Mental health program
The purpose of the Mental Health Program is to provide GPs with educational opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in primary mental health care, assessment, treatment and referral.
View the Practice Guide for Mental Health developed by the Division.
Aims
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Develop and enhance linkages and shared care partnerships between GPs and other public and private mental health service providers and agencies in the community.
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Provide opportunities for GPs to enhance their mental health knowledge and skills.
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Support GPs in their care of people with mental illness in the primary care setting.
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Foster collaboration and cooperation between GPs and other mental health providers in the ACT.
Funding
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Who can help
Program Officer and Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)—Rosemary Agnew
Ph: 02 6287 8099
Fax: 02 6287 8055
Fax: 02 6287 8055
GP Program Advisor—Dr Brenda Tait
Access to allied psychological services program (ATAPS)
ATAPS enables GPs under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program to refer consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focussed psychological strategies where they are unable to access care due to barriers, including financial barriers.
Through ATAPS, patients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan are eligible for a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year with an ATAPS Psychologist. ATAPS provides patients with assistance for short-term intervention. If further sessions are required it may mean that the patient needs a longer term program to meet his/her needs.
Patients are not to be referred for treatment through Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule (Better Access) Program and ATAPS at the same time. Treatment through both Better Access and ATAPS may occur within one calendar year, provided the total number of individual or group services provided under both programs does not exceed the maximum allowable in a calendar year.
Through ATAPS, patients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan are eligible for a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year with an ATAPS Psychologist. ATAPS provides patients with assistance for short-term intervention. If further sessions are required it may mean that the patient needs a longer term program to meet his/her needs.
Patients are not to be referred for treatment through Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule (Better Access) Program and ATAPS at the same time. Treatment through both Better Access and ATAPS may occur within one calendar year, provided the total number of individual or group services provided under both programs does not exceed the maximum allowable in a calendar year.
Aims
Enable patients with a mental health condition and experiencing barriers to access psychological services.
Funding
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Who can help
Last update 18 August 2010
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