Our Access Mental Health Team is available 24 hours, 7 days per week, for people who have concerns about their own or someone else’s mental health. We provide information, make recommendations, and/or refer you for further mental health support.
About this service
Access Mental Health Line
The Access Mental Health Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can contact us on 1800 629 354 (free call).
Depending on what your mental health concern is, our team may:
- Refer you to ACT Policing or ACT Ambulance Service if there are concerns about your immediate safety
- Refer you to the Home Assessment and Acute Response Team for urgent mental health assessment and intervention
- Refer you to Access Comprehensive for short-term mental health support
- Refer you to other CHS mental health service
- Provide you with general information and advice about mental health issues and mental health support services available in the ACT – this may include suggesting that you follow up with your GP.
Access Comprehensive
Access Comprehensive provides short-term mental health support. Depending on what your mental health concern is, our team may provide the following:
- Comprehensive mental health assessment
- Psychiatric assessment
- Brief mental health intervention
- Phone calls to check on your welfare and monitor your treatment progress
- Refer you to a Community Recovery Service for long-term mental health support
- Support to access mental health services in the community.
Who we care for
Access Mental Health Line
The Access Mental Health Line is available 24/7 for people of any age who have concerns about their own mental health.
Carers, family, friends, GPs, health professionals, support providers, and other members of the public can also contact the Access Mental Health Line to seek advice about or refer someone who may be experiencing mental health issues.
Access Comprehensive
Access Comprehensive provides short-term support for people who are:
- 18 years old and older
- Experiencing mental health concerns that need further assessment and short-term intervention
- Unable to access appropriate mental health assessment and treatment through existing services in the community.
Psychiatric appointments are free if you have a Medicare Card.
How to access this service
Access Mental Health Line
You can contact the Access Mental Health Line on 1800 629 354 (free call), 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Access Comprehensive
You can only access this service if you have been referred through the Access Mental Health Line or by your GP. This service is only available between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday.
What to expect
Access Mental Health Line
We will ask you for your name, date of birth, and contact details. We need this information to be able to confirm who you are and to access information on file if you have had contact with mental health services before. This helps the team to give you advice and information that is best suited for you. However, you are welcome to remain anonymous.
We’ll ask you about your concerns and your history. Depending on what your concerns are, we will make a referral to a CHS mental health service or provide you with information and advice on other services available in the ACT. Referral to a CHS mental health service is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility and is intended for people at immediate risk of safety or experiencing moderate to severe mental illness.
If we’re worried about your immediate safety, then we will contact police or ambulance.
Access Comprehensive
We will contact you and your GP to confirm your referral has been received. We may ask for more information to help decide what type of mental health assessment and support you need.
We may:
- contact you to offer an appointment with a clinician or a medical officer
- call you regularly to check how your mental health is going
- provide you and your GP with treatment recommendations
- provide you with brief intervention and/or
- provide you with information about mental health supports available in the community.
What to bring to your appointment
- Medicare card
- Any letters or correspondence from your GP
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
- Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
Where we’re located
Access Mental Health Line
- Phone calls only
Access Comprehensive
Booked appointments only:
- Gungahlin Community Health Centre
- Belconnen Community Health Centre
- City Community Health Centre
- Phillip Community Health Centre
- Tuggeranong Community Health Centre
Information for Referrers
Access Mental Health Team is available by contacting: (02) 6205 1065 or 1800 629 354 (Free call).
Referrals may be from a GP or self-referral for mental health assistance.
