Community Adult Mental Health

The Community Adult Mental Health Service is a State Government health service providing specialist mental health assessment and treatment for people with mental health needs living in the community. We use the term consumer to describe people who use our service.

Not everyone referred to us will require assistance from the Community Adult Mental Health Service. You may be provided with information about other organisations to meet your needs. When you are discharged from our service you may return to the care of your general practitioner (GP).

Community clinics are situated at Butler, Wanneroo. Mirrabooka, Osborne Park and Subiaco.

The clinics are staffed by multidisciplinary teams including Medical staff, Psychologists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Welfare Officers, Aboriginal Mental Health Workers and Peer Support Workers, and supported by General Practice Liaison Officers and Community Development Officers. Services are coordinated by Community Treatment Teams, Assessment and Treatment Teams, Intensive Clinical Outreach Teams, NMHS MH Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Teams, Obstetric Liaison Consultation Service and Post-natal Teams.

Community Adult Mental Health also includes the Neuromodulation Service and the Creative Expression Centre for Arts Therapy (CECAT), a therapeutic creative arts service that utilises a range of creative mediums and processes to assist in mental illness recovery.

Referrals

Referrals to our service can be from a family member, GP, health professional, another service provider, inpatient service, or you can self-refer.

Meet our team

At North Metropolitan Community Adult Mental Health Service, you may be looked after by a number of different team members who will work together to ensure you receive the best support and care.

Clinicians working in the service include psychiatrists, community mental health nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and clinical psychologists. You may also be supported by a peer support worker, occupational therapy assistant or Aboriginal mental health worker.

Case manager

Everyone who attends the Community Adult Mental Health Service is allocated a case manager from entrance to discharge from the service.

The case manager coordinates recovery orientated care. This involves assessment, treatment and support to consumers, carers or significant others, with clear communication between those involved.

Your case manager may be a psychiatrist, community mental health nurse, clinical psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker.

Your case manager looks after your interests while you are a consumer at the clinic. They coordinate with other team members to ensure your identified needs are met.

Your case manager is your first point of contact if you have any questions, and you will meet with your case manager regularly so that they can monitor your progress and discuss any issues. Your case manager is responsible for working with you to create your individual care and crisis awareness plans.

Your case manager helps you manage day-to-day issues, including:

  • How to deal with stress and illness
  • Your emotional and mental wellbeing
  • Your physical health
  • Your safety and the safety of others

If you do not already have a GP, your case manager can help you find one in the first few weeks of your care so you will be familiar with them by the time you are discharged.

Peer support workers

Peer support workers are staff members who have a lived experienced of mental health challenges. In addition to their lived experience, they are trained to support you in exploring your own recovery pathway.

Aboriginal mental health workers

Aboriginal mental health workers are available to support Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander consumers of the service.

General practitioner (GP)

Your GP remains an important part of your team while in the care of North Metropolitan Community Adult Mental Health Service. Your psychiatrist will send regular letters to your GP so they can be kept up-to-date with your care. When you are discharged, your GP will already be aware of your treatment while in our care.

Care Plan

All consumers in Community Adult Mental Health Service complete an individual Care Plan. This plan is created between yourself and your case manager. The plan identifies how you maintain your wellness, your signs of distress and what you and others can do to best support you. The plan also includes your individual recovery goals. You will be asked to sign your Care Plan and you will be given a copy.

If you have a carer or significant other and would like them involved, they may also be asked to participate in the development of your Care Plan if you would like them to be.

Crisis Awareness Plan

A Crisis Awareness Plan is to help you identify triggers, early warning signs and coping strategies for times when you feel more vulnerable. You will develop this plan with your case manager. Your Crisis Awareness Plan will list the things that help you in times of stress, the people you can contact, and helpful phone numbers.

If you have a carer or significant other and you would like them involved, they can be included in the plan.

Governance

Our mental health services are governed by national standards of care and legislation.

The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) provide a nationally consistent statement of the level of care consumers can expect to receive from health care organisations. In addition, the National Standards in Mental Health Services provide a framework for safety and quality in mental health services.

The Mental Health Act 2014 is the legislation relating to when mental health care and treatment can be provided, together with the rights of consumer and carers. If you would like any further information, please ask your case manager.

Last Updated: 04/09/2024