Clinical Services
Join APMHA
Bushfire Support
Consumers & Carers
Positive Workplace Program
COVID-19 Update
APMHA’s Board and Executive Staff have been closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19. As a result, we have begun enacting our business continuity plan due to the increased likelihood that our providers and our patients will be directly impacted by COVID-19. Our aim is to minimise infection / transmission of COVID-19 whilst ensuring the continuation of much needed mental health services. As a Company who has established their work systems to be virtual, we are confident that we will be able to continue to operate with minimal disruption, albeit – through different modalities.
Our contingency plan will take full effect at 9am Wednesday 18th March, will affects how referrals are to occur for people requiring counselling.
Current APMHA providers and GP Clinics have been sent direct correspondence regarding this, however the key thing to consider are:
- APMHA will restrict / confine the 1300 514 811 number purely for Bushfire Counselling calls only.
- GPs will not be required to phone APMHA to facilitate referral of a client. Instead, we will require the fully completed MHTP (including mental state, risk and consent) to be securely faxed / emailed directly to our intake and allocations team.
Please send referrals via Secure fax 03 9376 0317 or secure email to referrals@apmhahealthcare.com.au
- GPs will be asked to provide each referred patient a copy of the APMHA Telehealth Counselling – FAQs and please outline to the patient that there is a high potential that face to face counselling may not be available under the current circumstances.
- GPs should be mindful that there is still an 8-10 week waiting period for patients (other than bushfire impacted / affected patients).
- For GPs requiring urgent consultations / secondary advise – please contact us via the number provided to you in earlier correspondence.
- Patients will be SMS’d by our intake team on receipt of the referral and informed of any waiting period and waiting support plan (as they do currently)
- APMHA is instigating a provisional referral pathway for patients impacted by COVID-19. For patients who are fearful to attend the GP practice, or are in self-isolation / quarantine, please see the provisional pathway provided to you in earlier correspondence.
Other Helpful links
APMHA’s Consumer Flyer
National
Victoria
- Victorian State Government Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 hub
- Victorian Government Health services and general practice – coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
New South Wales
- NSW State Government Department of Health COVID-19 hub
- NSW Government Advice for people suspected to have COVID-19 (Coronavirus) infection
- NSW Government COVID-19: Updated advice for health professionals
APMHA HealthCare Ltd (APMHA) was established as a Not For Profit company in July 2019. APMHA provides intake, triage, allocations and clinical mental health services to a variety of funders through nominated program streams across Australia. Our multi-disciplinary workforce has a broad range of specialties, providing a variety of referral options for general practice based on client needs.
APMHA HealthCare Ltd is Accredited under the following standards: AS/NZS ISO-9001-2016, National Standards for Mental Health Services – 2010 and is a NDIS Registered Provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Connect with us
What can healthcare staff do to protect their mental health while working through COVID-19?
What can healthcare staff do to prevent PTSD during the pandemic?
Medical News Today spoke to experts about the risk of PTSD among healthcare staff, the symptoms to look out for, and tools for coping.
ow.ly
The New Normal??
The statement we hear often at the moment is "This is our new normal". This may be so, but just because it is real, it does not mean we will adjust quickly to whatever a 'new normal' is supposed to look like. It is ok to feel out of sorts, flat, irritable, insecure and unsure.
Similarly, it is ok for our family members and colleagues to feel this too. This "New Normal" is all a very big adjustment for everyone, no matter how strong you normally are. My advice is to just allow it to be an adjustment that will take time for your life to grow within. This is a space that we need to become accustomed to and understand what will help us and not help us. We are all learning right now. It is absolutely normal and ok, in fact encouraged to reach out for help or someone to talk to.
There are many amazing resources available to help reflect and support us all. These come in the form of smart phone apps, websites links, phone access lines and counselling services.
Counselling is currently readily available via various means. Please speak with your GP to get some assistance and understand your options.
From all th APMHA team, please stay safe and reach out if UR not Ok
The New Normal??
The statement we hear often at the moment is "This is our new normal". This may be so, but just because it is real, it does not mean we will adjust quickly to whatever a 'new normal' is supposed to look like.
It is ok to feel out of sorts, flat, irritable, insecure and unsure.
Similarly, it is ok for our family members and colleagues to feel this too.
This "New Normal" is all a very big adjustment for everyone, no matter how strong you normally are.
Our advice is to just allow it to be an adjustment that will take time for your life to grow within. This is a space that we need to become accustomed to and understand what will help us and not help us.
We are all learning right now. It is absolutely normal and ok, in fact encouraged to reach out for help or someone to talk to.
There are many amazing resources available to help reflect and support us all. These come in the form of smart phone apps, websites links, phone access lines and counselling services.
From all of us at APMHA, please stay safe and stay connected with friends and family!
An accessible primary mental health service working in collaboration to support people with a mental illness to reclaim wellbeing and live a contributing life
