Connect Health & Community and FMC Mediation and Counselling Victoria have been awarded tenders by SEMPHN to deliver new Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) services in Bayside and Cardinia respectively.

Bayside and Cardinia were the two remaining South Eastern Melbourne PHN local government areas to have successful tenders awarded, with API services commencing in the eight other SEMPHN LGAs in November last year.

Developed in line with mental health reform across Australia and SEMPHN’s Mental Health Stepped Care Model, APIs:

• are flexible services to support people with mild to moderate mental illness
• include a range of short term psychological interventions
• are for people who have a health care card or can’t afford/access similar services
• are especially designed for people from hard-to-reach population groups
• can be delivered in individual, family or group formats.

API services in Bayside and Cardinia will start from 1 February, with referrals received via SEMPHN's Mental Health Intake.

More information and referral forms can be found here.

An open tender process was used to commission the services, which are funded until mid-2019.

Wondering what Stepped Care means? Confused about mental health reform and new services?

Check out our 3-minute video that explains SEMPHN's Mental Health Stepped Care Model.

Since 1 November last year, all referrals for SEMPHN-funded mental health services are made through SEMPHN Mental Health Intake (ph: 1800 862 363).

This is a a central phone and fax line that links people with primary mental health services, including referrals into the new API and MHICC services (see below) and the existing Partners in Recovery (PiR) service.

• Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) – flexible psychological services for people with mild-moderate mental illness. Replacing Access To Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS). 

• Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) – flexible support and clinical services for people with severe-complex mental illness. Replacing Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP).

The new services are for people with health care cards or who can’t afford/access similar services and especially designed for people from hard-to-reach population groups.

For more information about referring to the new services, call SEMPHN Mental Health Intake on 1800 862 363 during business hours or visit here.