Communtiy Mental Health
Community mental health are all those programs and services that treat and support people with mental illness outside psychiatric hospital settings. Generally, these are programs and services provided by mental health non-government organisations (NGOs) (such as Aftercare, Flourish Australia and Parramatta Mission), however community mental health may also refer to interdisciplinary Community Mental Health Teams and other organisations that provide social, vocational, educational, physical health or mental health support for mental health consumers.
Aftercare is a non-government mental health organisation that provides a variety of programs to suit the needs and wants of the person with mental illness. Their programs include:
- HASI (Housing & Accommodation Support Initiative)
- Partners in Recovery support facilitators
- Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program
There are numerous offices in the Nepean Blue Mountains region including:
- Katoomba - 21 Vale St, Katoomba NSW 2780 - (02) 4782 8600
- Lithgow - 40 Main St, Lithgow NSW 2790 - (02) 6350 0100
- Penrith - 252 Great Western Highway, Kingswood NSW 2747 - (02) 4720 9720
Target Audience
People who are, or have been, experiencing mental illness or have intellectual disabilities.
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
Local Areas
Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Penrith
Referral
Self referral - call the number below to enquire about criteria for specific programs.
The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team provides intensive mental health services for people with a mental illness and their families/carers living in the Penrith and Hawkesbury areas.
Address
St Marys Community Health Centre, 26 Gidley St, St Marys NSW 2760
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm
Local Areas
Hawkesbury, Penrith
Postal Address
PO Box 466, St Marys NSW 1790
Referral
Call (02) 9833 6800 (for people already in the service).
Flourish Australia (formerly RichmondPRA) is a non-government organisation that provides a number of services in Penrith including the Housing Support Initiative (HASI) and the Youth Community Living Support Service. The programs and services run by Flourish Australia attempt to ensure safe and secure housing; assist with employment, get the right skills and volunteer work; increase participation in the community and leisure activities; and reduce isolation.
Address
Derby St, Penrith NSW 2750
Target Audience
People with mental health issues.
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
Local Areas
Penrith
Referral
Can only be made by Community Mental Health clinicians and Partners in Recovery.
The Community Mental Health Team in the Hawkesbury provides a comprehensive mental health service for adults 18 years and over that are experiencing a mental health problem or illness. The multidisciplinary team provides services including:
- Case management
- Education and support for clients, carers and their families
Address
8 Ross St, Windsor NSW 2753
Target Audience
Adults with a mental health problem over the age of 18.
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm
Local Areas
Hawkesbury
Referral
Call (02) 4560 4100 (for people already in the service).
Katoomba Mental Health Services is a multidisciplinary service that provides assessment and management for children and adults with mental illness, as well as an outreach specialist mental health service for older people.
Address
Katoomba Community Health Centre, 93 Waratah St, Katoomba NSW 2780
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm
Local Areas
Blue Mountains
Postal Address
PO Box 1211, Katoomba NSW 2780
Referral
Call (02) 4782 2133 (for people already in the service).
The Penrith Mental Health Team provides comprehensive mental health services for adults who are recovering from mental health concerns. The Penrith Mental Health Team is a recovery-oriented service in which a multidisciplinary team engages with people with non-crisis mental health situations. There is a medications clinic, and an onsite psychiatrist who provides free services for people recovering from mental illness.
Address
Penrith Community Health Centre, 10-14 Soper Place, Penrith NSW 2750
Target Audience
Adults recovering from mental illness.
Eligibility
Adults 18-65
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm
Local Areas
Penrith
Referral
Call (02) 4732 9450 (for people already in the service).
The Resolve program is a two year program delivering comprehensive, recovery-oriented mental health support comprising:
- a residential program for periodic care with 24/7 peer support provided through Resolve Centres
- outreach support to people in their homes
- care coordination and case management for individuals
- linkages to specialist drug and alcohol services
- a phone line for after-hours peer support
The program will complement existing mental health services in Nepean Blue Mountains and Western NSW Local Health Districts that are responsible for taking care of you clinical needs.
Eligibility
People aged 18-64 years who live around Penrith, do not have a diagnosis of dementia and have been hospitalised for a mental health condition within the last 12 months.
Referrals must come through the Community Mental Health Service.
The Lithgow Community Mental Health Team is a community-based specialist team of registered Mental Health Nurses and a visiting psychiatrist. The multidisciplinary team provides a number of mental health services and groups for children, adolescents, adults and older persons including:
- Assessment and treatment
- A gardening group
- A consumer group
Address
Lithgow Community Health Centre, Col Drew Drive, Lithgow NSW 2790
Target Audience
People with a mental health problem or illness.
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm
Local Areas
Lithgow
Referral
Call (02) 6350 2750 (for people already in the service).
SMHSOP provides assistance to clients over 65 with mental health problems who require assessment and treatment. All referrals to SMHSOP are made through the central access line.
Address
Level 1, Mental Health Centre, Nepean Hospital, Corner Parker and Derby St, Penrith NSW 2750
Target Audience
People with mental health problems over 65.
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
24 hours, 7 days a week
Local Areas
Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Penrith
The community mental health team at Springwood is a multidisciplinary case management team for adults.
Address
288-292 Macquarie Rd, Springwood NSW 2777
Target Audience
People over 18 with a mental illness.
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm
Local Areas
Blue Mountains
Referral
Call (02) 4751 0100 (for people already in the service).
St Marys Community Mental Health provides a comprehensive mental health service for adults 18 years and over that are experiencing a mental health problem or illness.
Address
26 Gidley St, St Marys NSW 2760
Target Audience
People over 18 with a mental illness.
Cost
Free
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm
Referral
Call (02) 9833 6800 (for people already in the service).
Uniting is a not-for-profit organisation in the areas of aged care and disability, community services, chaplaincy and mental health that develop a large amount of services involved in social justice and advocacy issues.
Local Areas
Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Penrith