Mental Health

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 

Brisbane North PHN offers online and in-clinic training sessions to support general practitioners and GP Registrars to use the IAR-DST. Participating GPs will receive a $300 incentive payment and can claim 2 hours of CPD through both RACGP and ACRRM. 

To participate in an online training session please register here. 

To arrange an in-clinic training session please email iar@brisbanenorthphn.org.au with your clinic details and preferred dates. 

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 complete a referral into Brisbane North PHN commissioned mental health, alcohol and other drug and suicide prevention services via the My Mental Health Services eReferral. 

The My Mental Health Services eReferral is a single electronic form which can be used to refer into all commissioned services. The information provided in the referral form will be used to select a service matched to the consumers presenting needs. The eReferral will securely transmit the information directly to the service provider.

The My Mental Health Services eReferral is available online or installed into general practice software via the rediCASE GP Integrator. For further information about these referral options, please visit the My Mental Health website or contact the Brisbane North PHN Mental Health team by email MHAOD@brisbanenorthphn.org.au

Further information regarding mental health support and services including suicide, please visit the Brisbane North PHN or My Mental Health websites.

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