"We’re working to improve health care in our community through strong general practice".

Mental health

Partners in Mind

Partners in Mind aims to improve existing links between mental health services, specialist mental health services, local GPs and private allied mental health professionals. Partners in Mind is a collaboration between divisions of general practice and local government mental health services to implement a Queensland Framework for Primary Mental Health Care. The goal of this framework is to create an 'ideal' primary mental health care sector. The project is managed through General Practice Queensland and funded by Queensland Health.

Brisbane MIND

Brisbane MIND provides GPs with access to private psychological services to support patients who would otherwise be disadvantaged in accessing treatment. Brisbane MIND is funded under the Australian Government's Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program and compliments the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, which allows referral to mental health professionals as part of the GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. 

Only Health Care Card and Pension Card holders are eligible to be referred to Brisbane MIND via their GP. Referrals are to be made by a GP to one of our contracted Pscyhologists. Diagnostic categories for both adult patients (18 years and over) and children and adolescents (5-17 years) are anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol and bereavement. Two additional categories – autism and conduct oppositional defiant disorder – are available for 5-17 year olds.

GPs are encouraged to refer patients from the following groups: 

  • Homeless 
  • Peri/post natal depression 
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander 
  • Youth - patients under 25 
  • Aged - patients over 65 
  • Alcohol and drug and other mental health 
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse 

Patients contribute $15 / session, except for homeless and Indigenous people, for whom the service is free. Patients can also be referred for other mental health conditions as per the Better Access to Mental Health Care Medicare Schedule.

GPs and Psycologists interested in participating in Brisbane MIND must contact our Coordinator in the first instance.

Brisbane MIND is managed by GPpartners and funded through the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing’s Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative.

Last update: 17 August 2010