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PHN guideline on mental healthcare available for download


The National Guidance Initial Assessment and Referral for Mental Healthcare was developed by the Department of Health to provide Primary Health Networks (PHNs) advice on establishing effective systems for the initial assessment and referral of individuals presenting with mental health conditions in primary healthcare settings.

This guideline was developed in response to a lack of established evidence regarding initial assessment and decision making in stepped-care systems. It is also expected to provide a broader implementation of nationally consistent approaches to the referral of people to PHN-commissioned services for mental health care.

Find out more on working with the stepped-care model in general practice.