The Department of Health, Tasmania, through the Tasmanian Mental Health Reform Program, has been progressing a staged implementation of Access Mental Health, the new mental health support, triage, and referral line, since late last year. This service is now fully operational across Adult Mental Health Services Statewide.

This program is operated in partnership with A Tasmanian Lifeline, Access Mental Health is available from 9am to 10pm, seven days a week to support the Tasmanian community and make it easier to access and engage with the Tasmanian mental health system.

It uses advanced communication software to enable you to choose the type of mental health support you need, including immediate psychosocial and emotional support over the phone, referral to public mental health services, and connection to community teams for existing consumers, and their carers, families, and friends.

Importantly, while Access Mental Health supersedes the longstanding Mental Health Services Helpline, it uses the same phone number, 1800 332 388, and provides the same referral functions.

To support the implementation of Access Mental Health, a specialist mental health triage teams has been established across the State, including in the North and North West regions for the first time. These teams will ensure that no matter where a caller is in Tasmania, they will receive the right support.

Delivering this initiative is a major milestone for the Tasmanian Mental Health Reform Program and takes it one step closer to achieving our vision of a seamless, integrated mental health system in our State.