• pdf Listing of Commissioned Services (532 KB)
  This is a comprehensive listing of some of the services commissioned by CESPHN
• pdf Stepped Care Mental Health document (429 KB)
  This depicts CESPHN’s commissioned services in the context of the Stepped Care Model
• pdf Stepped Care Model and Principles (644 KB)
  Stepped Care means services are focused on a person’s choice as well as matched to the individual’s needs and recovery goals. This document provides an overview of the model and principles.

As part of CESPHN's contractual obligations with the Department of Health we are required to publish a range of plans and reports which demonstrate how we are supporting the implementation of the government's primary health care reform activities and managing the associated funding.

Below are links to a number of documents that demonstrate how we are meeting these obligations.

• pdf National Psychosocial Support Activity Work Plan 2019 2021 (207 KB)
• pdf Mental Health Activity Work Plan 2019-2022 (603 KB)

People with co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use are a priority in the CESPHN region, and can experience barriers to effective service provision. 

Comorbidity Guidelines

The Comorbidity Guidelines website provides evidence-based information, training and resources to assist with the management of co-occurring, substance use and mental health conditions.

This website and online training program was developed by The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use.

• Comorbidity Guidelines: Free online training is available here 
• Comorbidity Guidelines: Order a free hard copy here

Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Resource Package 

A resource package of online and telephone resources and online training has been developed to assist in providing effective support to clients with mental health and drug and alcohol conditions. 

Resources provided by SESLHD Drug and Alcohol Services Comorbidity Clinical Pathways Project, funded by the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network. 

Click here for more information. 

Current Practices and support needs of healthcare providers in CESPHN in relation to addressing patients co-occurring mental health and alcohol and other drug issues

CESPHN funded the Matilda Centre to undertake a scoping exercise to evaluate the practices and support needs of healthcare providers in the CESPHN who work with people with co-occurring mental health and AOD issues. 

• The full final report is here.
• A two-page bulletin summarising the report and recommendations is available here.

Mental Health and AOD Action Plan

CESPHN convened a working party to develop local solutions to increasing the capacity of the workforce to respond effectively to people with co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use. 

 pdfMental Health & AOD Action Plan PDF (486 KB)

 pdfMental Health & AOD Poster (170 KB)

Click here to read more. 

• K10 assessment form
  K10 is widely recommended as a simple measure of psychological distress and as a measure of outcomes following treatment for common mental health disorders.
• National Guidance Initial and Assessment Referral for mental healthcare
  This Guidance has been developed by the Australian Department of Health to provide advice to Primary Health Networks (PHNs) on establishing effective systems for the initial assessment and referral of individuals presenting with mental health conditions in primary health care settings.
• Suicide prevention – Safety Plan
  Assists health professionals or support person and individuals to work together in planning out safety procedures during tough times.
• YES Survey
  Designed to gather information from consumers about their experiences of care.

• Alcohol and Other Drug Language Guide
  The purpose of this resource is to provide workers with guidelines on how to use language to empower clients and reinforce a person-centred approach.
• Recovery-Oriented Language Guide
  This Mental Health Recovery Oriented Language Guide aims primarily to align with trauma-informed care and practice language approaches, introduce age-related language use and promote the use of supported decision-making language.
• Talking about Suicide: A Guide To Language
  Suicide Prevention Australia Guide to promote a positive shift in the terminology used to discuss suicide
• Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusion Language Guide
  The guide explains key terms and offers examples of language that can help us build safer, more inclusive environments for trans and gender diverse communities.
• Demonstrating Inclusive and respective language guide
  Given the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities across Australia, you should always seek advice from your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders regarding preferences and protocols around terminology. Please consider these guidelines, alongside guidance from your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.

• eMHPrac
  This directory provides a useful overview of various Australian online and teleweb programs
• Head To Health
  Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.
• Additional Mental Health Referral Pathways in the CESPHN region

• Youth Mental health referral guide
  Provides an overview of youth friendly mental health services
• InnerWest consortium document

What can you do for your client's wellbeing while they are waiting for their first specialist mental health appointment?

What can you do actively to manage their wellbeing and help them prepare for their first appointment? 

The “While You Wait” suite of resources has been co-designed to help GPs actively manage their client’s wellbeing while they wait for their first specialist mental health appointment.

The resource suite includes:

This best practice guide has been developed to ensure that primary mental health services have the tools and information to effectively respond to demand.
This guide aims to:

1.  Provide service providers with practical and implementable strategies for responding to demand and best practice management of waitlists.
2. Improve access to timely and appropriate care and support for individuals seeking mental health services.
3. Promote and support improved use of resources available across the Central and Eastern Sydney mental health sector.

Use the guide at your workplace now: pdf Active Waitlist Management Guide (427 KB)