Central Coast

Mental Health & Suicide After Care

Providing high quality Mental Health & Suicide Prevention programs to the local community.

Programs we deliver

  • The program provides eligible residents access to free psychological therapy, also known as counselling or talk therapy. Our team is committed to providing professional, sensitive, evidence-based mental health care to strengthen your mental health and well-being.

    > Learn More

  • The Way Back Support Service provides support and connection following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

    > Learn More

  • Sometimes when you are experiencing serious mental illness you receive mental health support from the hospital. As you start to feel a little better, and no longer need to be seen by the hospital, it is important to make sure that you have the support you need close to home.

    The Transitional Care Program can help. Our Mental Health Nurse will connect you with services that you need so you don’t have to go back to hospital.

    > Learn More

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy involving skills training, that is provided in a group setting.

    > Learn More

  • Art therapy is life enhancing for people of all ages and all walks of life. It is a unique creative process where art-making and psychotherapy combine to aid individual growth and awareness.

    > Learn More

Art Therapy - Group & I:1 Sessions

Art therapy is life enhancing for people of all ages and all walks of life. It is a unique creative process where art-making and psychotherapy combine to aid individual growth and awareness.

  • Art Therapy is a supportive experience, the content of the sessions, as well as the artwork, is kept safe and confidential.

    You do not need to be skilled in art to benefit from therapy. By engaging in the non-verbal process, you can discover new insights and self-understanding, supported by the art therapist who guides you through the process.

  • CENTRAL COAST:
    Art Therapist, Louise Parker

    PORT MACQUARIE:
    Art Therapist, Rachel Wren

  • CENTRAL COAST

    Group Sessions: Wednesdays 9:30am - 12:30pm at the CCPC office - 167B The Entrance, Erina NSW 2250

    1:1 Sessions: Contact us to book your time.

    PORT MACQUARIE

    1:1 Sessions: Contact us to book your time.

Transitional Care

Sometimes when you are experiencing serious mental illness you receive mental health support from the hospital. As you start to feel a little better, and no longer need to be seen by the hospital, it is important to make sure that you have the support you need close to home. The Transitional Care Program can help.

Our Mental Health Nurse will connect you with services that you need so you don’t have to go back to hospital and work with you for up to 12 weeks so that you can stay happy and healthy at home.

  • • Improve mental and overall health.

    • Keep people home and out of hospital.

    • Provides links to health services in the community.

  • Transitional Care can help you get the right help in the community so you don’t have to go back to hospital.

    Transitional Care is free

    Transitional Care can help you get support from other services.

    making sure you have a regular GP and

    psychologist

    help to quit drugs or alcohol

    making sure there are different social and community groups you can connect with helping you to connect with family and other services that might support you to stay well.

  • Support Coordinators work in partnership with Central Coast Mental Health Service staff to provide 12 weeks of support following discharge from the mental health service.

  • Our Mental Health Nurse can see you in a range of settings, such as:

    • At home

    • In the Community

    • Inpatient mental health units.

  • Referral will need to come from the Central Coast Local Health District - Mental Health Service

In-Reach Program

Mental Health Support for Aged Care Residents

The program provides eligible residents access to free psychological therapy, also known as counselling or talk therapy. Our team is committed to providing professional, sensitive, evidence-based mental health care to strengthen your mental health and well-being.

  • The In-Reach Psychological therapy program provides residents experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns with free one-on-one counselling sessions.

  • The In-Reach program is for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns. If you are referred and wish to participate, one of our kind, caring, skilled mental health therapists will come to see you at the residential aged care facility.

  • The mental health therapist can see you up to 12 times over the next year free of charge. This is an optional support service; you can cease at any time.

    The mental health therapist can also speak with your nominated caring family member or friend with your permission. The mental health therapist will update the facility manager, your GP, or the appropriate person at the facility.

    • A resident of an aged care facility or transitioning to a RACF.

