Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is pleased to announce that Primary and Community Care Services (PCCS) will deliver the Head to Health Phone Service across the greater Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay regions, including rural areas, from 1 July 2024. 

Under NQPHN’s redesigned Mental Health Stepped Care model, the Head to Health Phone Service replaces the current Connect to Wellbeing intake and assessment service. 

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Sean Rooney said the redesigned model and service offerings would look different to the current model when they came into effect. 

“Further information about the new services will be provided in due course, however, it’s important for people to know that from 1 July, the Connect to Wellbeing intake and assessment service will transition to the existing Head to Health Phone Service,” Mr Rooney said. 

“Referrals sent to Connect to Wellbeing after this date will be redirected to the Head to Health Phone Service to support the transition.” 

Mr Rooney said the Head to Health Phone Service was an NQPHN-funded access point for community members, GPs, primary care clinicians, and health and social sector stakeholders.   

“Community members can call directly to receive mental health advice, support, and navigation to an appropriate service where required,” he said. 

“The phone service will be staffed by mental health professionals and people with lived experience, and a referral won’t be required. 

“General practitioners (GPs) remain an important point for people to access stepped care services and they will continue to be able to send a referral to the Head to Health Phone Service for their patients to access services.”  

Information specifically related to how GPs refer to the Head to Health Phone Service will be provided. 

PCCS Chief Executive Officer A/Prof J.R. Baker said people could reach out at any stage of their wellbeing journey – they just needed to call the phone service. 

“The Head to Health Phone Service aims to make accessing care options easier for the community,” A/Prof Baker said.  

“Whether you're feeling well and want to keep improving your wellbeing, life has thrown you some curveballs and you need strategies to manage your stress, you’re feeling disconnected or isolated, or you’re dealing with big challenges that are heavily impacting your life and you need more comprehensive support and care options, we are here for you.” 

A/Prof Baker said the service was simple to use.  

“When you call, our job is to listen and understand your needs and priorities, then let you know some available options and resources that might work for you to help you decide your next steps,” he said. 

“We will be a trusted advisor, keeping in touch to find solutions and create the path to a healthier better life that you find safer, more enjoyable, and fulfilling.” 

The Head to Health Phone Service is an existing service in the northern Queensland region and complements other mental health support lines already available to the community. 

NQPHN is working closely with current and new stepped care service providers to manage the transition period and ensure service users continue to get the care they need. 

The revised Mental Health Stepped Care redesigned model service offerings are the result of a community consultation and codesign process to update the model and followed a review of North Queensland's Mental Health Stepped Care services in 2022. 

The Head to Health Phone Service can be contacted on 1800 595 212.