Adelaide PHN commissions a wide range of primary mental health care services and activities across the metropolitan Adelaide region.
Services are commissioned in alignment with a Stepped Care Model; facilitating the provision of care across the continuum from early intervention, to mild, moderate, or chronic/complex related care. This includes services for children, young people, parents, adults and older people.
Sonder and Links to Wellbeing - are the two major primary mental health commissioned providers. Sonder provides services across the continuum in the northern and central-western areas of Adelaide, and Links to Wellbeing in the southern and central areas. Additionally Adelaide PHN commission a range of other experienced primary mental health care providers to deliver more specialised mental health services. These include services specifically targeting Aboriginal people, individuals from CALD backgrounds, mothers in the perinatal period, young people with comorbid presentations, children, or people with more complex presentations.
Adelaide PHN also works to supports a range of capacity building and integration activities both within and outside the primary mental health care space. For instance, HealthPathways South Australia provides a suite of mental health clinical pathways, along with comprehensive state wide referral information for use during consultation by GPs and other health professionals.
Referrals to our Primary Mental Health Care Services
Referral to our primary mental health care services are supported by our Central Referral Unit. This unit consists of both administrative and clinical functions, receiving and clinically triaging all referrals from the region and providing timely allocation of referrals to the most appropriate step of care and provider. This unit operates 9:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
- Referrals preferred via Secure Messaging (ReferralNet or Argus)
ReferralNet Name Central Referral Unit
URN refnet:CRU
- Referrals via fax
Please note, Adelaide PHN is currently phasing out fax referals to the CRU. Providers can contact the mental health enquiry phone line for more information. For support setting up practice software to enable secure messaging, please contact our digital health officers digitalhealthinfo@adelaidephn.com.au
- Mental Health Enquiry Phone Line 1300 898 213
providing information to referrers, community members and providers regarding local services
A summary of our Primary Mental Health Care services
is available via our Primary Mental Health Care brochure
Scroll through our range of commissioned Primary Mental Health Services
or explore all of our programs via our directory of programs and services page
Walk In After Hours Mental Health Services
Adelaide PHN commissions two Walk In After Hours Mental Health Services across the metropolitan region to provide assessment, support & referral services for adults (16yrs+) experiencing mental health challenges. The northern service operates from Sonder’s Edinburgh North premises, the southern service from the Noarlunga GP Plus Super Clinic. Both services support a step up to the care available from after hours online or phone based services, provide an alternative to hospital presentation, & are staffed by mental health clinicians & peer support workers. See referral section for details.headspace Centres - primary mental health services for young people
headspace Centres provide free early intervention focussed mental health services for young people aged 12-25 years. Adelaide PHN has commissioned centres across the Adelaide region in Edinburgh North, Onkaparinga, Adelaide, and Port Adelaide. These services are delivered by multiple providers and make up part of a suite of Adelaide PHN’s commissioned and specialised primary mental healthcare services.GP Psychiatry Support Line
This support line provides GPs with direct and timely phone access to a psychiatrist, to seek advice on diagnosis, investigations, medications and safety plans. The service is not about triaging or referring patients to a psychiatrist, but rather keeping people whose mental health conditions or challenges are able to be treated within primary care under the care of their GP. Adelaide PHN funds free access for local GPs to build workforce capacity and increase collaboration. The service operates Mon-Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm. Adelaide metropolitan GPs can register online or by calling 1800 161 718.Central Referral Unit for Primary Mental Health Services – Supporting Referrals via Secure Messaging & the Mental Health Enquiry Line
Providing a centralised decision making and processing function, this unit provides information, clinical triage, allocation and referral to support access to primary mental health services across Adelaide. The unit receives & allocates referrals from providers to the appropriate step of care and service provider - referrals preferred via secure messaging as faxed referrals are being phased out. This unit also supports the Mental Health Enquiry Line which offers referral information to community and health professionals regarding local services.headspace Early Psychosis Program (previously known as hYEPP (headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program))
The headspace Early Psychosis Program provides early intervention, responsive, and recovery focused care for young people who are at high risk of or are experiencing a first episode of psychosis. This program follows the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) model of care. hYEPP is delivered by Sonder across the Adelaide region as part of a suite of specialised primary mental health services commissioned by Adelaide PHN.Calm Kids Central - a mental health service for children & parents
Calm Kids Central provides low intensity support for children & parents to help build positive mental health skills & strategies. Delivered by Developing Minds, the program provides support from child psychologists & access to specialised online resources to help children with ‘big feelings’, social emotional challenges & tough life circumstances feel calm, confident & co-operative. Adelaide PHN commissions this program as part of a suite of primary mental health care services in alignment with the Stepped Care Model.Lived Experience Telephone Support Service (LETSS) – peer mental health support line
LETSS is an after hours telephone service designed to provide non-clinical mental health information and support people with mental health challenges, as well as their carers, family and friends to navigate the mental health system in the Adelaide metropolitan region area. The service is delivered by experienced peer workers between the hours of 5:00pm to 11:30pm, 365 days a year and focuses on engagement and an empathetic consumer experience. Access the service via free-call number (1800 013 755) or web-chat via the program website.Northern Connect - support service for people experiencing co-morbid mental health & AOD problems
This program provides therapeutic counselling, care coordination and support to address the dual needs of those aged 15 years or over who have BOTH a mental health concern and an alcohol and other drug (AOD) problem. Northern Connect is a free program and offers an integrated approach, allowing both mental health and AOD issues to be tackled together. Delivered by Sonder (along with Uniting Communities and Life Without Barriers), this program is one of a suite of AOD treatment services commissioned by Adelaide PHN within the Adelaide region.Specialised Mental Health Support - for people experiencing homelessness
