is a national service which operates 24/7.

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 PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES

Young people and their families are able to be referred by their GP to private psychiatrists and
clinical psychologists through Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS).

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS

There are more than 300 school psychologists working in Western Australia’s public and non-
government school system. Parents and students are able to engage with these services directly
through their school.

24 HOUR TELEPHONE COUNSELLING SERVICES

Lifeline WA: (08) 13 11 14

Provides a telephone counselling service.

Crisis Care: 9223 1111 or free call 1800 199 008

Crisis Care is a telephone information and counselling service for people in crisis needing
urgent help. Telephone Crisis Care when:
o you need someone to help sort out a serious problem
o you are concerned about the wellbeing of a child
o you are escaping domestic violence and need help
o arguments are causing unhappiness and problems in your family
o you are alone or afraid and urgently need to talk to someone
o you are homeless
o you need counselling, information or other support

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800

Is a confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged
between 5 and 25 years.

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and
those bereaved by suicide, across Australia.

The Samaritans Crisis Line (Youth): (08) 9388 2500

Provides a crisis telephone service which offers anonymous, non-judgemental, non-religious
emotional support, from appropriately trained individuals.

MensLine: 1300 78 99 78
Is a professional telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping
men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.

Headspace: 1800 650 890

Provides online and telephone support and counselling to young people aged 12 to 25 years.

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 ONLINE SUPPORT SERVICES

Reachout: http://au.reachout.com
ReachOut.com is a web-based service that provides young people, their families and carers,
with the information, tools, skills and connections they need to make positive decisions
about their mental health and wellbeing.

Headspace: https://www.eheadspace.org.au
Provides online and telephone support and counselling to young people aged 12 to 25.

Suicide Call Back Service: http://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

In addition to their crisis support telephone service, the Suicide Call Back Service website
offers a number of online resources for those affected by suicide.

Youth beyondblue: http://www.youthbeyondblue.com

Provides information and resources relating to mental health problems such as depression
and anxiety.

It’s All Right: http://www.itsallright.org

Itsallright is a website where you can read the diaries of four teenagers, based on real
stories, as they deal with the challenge of living with mental illness in their family. It also has
useful Factsheets and Podcasts and provides an online information and referral service on
mental illness including schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders.

Mood Gym: https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Provides a free self-help program to teach cognitive behaviour therapy skills to people
vulnerable to depression and anxiety.

E-couch: https://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome
E-couch is a self-help interactive program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety
and worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss & grief.

Black Dog Institute (youth): http://www.biteback.org.au

BITE BACK is a new and evolving website which aims to improve the wellbeing and mental
fitness of young people, based on the principles of positive psychology – the science of
optimal functioning.

MensLine: http://www.mensline.org.au/Home.html
Is a professional telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping
men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way. It operates 24
hours, 7 days a week.

depressioNet: http://depressionet.org.au
The purpose of depressioNet.com.au is to empower people experiencing depression to
make informed choices and find solutions to the challenges of living with depression.

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 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES:

Community CAMHS provides specialist community based outpatient mental health services for
young people across Western Australia and offers a weekday service during business hours. The
services offer assessment, case coordination and multidisciplinary treatment services for children
and adolescents with severe, complex and persistent mental disorders. Young people with severe
and complex mental health disorders who have been admitted to an inpatient unit will require
specialist Community CAMHS follow up to achieve long-lasting changes.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are available at:

Metropolitan locations:
Armadale: (08) 9391 2455
Bentley: (08) 9334 3900
Clarkson: (08) 9304 6200
Fremantle: (08) 9435 9700
Hillarys: (08) 9403 1999
Midland: (08) 9250 5777
Peel: (08) 9531 8080
Rockingham/Kwinana: (08) 9528 0555
Shenton Park: (08) 9381 7055
Warwick: (08) 9448 5544
Great Southern
Albany: (08) 9892 2440
Narrogin: (08) 9881077
Katanning: (08) 98216341
Goldfields
Kalgoorlie: (08) 9088 6200
Esperance: (08) 90710444
South West
Bunbury: (08) 9722 1300
Busselton: (08) 97540560
Bridgetown: (08) 97821444
Wheatbelt
Northam: (08) 9621 0999
Pilbara
Karratha: (08) 9143 2346
Port Hedland: (08) 91741240
Kimberley
Broome: (08) 9194 2640
Derby: (08) 91933605
Kununurra: (08) 91664350
Fitzroy Crossing: (08) 91930093
Midwest
Geraldton: (08) 99561999
Carnarvon: (08) 99416600

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Specialist Inpatient and Outreach CAMHS Services:

o Bentley Adolescent Unit – 12 bed inpatient facility for young people aged 12 to 18
years. The unit provides a statewide specialised service and admissions are provided
to both voluntary and involuntary patients.
o Ward 4H at Princess Margaret Hospital – 8 bed inpatient facility for young people
aged 6 to 16 years. This is a voluntary unit which provides a statewide service for
short-term assessment and interventions for children and adolescents with an acute
mental health disorder.
o Transition Unit – recovery-based day program for 12 to 18 year olds.
o Family Pathways – intensive family outreach program and therapeutic school room
for 0 to 12 year olds. (08) 9382 0730
o Families at Work – residential sub-acute program for 6 to 12 year olds (note: this
service is temporarily being provided as a community outreach program until early
2013)
o Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service – expert assessment service
for complex ADHD with co-morbid mental health disorders. Contact (08) 9360 1650
o Multi-Systemic Therapy – intensive community based multisystemic program for 12
to 16 year olds with significant conduct disorder: Contact (08) 9431 3787
o Eating Disorders Service – outpatient, day patient and inpatient services providing
consultation, education, assessment and intervention for 0 to 16 year olds with an
eating disorder. (08) 9340 7012
o Integrated Service Centres at Koondoola and Parkwood Primary Schools – support
for children and refugee families in school setting.

