Who we are   

The Older Persons Mental Health Community Service (OPMHC) provides specialised multidisciplinary mental health services for adults over 65 years of age (55 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). The multidisciplinary team includes specialist trained older age consultant psychiatrists, registrars, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists and nurses. The team provides care to those with severe and complex mental health concerns impacted by age-related conditions.  

What we do   

OPMHC delivers comprehensive mental health assessments, evidence-based treatment, and care coordination using a care management model. Support is provided by the OPMHC to individuals and their carers in the community, including outreach to their homes and residential care facilities, where required.  

OPMHC care management focuses on enhancing individual strengths, building resilience, and increasing opportunities for older people's participation in daily social and personal activities. OPMHC team operates on the premise that older people can and do recover from mental illness.  

OPMHC services include: 

• early intervention to prevent escalation of mental health issues 
• comprehensive mental health assessment with consideration of physical health, frailty and age-related concerns 
• case management – focus on service coordination, linkage with community supports, mental health monitoring and treatment management  
• collaborative care – communication and joint treatment planning including major supports, for e.g. family, residential facility supports, GP. 

Who can access this service?   

Our services are for adults over 65 years (55 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who have: 

• late onset mental illness 
• early onset mental illness complicated by functional impairments or illness associated with ageing. 
• Services may be provided to people under the age of 65 years who have: 
• co-morbid cognitive and physical disorders resulting in impairment of the consumers mental health and daily functioning, or 
• existing involvement with aged care services. 

Note: Access to services is not exclusively restricted to age, or diagnosis, but is based on the need for specialist older person’s mental health care.  

How to access this service   

Urgent referrals should be made via 1300 MH CALL on 1300 642 255. 

Non-urgent referrals from GPs or primary health services, for example medical wards and specialists should go directly to Older Persons Team.