The Custodial Mental Health (CMH) team provides community equivalent mental health services to detainees in custody within the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) and to young people at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre (BYJC).
There is also a Custodial Health team for primary health care.
About this service
Custodial Mental Health operates as a public mental health service within AMC and BYJC. We provide a crisis service and clinical management and psychiatry services for people with acute or serious mental health concerns. Just as in the community, less serious or common mental health concerns like depression, anxiety and substance use are usually managed by Justice Health Primary Health GP services or Alcohol and Drug Services.
Crisis Services
The Custodial Mental Health Assertive Response Team provides crisis services which include conducting mental health screening assessments for all people when they first enter custody. We also provide emergency assessments to people presenting in crisis during their time in custody which may place them at risk of suicide or harm to themselves.
We work collaboratively with the individual, ACT Corrective Services, and other support services to ensure their safety during times of crisis and to support them to develop skills for self-management and problem-solving in custody.
Clinical Management Services
The Custodial Mental Health Clinical Management service provides psychiatric assessment and treatment, and ongoing mental health care to people in custody who are experiencing a serious or enduring mental illness. Most people who use this service will have had contact with public mental health services in the community. An important part of our role is ensuring a smooth transition of care from and to community mental health services.
Who we care for
Custodial Mental Health services are available to detainees at Alexander Maconochie Centre and young people at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. Not all people will be suitable for all services.
Our care includes:
- Mental health screening for all detainees and young people when they enter custody to help identify what level of care they need.
- Crisis assessment and intervention for detainees and young people identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm.
- Specialist mental health care and care planning for people with serious mental illness or complex mental health conditions.
How to access this service
All detainees are offered mental health screening upon entering custody. You do not need to be referred.
Referrals to the crisis service are made by ACT Corrective Services officers, Bimberi Youth Justice Centre youth workers, or other staff. If you are feeling distressed and suicidal you should speak to an officer or staff member in your area who can request the crisis service on your behalf.
Referrals to our clinical management service are made by GPs and other health professionals within the AMC or BYJC. In this case you will be contacted by us to arrange an assessment. Depending on your needs, this may be a one-off assessment to support your GP or you may be accepted for regular care and clinical management by our service.
If you are usually a client of one of our community mental health services or subject to a Psychiatric Treatment Order under the Mental Health ACT, then you will automatically be transitioned to care with our clinical management service during your time in custody.
What to expect
All people entering custody will receive a mental health assessment by our service within 24 hours of arriving. During this assessment you will be asked about your mental health history and current mental health. Following this assessment, you may be referred to a GP for follow-up care, or you may be offered further support from our crisis service or our clinical management service.
Crisis services are usually brief (1-4 sessions) and focus on safety and self-management.
Clinical management involves longer term care involving a psychiatrist and a clinical manager. You will be involved in developing a care plan for your mental health care and treatment and you may also be offered support from a psychologist or social worker.
Where we’re located
- Hume Health Centre at the Alexander Maconochie Centre
- Client Services building at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre
