Please Note: MH-CLSR is not a crisis service. If someone is experiencing an acute mental health situation please call the state wide mental health access line – 1800 011 511. If someone is experiencing an emergency please dial 000.
To find out who is eligible for the program, please click the button below and then answer a few questions.
1
MH-CLSR is only provided by STARTTS and New Horizons in: Western Sydney LHD, Sydney LHD, Hunter New England (Armidale or Newcastle) or Mid- North Coast (Coffs Harbour) LHD.
For information about the program in other LHD areas please click here.
2
Is the person willing to engage with the CLSR program?*
*What does ‘willing to engage’ mean?
The person must be aware of the MH-CLSR program and genuinely consent to participate in the program. Consent can also be provided by a guardian or other person with the necessary authority. If the person is under 16 years of age, consent must be provided by a guardian.
2
Consent and willingness to engage with the program is essential for any referral to MH-CLSR. The person must be aware of the MH-CLSR program and genuinely consent to participate in the program. Consent can also be provided by a guardian or other person with the necessary authority. If the person is under 16 years of age, consent must be provided by a guardian.
3
MH-CLSR supports are intended for people who have arrived in Australia as refugees or humanitarian entrants or who are currently in the process of seeking protection and are considered ‘asylum seekers’. If you are unsure if someone meets this criteria, please contact the MH-CLSR intake team.
4
Is the person currently experiencing psychological distress, mental-ill health and impaired functioning?
How is severe psychological distress, mental ill-health and impaired functioning defined for MH-CLSR?
The person is experiencing psychological distress, mental ill-health and impaired functioning arising from complex and chronic trauma, grief and loss, torture, human rights violations, war/conflict, detention, migration and/or settlement, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, self- harm, suicide ideation, psychosis, mood disorder (such as depression, Bipolar Affective Disorder), severe anxiety, dissociative episodes and somatic symptom disorder.
Impaired functioning may be seen in:
- The person’s capacity to organise daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, shopping and budgeting, and to access and sustain a tenancy. This includes the ability to work thorough administrative requirements, such as completing applications forms, liaising with landlords, or understanding property maintenance procedures.
- Lengthy periods of ill health and hospitalisations may disrupt relationships, housing options and employment and complicate the person’s recovery pathway.
- Some people need to learn or regain confidence in their communication and practical skills for independent living.
- The person’s development of independent living skills may have been interrupted at the time their mental health condition first affected them.
- People may need support to manage the diverse areas of their lives, and if a number of people and support services are involved, may need help to coordinate them.
- When a person becomes unwell, they may be reliant on others to notice, better manage or ensure support coordination.
4
MH-CLSR is a program for people experience severe psychological distress, mental-ill health and/or impaired functioning. Please see other supports for other support options.
5
Did the person arrive to Australia within the last 10 years, or do they meet the exceptional circumstances?
What are "exceptional circumstances"?
Exceptional circumstances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the MH-CLSR Intake Team and could include:
- Lack of familial and/or community ties, and/or support;
- Individuals who are living alone;
- Individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or have unstable employment;
- Individuals who are experiencing, have recently experienced, or are at risk of experiencing family violence;
- Individuals who are experiencing severe psychological distress, mental ill health and/or impaired functioning.
5
The MH-CLSR is intended for people who have arrived to Australia within the last 10 years. However, someone who has been in Australian longer than 10 years may be considered if there are exceptional circumstances.
See the exceptional circumstances
- Lack of familial and/or community ties, and/or support;
- Individuals who are living alone;
- Individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or have unstable employment;
- Individuals who are experiencing, have recently experienced, or are at risk of experiencing family violence;
- Individuals who are experiencing severe psychological distress, mental ill health and/or impaired functioning.
6
People accessing MH-CLSR must be in regular, locatable accommodation so that services can be provided with continuity. This could include temporary accommodation or community detention accommodation.
If you are unsure or have any other questions, please contact the CLSR Intake team.
8
Referrals from a relevant LHD mental health service will be prioritised for MH-CLSR.
- People DO NOT need to have a formal medical mental health diagnosis, but must be experiencing symptoms of psychological distress, mental ill-health and/or impaired functioning.
- A mental health assessment is required as part of the referral process. This should be completed by a mental health professional (such as a psychologist, social worker, mental health nurse). If this has not been completed but the person being referred is still eligible for the program, please contact the MH-CLSR intake team to discuss how this can be arranged.
- If a person is receiving support from other programs which would duplicate MH-CLSR (HASI, HASI plus or Community Living Supports) then this would exclude them from the program.
- Receiving NDIS supports does not automatically exclude someone from participating in the program as long as the MH-CLSR supports would not duplicated what is being provided by NDIS.
- Please see a range of other supports for people from refugee backgrounds here
9
MH-CLSR is for people from refugee backgrounds in need of psychosocial supports because they are experiencing severe psychological distress, mental–ill health and/or impaired functioning.
- Please see a mental health assessment template here (coming soon!)
- A mental health assessment is required as part of the referral process. This should be completed by a mental health professional (such as a psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, mental health nurse), and must also include a risk assessment. If this has not been completed but the person being referred is still eligible for the program, please contact the MH-CLSR intake team to discuss how this can be arranged.
- Receiving NDIS supports does not automatically exclude someone from participating in the program as long as the MH-CLSR supports would not duplicated what is being provided by NDIS.
- Please see a range of other supports for people from refugee backgrounds here
If the person you are looking to refer is not suitable for MH-CLSR but requires other supports
10
Referring to MH-CLSR
Please ensure the following information is included in the referral where possible:
- History with Medication
- History of Suicidality and/or Self-Harm
- Violent and/or aggressive behaviour
- Any details about any other supports the person is receiving which could include; NDIS support, casework support through a settlement service provider, asylum seeker support service or mental health support service.
- If a mental health assessment has been completed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist or mental health nurse please ensure this is included in the referral.
- If a mental health assessment has not been completed please ensure the person being referred is suitable for the program, and please contact the MH-CLSR intake team to discuss arranging this.
After the referral is made:
- The intake team will send out a letter of acknowledgement via email and may contact the referrer to obtain more information to determine eligibility if required
- If eligible, a staff member will contact the referred person and the referrer to arrange a meeting
- Referral and assessment is discussed at the Local Partnership Meeting with the Local Health District to decide who will be accepted into the program
- A letter or acceptance will be sent to the referrer and supports will commence
- The referred person may be placed on a waiting list
MH-CLSR intake team contact details
If you have any questions about if someone you are looking to refer is suitable, please do not hesitate to contact the MH-CLSR intake team:
Phone: 02 9646 6700
Email: STTS-CLSRintake@health.nsw.gov.au
If someone is not eligible for MH-CLSR, please see other supports.
MH-CLSR Intake Team Contact Details
If you would like to further discuss if a referral is suitable, or to find out further information, please do not hesitate to contact the MH-CLSR intake team:
Phone: 02 9646 6700
Email: STTS-CLSRintake@health.nsw.gov.au
FAQs
Q.
What kinds of supports are generally provided by MH-CLSR?
A.
- Development of holistic, integrated support plans and provision of support coordination
- Psychosocial interventions including trauma informed recovery oriented therapy/counselling, community support and peer support to assist with social integration, emotional regulation and personal change
- Assistance with daily living skills including self-care, personal hygiene, cleaning, shopping, financial management, cooking and using transport
- Support attending appointments with other health or welfare services
- Support to manage medication requirements and other aspects of mental health care and treatment
- Assistance building skills in parenting functioning and facilitating access to family therapy
- Provision of appropriate therapeutic, educational and community supports for children and young people
- Collaboration with school counsellors and therapists with regard to the wellbeing of school aged children and young people
- Facilitation of access to education, vocational training and employment opportunities
- Assistance in building and maintaining family and community connections
- Facilitation of participation in social, leisure, recreational, cultural and community activities