Specialist Statewide Aboriginal Mental Health Services: (08) 9347 6600

A dedicated state-wide Aboriginal mental health service providing comprehensive treatment
for Aboriginal people with a serious mental illness. The State-wide Specialist Aboriginal
Mental Health Service (SSAMHS) operates with cultural integrity and provide a ‘whole of
family’ approach to service delivery regardless of location within Western Australia. This
service supports Aboriginal people to access mainstream mental health services and
increase the capacity of these services to better meet the needs of Aboriginal people.

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 SPECIALIST YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Youthlink and YouthReach South: 1300 362 569

YouthReach South and Youthlink provide free and confidential counselling and support services to
at-risk and marginalised young people who are:
o 13-24 Years
o Have a serious mental health disorder and/or complex psychosocial issues
o Unwilling or unable to access other mental health or counselling services due to barriers
such as transience or homelessness
o Limited support and isolation
o Significant difficulty in engaging with services
o Agree to a referral

Using a person-centred approach, services provide assessment, counselling and case-management

with a focus on engagement and assertive follow-up. Both services have the capacity to offer
outreach where appropriate.

Youth Axis: 1300 362 569

To commence in early 2013, this new service will deliver comprehensive assessment and first phase
treatment to young people (16-24) with complex presentations primarily associated with ultra-high
risk psychosis or emerging personality disorder. The Youth Axis service will complement existing
mental health services for young people.

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 NON-GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Headspace – health and mental health support, advice and information for 12 – 25yrs
Fremantle: (08) 9335 6333
Albany: (08) 9842 9871
Broome: (08) 9193 6222
Osborne Park: (08) 9208 9555
An additional Headspace centre will open in Midland in 2013.

Lynks Counselling: Lynks is the youth and family counselling service of YMCA Perth. Lynks
provides counselling and support to young people aged 15-25 years and families for a range
of issues: (08) 9328 3522

Streetsyde offers emergency accommodation for those young people in crisis at Jewell
house as well as providing counselling in a safe secure environment. (YMCA) (08) 9325 8488

Perth Inner City Youth Service: Seeks to enhance young people's sense of belonging; by
working within and creating links with the wider community. Services include medium to
long-term accommodation; family mediation and informal counselling for youth aged 16-25
years. Ph: (08) 9388 2792

StandByMe Youth Service (SBMYS): Youth Centre located in Altone Park, Beechboro. SBMYS
offer informal counselling and advocacy to young people (11 – 25yrs) in need as well as
referrals of young people to services that can provide them with additional help. SBMYS can
provide information about a wide variety of issues that young people face.
Ph: (08) 9377 4022

Youth Focus: Youth Focus provides a friendly, confidential and professional service for young
people who are in need of counselling and support. This free service is aimed at supporting
young people and their families to overcome the issues associated with suicide, depression
and self-harm.
Office locations: Perth; Albany; Bunbury; Collie; Kwinana; Mandurah; Rockingham
For all offices contact: (08) 6266 4333

Gay & Lesbian Community Services of WA, Inc.: The counselling and information line allows
people to explore their sexuality and gender as it relates to them, without judgement or
prejudice. Available week nights from 7pm – 10pm, contact (08) 9420 7201

Freedom Centre/WA Aids Council: Freedom Centre supports young people (under 26) to be
happy and healthy about their sexuality and gender. They provide LGBTI friendly counselling,
peer support, education and sexual health testing. Contact (08) 9482 0000

Mental Illness Fellowship of WA – Early Intervention Recovery Program: The EIRP is for
people aged 18-35 years, who have been diagnosed with early episode psychosis. The six-
month program aims to support them to re-establish or maintain social, employment and
educational networks. Rehabilitation, independent living skills and recreation are all
addressed. Contact: (08) 9227 7751

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 Step 1 youth services: a street-based outreach and intensive support service, assisting 12 -
18 year old 'at risk' homeless and street-present young people in the Perth Inner City area.
Ph: 9325 7033

Passages Resource Centres: offers a referral service for homeless or street present young
people between the ages of 12 and 25
Perth: 22 Palmerston St, Northbridge (ph: 9228 4178)
Mandurah: 20 Davey St, Mandurah (ph: 9583 5160)

Nyoongar Patrol Outreach Service: a community based service that deals with social and
welfare issues to provide early street-level interventions to local and remote Indigenous
people frequenting public spaces in nominated locations. The target groups are people at
risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system due to various social and welfare
issues. After 9.00pm, the Patrol’s focus is assisting young people who are likely to come into
contact with the criminal justice system or frequenting night precincts unsupervised.

Anglicare WA – a range of services offered state-wide:

http://www.anglicarewa.org.au

Uniting Care West – a range of services available state-wide:

http://www.unitingcarewest.org.au

Yorgum - Yorgum provides an alternative and cultural approach to healing Aboriginal people
who have been affected by family violence, sexual abuse and the underlying causes
associated. The service operates metropolitan wide and works in a manner that is holistic
and within the Aboriginal Terms of Reference. The Yorgum Clinical Supervisor (Psychologist)
and Counselors work with children and adults on an individual basis and as a family unit:
9221 0487

Regional Youth services: a range of youth mental health services are provided in regional
areas, including by local shires. For further information, contact your local Shire, or
download the Youth Services Directory, published by the Australian Medical Association
(WA):
http://www.amawa.com.au/Portals/0/docs/YFD/2012%20May%20AMA%20Youth%20Servic
es%20Directory.pdf

This document and further information on mental health services and supports in Western
Australia are available at Mental Health Commission’s website www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au