Adelaide PHN commissions the Brian Burdekin Clinic to deliver psychological therapies and clinical-care coordination for those experiencing or those at risk of homelessness. This program is one of a suite of primary mental health care services commissioned by Adelaide PHN across the stepped care continuum.General Psychological Therapies - for people most in need
Adelaide PHN commissions two main providers - Sonder and Links to Wellbeing - to deliver general psychological therapies to those who face barriers to accessing other primary mental health services (e.g. Better Access) in the Adelaide region. Aligned with a stepped care model of service delivery, these services are for people with mild, moderate, and chronic/complex levels of need. Sonder deliver these services in the north and centre-west areas of Adelaide; Links to Wellbeing the south centre-east.Group CPT Therapy Support - for people who have experienced trauma
A 12 week Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) group supplemented by individual support, to treat the symptoms of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This group program teaches group members a new way of handling the distressing thoughts and feelings brought up by trauma, is provided for free, and offered across the Adelaide region. Delivered by Psychmed, this service is part of a suite of specialised primary mental health services commissioned by Adelaide PHN.Living Beyond Suicide - supporting families & individuals bereaved by suicide
The Living Beyond Suicide Service supports families and individuals who are bereaved by suicide. The service is provided for free and offers practical and emotional support - including opportunities for people to talk about their loss, home visits and telephone support. This service is delivered by AnglicareSA across the Adelaide region as part of a suite of specialised primary mental health services commissioned by Adelaide PHN.MI-DBT - a specialised mental health program for women with BPD in the perinatal period
MI-DBT is a group therapy program for women living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in the Perinatal period. MI-DBT is an adaptation of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) that aims to improve a woman’s emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and parenting skills at a critical time in an infant’s development (within the first 1001 days). Sonder and Links to Wellbeing are commissioned to deliver these groups in the North and South of Adelaide respectively, with collaboration from the Helen Mayo House and the Department of Education and Child Services (DECS).Phone Helpline & Mental Health Support - for expecting and new parents
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) run a national telephone helpline for new and expecting parents. This service is free to access. The Adelaide PHN commission PANDA to provide additional clinical care co-ordination services for clients living in the Adelaide region to assist with emerging or established mental health concerns in the perinatal period.Specialised Mental Health Support - for Aboriginal people
Adelaide PHN commissions Nunkuwarrin Yunti to deliver mental health services for Aboriginal people across the Adelaide region. Nunkuwarrin Yunti provides treatment across the severity spectrum (from mild through to more complex conditions). The ACT Centre is also funded by the PHN and provides a clinical therapy service for clients with more complex conditions. This service is embedded within the Aboriginal Community Connect service. A ‘one-stop’ service for those seeking help with drug/alcohol and other problems.Specialised Mental Health Support - for people from CALD backgrounds
Adelaide PHN commissions CASSA (Community Access and Services SA) to deliver clinical-care coordination for those from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds. This program offers a team of dedicated and specialised bi-lingual and bi-cultural workers from diverse cultural backgrounds. This program is one of a suite of primary mental health care services commissioned by Adelaide PHN across the stepped care continuum.Suicide Prevention Service - supporting those impacted by suicide
Short term support for individuals and families who have experienced a suicide attempt or strong suicidal ideations. The service is provided for free and offers intensive support for 3 months, helping people to develop strategies to prevent further suicide attempts. This service is delivered by AnglicareSA across the Adelaide region as part of a suite of specialised primary mental health services commissioned by Adelaide PHN.The Gender Wellbeing Service - therapies & peer support
Psychological therapies and peer support for people experiencing gender dysphoria or gender identity concerns. The service provides non-crisis confidential counselling for Trans and Gender Diverse people who are 12 years old and over, and a peer support worker to provide short term, goal orientated support tailored to individual need. Delivered by SHine SA this service is one of a suite of specialised primary mental health services commissioned by Adelaide PHN.SIPS - a structured intervention program for those who have attempted suicide
A structured, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) informed and client-centred intervention for people who have had a recent suicide attempt. The Structured Intervention Program (SIPS) takes a collaborative approach to therapy, is designed to run alongside existing mental health treatment, and provides psychologists to help individuals to understand their suicidal crisis, identify triggers, and establish a safety plan. Delivered by Psychmed, this service is part of a suite of specialised primary mental health services commissioned by Adelaide PHN.Walking Together Wellbeing Program - AOD treatment service for Aboriginal people
This program provides comprehensive and culturally appropriate alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services for Aboriginal people in metropolitan Adelaide. Operating within a culturally based health, social and emotional wellbeing service , the program offers case management, care planning and coordination, brief intervention, narrative therapy, group therapy, post rehabilitation support and relapse prevention. The program can address complex AOD issues, including those with mental health co-morbidity.Integrated Practice Unit - Complex Youth Mental Health Services
Services for young people (16-25yrs) experiencing/or at risk of experiencing severe/complex mental illness in the outer southern or northern metro regions. This includes Sonder’s emerge Program as well as smaller complimentary services in Port Adelaide and CBD areas. This service is specifically designed to support young people who fit the above description, are deemed too complex for other primary services (inc. headspace), and who do not meet the criteria for state-based tertiary mental health services. Adelaide PHN commissions the IPU as part of a suite of mental health services.© 2018 Adelaide PHN