Clinical services

APMHA provides Psychological Therapy Services (PTS) to support the mental health needs of people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs).

We have fondly name this program “Older Minds”. The service ensures residents of partnering RACFs have access to free mental health therapeutic support provided ‘in place’ at their facility. Older Minds is delivered by Psychologists, Mental Health Social Workers, Credentialed Mental Health Nurses, Mental Health Occupational Therapists and Generalist Counsellors.

About North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network

About Murray Primary Health Network 

About the service

The service is for residents who are experiencing (or at risk of) mild to moderate mental health concerns and psychological distress. This may include residents who:

  • require support adjusting to life transitioning into residential aged care.
  • experience grief, depression, anxiety, phobia or other mild to moderate conditions.
  • live with pre-existing mental health conditions that do not require ongoing or intensive support through psychogeriatric mental health services.
  • This service also provides mental health induction training for aged care facility staff to enable timely identification of psychological distress in residents and appropriate, timely referral.
  • Must be within the funded catchment outline below.

Areas where Older Minds is available

Please note: Residential aged care facilities wishing to engage in this service must have an established  service agreement with APMHA before referrals can commence.

North Western Melbourne PHN (Western Region) areas include the local government areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Melton, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, Wyndham, and Moorabool (Bacchus Marsh part).

Murray PHN (Goulburn Valley & North East Region) area includes the local government areas  of: Goulburn Valley, Strathbogie, Benalla, Wangaratta, Alpine, Indigo.

How do I refer?

Referrals can be made by the resident’s GP, or a registered nurse of the facility, with the consent of the resident (or their next of kin).

Referral form for NWMPHN Referral form for Murray PHN

These can then be securely faxed to APMHA’s Older Minds Team on: 03 9376 0317

Alternatively, the APMHA Older Minds clinician allocated to your facility is happy to work with your staff to identify residents who may benefit from this service and complete the registration process each time they visit.

Contact the Older Minds team today

P: 1300 514 811 ext. 2
F: 03 9376 0317
E: olderminds@apmha.com.au

More information

Our Clinicians

Kerry Coyle

profile photo
Mental Health Clinician - MurrayPHN Region

Kerry is a registered nurse with 40 years experience working in the mental health sector for the past 20 years. Kerry has worked in a variety of diverse roles including; case management and coordination of complex clients, working within crisis assessment teams, management roles in recovery rehabilitation services, counselling roles at Headspace and providing clinical service provision and working closely with GP’s within the primary mental health area. Her work within primary care began with working in Division’s of GP’s in Wangaratta and Wodonga, Medicare Locals.

Margaret Lingard

profile photo
Mental Health Clinician

Marg has practiced as a registered general and Credentialled Mental Health Nurse for over 25 years. Marg has worked in a variety of roles including: Acute Inpatient units in Victoria and Queensland, Community Mental Health in Case Management, Acute Response Teams and Triage. Marg has a keen interest in Meditation and Mindfulness and how these practices benefit mental health and recovery by empowering clients with a sense of internal strength, resilience and peace.

Paul Darley

profile photo
Mental Health Clinician - NWMPHN Region

Paul Darley is a Social Worker in APMHA's Older Minds Mental Health Service in North West Melbourne. Paul has over 15 years of experience working in community mental health and homelessness in the psychosocial recovery space including mentoring and coaching staff and has specific interests in vulnerable minority communities. Paul is a proud member of the LGBTIQA+ community and is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker.

Georgia Rizzoli

profile photo
Mental Health Clinician - NWMPHN Region

Georgia holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from RMIT and a Graduate Certificate in Youth Mental Health from the University of Melbourne. She is currently pursuing her Mental Health Accreditation. Georgia’s practice background includes various roles that include supporting adults with complex mental health needs through case management, psychosocial support, counselling and hospital discharge planning, both in Australia and the UK. Additionally, she has delivered counselling to young people in school settings, using evidence-informed approaches to promote resilience and emotional well-being.

Sharyn Amos

profile photo
Credentialled Mental Health Nurse - NWMPHN Region

Sharyn is an experienced Credentialed Mental Health Nurse working in our NWMPHN Region supporting Residential Aged Care clients in APMHA's Older Minds Service. Sharyn has extensive experience working in various AOD and mental health services both in metro, rural and remote areas.

Back to all Clinical services
apmha logo flags

APMHA acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of all the lands on which we as APMHA work and acknowledge all elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that First Nations sovereignty was never ceded and this continent always was and always will be First Nations land. We deeply acknowledge and value the strength, resilience, and insight of our clients and staff with lived and living experience. Their unique perspectives are integral to shaping our approach and ensuring that our services remain compassionate, effective, and truly supportive of those we serve.

Get in touch

APMHA Healthcare Ltd. 3A Nixon Street Shepparton 3631
Call us: 1300 514 811 | Fax: 03 9376 0317

quality logo

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.

Skip to content