Mental Health

Brisbane North PHN works with local communities, consumers, carers, health professionals, hospitals and community mental health providers to design local solutions to meet local needs,

Medicare Mental Health

Medicare Mental Health can connect people with mental health services in the Brisbane North and Moreton Bay region and is the preferred gateway for accessing Brisbane North PHN‑commissioned mental health services.

Medicare Mental Health phone line 1800 595 212 can be accessed by consumers, their families, carers, as well as GPs, service providers and other health professionals.

The Medicare Mental Health phone line will operate 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Services incur no out-of-pocket cost. To make a referral to Medicare Mental Health for service navigation support, you can:

Call 1800 595 212
Submit a secure eReferral using the HealthLink SmartForm, embedded in GP or via the online eReferral form.

GP Psychiatry Support Line

By calling 1800 16 17 18, GPs are connected directly with psychiatrists who can offer their expert advice regarding the mental health needs of your patients.

GPs may call the free service to discuss:

Medication Advice
Diagnostic Clarification
Risk & Safety
Management Planning
General Professional Counsel

Initial Assessment and Referral Decisions Support Tool (IAR-DST)

The IAR-DST is a standardised, evidence-based and nationally consistent approach to mental health care recommendations. It provides a framework for clinicians to conduct a patient-centred and holistic assessment, and documents clinical decision-making by collecting all necessary referral information using a common language across the sector.

IAR-DST benefits

Using this support tool will help improve the efficiency of mental health referrals by streamlining the reporting of relevant information. The IAR-DST is progressively being rolled out nation-wide across federal and state mental health services. Widespread uptake of the IAR means there will be consistency in the approach to assessment, referrals and service provision across the sector.

The IAR tool supports the stepped care approach to service delivery, which helps match people to the most appropriate services for their unique mental health needs. This approach also allows people to move easily between local services as their support needs change.

IAR-DST training

Training in use of the tool is available nationally online. Participating GPs and registrars can claim 2 hours of CPD through both RACGP and ACRRM. All mental health refers will receive a certificate of completion that they may use for their own CPD requirements.

To participate in an online training session please register here. 

Brisbane MIND and BrisbaneMIND4KiDS

Brisbane MIND delivers short-term psychological therapies for people with moderate mental illness from specific population groups and those at risk of suicide. Brisbane North PHN’s Brisbane MIND program improves access to quality primary mental healthcare for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities across our region.

Brisbane MIND delivers short-term psychological therapies for people with moderate mental illness from specific population groups and those at risk of suicide.

To be eligible, people must demonstrate financial hardship and experience barriers to accessing Medicare Benefits Schedule-based psychological intervention.

GPs, psychiatrists, clinical nurses acute care team and paediatricians are able to refer into the Brisbane MIND and Brisbane MIND4KiDs programs.

NOTE: The referring GP must practice in the Brisbane North PHN region as a general rule, however we will accept some referrals from GPs outside the region as long as the client resides in the region.

How to refer a patient

GPs and other health professionals can submit referrals using the HealthLink SmartForm eReferral directly from their practice software to the Medicare Mental Health phone service for Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR), supporting timely connection to appropriate mental health, alcohol and other drug, and suicide prevention services across Brisbane North PHN.

The HealthLink SmartForm eReferral provides a simple, secure and trackable way to submit referrals electronically. Embedded within general practice software, HealthLink SmartForms reduce paperwork and administrative follow‑up while enabling referrals to be sent directly to the Medicare Mental Health phone service. Based on the IAR Level of Care, demographics, consumer preference and eligibility, Medicare Mental Health phone service may direct those referred to PHN‑commissioned services or other suitable providers. Receive instant confirmation and track referral progress directly in your clinical software—no follow-up phone calls or chasing referrals.

Watch the tutorial videos:

Direct referral

Health professionals may also refer directly to Brisbane North PHN commissioned services using the online PHN eReferral form available here.

Further information

For more information about mental health referral pathways and services, please visit the Brisbane North PHN website or contact us via our online contact form (select HealthLink SmartForm eReferral).

Mental health and suicide prevention education opportunities are available via our clinical education page.

Referral support for GPs