    • The person has a diagnosed mental illness.

    • The illness is mild to moderate.

  • This program requires a GP referral or residential aged care facility.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy - DBT Group

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy involving skills training, that is provided in a group setting.

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy involving skills training, that is provided in a group setting. DBT was originally developed in the 1980s by Dr Marsha Linehan, at the University of Washington in The United States of America. Although initially intended to help chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since been adapted for and used to effectively treat several other psychological problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety. The goal of treatment with DBT is to help people create “a life worth living".

  • DBT group programs involve attending a weekly skills training group where you will be taught specific skills designed to help improve your life in four major areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.

  • Our DBT groups run for 12 weeks:

    • Monday’s: 5pm - 7:15pm at 167b The Entrance Road, Erina

    • Wednesday’s: 9:30am - 11:45am at 167b The Entrance Road, Erina

  • To access the DBT group at Coast & Country Primary Care you will need a current Mental Health Care Plan and referral from your GP or other health professional.

  • Once your referral is received you will be contacted by phone and if a place is available in a group, you will be invited to attend a Pre-Group Meeting and Orientation, lasting for approximately 1 hour.

    The purpose of this meeting is to make sure that you will benefit from the program and that DBT is right for you. It is also to ensure that you understand DBT and the program expectations and rules and that you are consenting to attend.

    If a place is not available in group at the time of referral you will be placed on our DBT group waiting list.

Way Back Support Service

The Way Back Support Service provides support and connection following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

  • • Support in developing a safety plan.

    • Provide strategies to encourage the person to self-manage distress.

    • Improve links with clinical and community-based services.

    • Support the person in building social connections.

  • Support Coordinators work in partnership with Central Coast Mental Health Service staff to provide 12 weeks of support following discharge from the mental health service.

  • Clients are usually seen at the CCPC Erina office or a place mutually suitable for the client and support coordinator. Support can also be via telehealth. Contact is usually twice a week.

  • A suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

  • The Way Back Support Service program requires a referral directly from the Central Coast Mental Health Service at the hospital.

For Health Professionals Only

The following programs require a GP referral.

  • In-Reach program

  • Clinical Care Coordination program

Health Professionals submitting referrals into the portal.

Referrals are submitted via the Portal via this link. The Portal is managed by Hunter Primary Care. The referral includes the initial Assessment & Referral Tool (IAR) domains to guide the level of care, timeframes, and type of service available for the person.

Read more about the Initial Assessment & Referral Tool here IAR Summary.

The Triage and Allocation Process

All referrals are reviewed and assessed within two business days.

Referrals to all PHN-funded Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Services are assessed using a Nationally consistent assessment and referral approach in unison with the stepped care framework. In addition, the client must meet the specific program eligibility criteria for the service they seek access to.

PHN-funded programs aim to facilitate equitable access and better outcomes for individuals with or at risk of developing mental disorders through offering clinical assessment and referral to evidence-based interventions within primary care or residential aged care setting.

PHN Commissioned Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Services

The PHN funds a range of primary mental health and suicide prevention services in line with a stepped-care approach, promoting person-centred care and targeting the needs of individuals. The stepped-care model ensures that individuals are matched to services that best meet their needs.

PHN-funded services are intended to support under-serviced, hard-to-reach communities who experience barriers to accessing the Medicare Better Access Initiative. 

Coast & Country Primary Care acknowledges the financial support from the Australian Government Department of Health & Aged Care & Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

What should a referral include?

The referral must include:

  • a detailed mental health treatment plan or child treatment plan

  • additional clinical information to support the referral and allocation

  • copy of the completed K10 and scores

The referral must be entered by the referrer into the purpose-built portal to accurately capture clinical information and data.

For password resets or questions about the referral process please contact the Intake Team on mhintake@hunterprimarycare.com.au or 02 4925 2259.

Please be advised this Portal is managed by Hunter Primary Care.