Yorke Peninsula Division of General Practice mental health service

The Yorke Peninsula Division of General Practice provides access to mental health services for the Yorke Peninsula Community. Our mental health service is funded by both the Federal and State Government through a range of mental health initiatives.

The Division has been providing mental health services to the Yorke Peninsula community since 2006. To date the Division has processed 1,672 mental health referrals, which equates to 7% ^[1] of the Yorke Peninsula population and maintains a 100% referral rate from all Yorke Peninsula GPs.

The Divisions mental health service provides access to qualified health professionals. These can include, Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers or Occupational Therapists; The Division uses the phrase “mental health clinician” for all professionals working within our mental health team.

A Mental Health Clinician is trained in human behaviour, thoughts and feelings. They can help people develop and use strategies to help change their lives at work, at home and in relationships and improve the way they feel within themselves.

Where are the services delivered?

The Division is aware that a major barrier in accessing mental health services in rural communities is distance and travel; to provide an easily accessible service the Division aims to provide access to mental health clinicians in each major town across the Yorke Peninsula, including: Kadina, Moonta, Wallaroo, Maitland, Minlaton, Ardrossan and Yorketown.

What is a mental illness?

Mental illness is a general term that refers to a group of illnesses, in the same way that heart disease refers to a group of illnesses affecting the heart. Mental illness problems appear to be increasing, according to the World Health Organization, depression will be one of the biggest health problems worldwide by the year 2020.

A mental illness is a health problem that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people. It causes a great deal of suffering to people experiencing them, as well as their families and communities.

A person experiencing mental health difficulties is usually able to live a fulfilling life, particularly if they are receiving help to manage their illness.

It is not uncommon for stigma to be attached to mental illness. This often causes people to feel embarrassed and sometimes people worry that others will treat them differently.

Anyone can develop a mental illness, no one is immune to mental illness. Nearly half (45%) of the population will experience a mental illness at some stage in their lives [2]. Most people with mental illness recover well and are able to lead fulfilling lives in the community when they receive appropriate treatment and support.

How do I access this mental health service?

Call your local Doctors’ Surgery and book a longer than normal appointment with your GP; talk to him/her about accessing our service.  

The GP will then ask a number of questions which will assist them in completing a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan and consent form. These will be sent confidentially to the Division. You will receive a receipt letter from the Division, informing you that we have received the referral.

Referral allocation takes place weekly: Based on the content of your referral and your location, a clinician who best meets your needs will be allocated. This clinician will contact you to discuss your referral and make an appointment.

Will my information be kept private?

Living in small communities often raises concerns over confidentiality: The information you share with your mental health clinician and other health care providers is confidential and will only be used for your assessment and treatment. Identifying information will not be released without your consent.

If, however you share information that indicates risk to you or someone else or there is an evident risk of child abuse, your Clinician is mandated to share this with the appropriate people.

To allow YPDGP to continue providing a free service we are required to provide social-demographic data to our funding bodies to assist in the evaluation process. This includes (E.g. birth date, gender, education, employment status etc.) and some general information about diagnosis and treatment. All of the information provided is de-identified, which means names and any other identifying information is kept private. The privacy of any information collected for evaluation purposes is protected by law and these details will be securely stored.  

Please note that YPDGP Mental Health Service is not an emergency service: In an emergency it is recommended that the appropriate emergency numbers be contacted.

Our funding stipulates that YPDGP is not able to provide a service to people requiring support for dementia, delirium, tobacco use, mental retardation, work cover or any other compensable claims, or solely drug and alcohol addiction.

[1] Based on population data acquired from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (30 March 2010). "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2008–09"

[2] SANE Australia, Facts and Figures about Mental Illness, Fact Sheet 13, viewed 16 February 2011, http://www.sane.org/information/