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Resources for Practitioners

If you are a Family Violence (FV) specialist or Child & Family Services worker and a client discloses mental health issues –

  • you may be able to manage these in the context of your role
  • you may need to access additional resources on mental health
  • you may wish to have secondary consults with an mental health practitioner
  • you may need to refer your client to an mental health specialist service

Framework for trauma-informed practice Trauma-informed practice is a whole-of-system approach to support the wellbeing of those who use and work in our services. The framework was developed from consultations and feedback that included people with lived experience of trauma.

For information and resources about Mental Health, visit the website of Victoria’s peak body for Mental Health – Mental Health Victoria

Other general information on Mental Health:

If you need advice or support for your client you can access secondary consultations through:

  • CAMHS – Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provides consultation to other service providers working with children and adolescents to promote early intervention and effective delivery of primary level responses for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.
  • SEMPHN – SEMPHN partners with Monash Health and Alfred Health to provide general practitioners with free access to secondary consultations with an experienced psychiatrist.
  • Forensicare – A secondary consultation involves a discussion, usually via telephone, between a Forensicare’s clinician and the referrer about a specific client. The client is not present during the consultation. The aim of the consultation discussion is to clarify pertinent issues and to provide advice about the client’s ongoing management. A secondary consultation may lead onto a primary consultation, if appropriate.

Various Mental Health services are available in Bayside Peninsula and across Victoria that you can refer a client to:

Available at no cost

  • Someone Health – Making Mental Health Accessible  Medicare bulk-billed and convenient online psychology sessions available when you want, Australia wide.  You can connect with  psychologists 7 days a week, including after hours. They are Medicare bulk billed, giving clients 20 free appointments every year with no out-of-pocket costs. For further information and bookings visit the website.
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs – Cheltenham, Frankston and St Kilda – The pandemic has affected everyone in different ways. Even as Victoria reopens, it’s important to take care of your mental health and know that help is available near you.  If you’re having a difficult time or are feeling overwhelmed, you can get support through your local Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub.  Walk ins are available or phone 1300 375 330.

Privately funded support (at cost)

Cross Roads Psychology have counsellors that used to work for SECASA so they are very trauma informed in their practice. They are private but do accept clients on Mental health care plans – you may be able to apply for FSP to cover the gap. They are based in Chelsea.

If you are a Mental Health practitioner and a client discloses that they are experiencing family violence (FV) or you believe FV is an issue, you need to be able to respond appropriately – visit our Understanding Family Violence page to learn about:

  • what FV is
  • how to identify FV
  • how to respond within Victoria’s MARAM Framework
  • understanding information sharing legislation

See also – Mental Health Guideline on Responding to Family Violence

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