The Primary Mental Health and Early Intervention Initiative

The Eastern Health Primary Mental Health and Early Intervention Initiative (PMHEIT) is part of the public mental health system, which offers a shared care model of mental health care to primary care providers. The team works across the central and outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne including the local government areas of Manningham, Monash, Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges.

Aims

The multi disciplinary Primary Mental Health team aims to support primary care providers such as General Practitioners, Community Health Services, and Psychiatric Disability Support Services with the assessment and management of patients/clients who have anxiety, depression or other related disorders which impact on their quality of life and wellbeing across the lifespan.

The aim of the Early Intervention Initiative is to enhance early recognition, and reduce the duration and/or impact of significant psychological disturbance and serious mental disorder in young people 16-25 years. The Central & Outer East Early Intervention clinicians provide a timely response, appropriate management, for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis or other serious mental illness.

The PMHEII provides specialist mental health services that offers:

• Telephone consultation
• Joint assessments, care planning, linking in and referrals to appropriate services
• Brief and short term interventions
• Assistance with navigating the mental health system
• Training and education sessions

Referrals accepted are based on the Primary Care Providers postcode within the Area Mental Health Service. Our services may be accessed by telephone or fax referral.

Referrals to the Primary Mental Health Team are only accepted from Primary Care Providers (General Practitioners, Community Health Services, and Psychiatric Disability Support). Referrals to the Early Intervention Initiative are accepted from any professional. As we offer a shared-care model of care, potential clients cannot self-refer.

Please note that the PMHEIT is not a crisis service. If a potential client exhibits significant risk to self or others, please contact your regional CATT service or Eastern Health Mental Health Triage on:
1 300 721 927.

Further enquiries during weekday office hours:

Telephone: (03) 9875-1600
Fax: (03) 9894-2854

Useful Mental Health Links