Working and engaging with local consumers, carers, providers and many community organisations, we seek to provide free access to psychological and psychiatry services for people experiencing hardship within the Western Sydney region.
Programs and Services
WentWest commissions mental health services across a range of identified needs – mental health support for CALD communities, people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, self-intervention programs, young people, people integrating back into the community following a hospital stay, or people who have co-occurring mental health concerns.
The following services are all free to access for people who live in Western Sydney and are categorised into five levels; from self-intervention, through to high intensity specialist support.
Level 1: Self-Management Services
Self-management services are designed to prevent the onset of illness and are focussed on supporting people to self-manage their mental health. This level of care involves evidence-based digital therapies and other forms of self-help. People suitable for this level of care typically mild symptoms.
Headstart is an easy-to-use online platform designed for people aged 12 years and over to navigate the mental health care system. Individuals or those who are caring for someone experiencing mental health issues can access information on a range of services in Western Sydney based on a person’s mental health needs, age, cultural background, level of need, and location.
Visit Headstart to find the right local mental health service for you.
Head to Health is a national, online directory of mental health services, including digital mental health tools and self-help services. This includes online services, flood relief information, COVID-19 support, as well as information on accessing local clinical and non-clinical mental health services. The site offers multiple ways of navigating the right support for you, your family, or a client.
Provides mental health education programs to people living with mental health conditions, as well as carers, families, friends, workers or volunteers in the mental health and community sector.
Find out more information on the Western Sydney Recovery College website or call 9199 6195. A referral is not required.
Read about Marie and Alice’s experience with Recovery College.
Level 2: Low Intensity Services
Low intensity services are designed to be accessed quickly, and easily, and typically involve a small number of short sessions through a range of modalities including face-to-face, group work, telephone and digital interventions. People suitable for this level of care typically have minimal or no risk factors, and usually experience mild symptoms or low levels of distress which can interfere with the level of motivation to self-manage their mental health symptoms.
An early intervention program for young people aged 12-25 years providing access to support and information for a broad range of concerns including mental health, physical or sexual health, drugs and alcohol and counselling services.
A referral form is available online for the following locations that WSPHN commission: Mount Druitt, Parramatta and Castle Hill. Visit the headspace website for more information.
Aboriginal Counselling Services provides mental health interventions and therapeutic counselling to people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assisting with navigating the health system and managing mental and chronic health conditions.
Read Uncle Dave’s story.
Call 0410 539 905 for more information.
Providing person-centred mental health support to aged care residents by matching their unique needs to qualified, specialist mental health clinicians.
These interventions can assist residents who may be experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns presenting as:
- Depression
- anxiety
- chronic pain
- grief and loss
- adjustment issues
- difficulty coping with illness
- functional decline or sensory loss.
To request additional information or to refer a resident to the program, please contact Community Options Australia on 0457 001 618 or by email at well@communityoptions.net.au
Read Lionel’s story.
Level 3: Moderate Intensity Services
Moderate intensity services provide structured, frequent, and intensive interventions. These services are typically inclusive of psychological and other forms of clinical mental health intervention, alongside community and lifestyle supports. People who require this level of care are likely experiencing mild to moderate symptoms or distress that is impacting their ability to function.
Head to Health provides face-to-face consultations. Clients will be connected with a trained health professional who can help identify the support they need and develop a package of services that respond to their individual situation.
People can call Head to Health on 1800 595 212 from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) to talk to a mental health professional.
A new adult mental health centre run by Stride is now open in Parramatta at Ground Floor, Suite 1, 150 George Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150.
A referral or an appointment is not required.
An early intervention program for young people aged 12-25 years providing access to support and information for a broad range of concerns including mental health, physical or sexual health, drugs and alcohol and counselling services.
A referral form is available online for the following locations that WSPHN commission: Mount Druitt, Parramatta and Castle Hill. Visit the headspace website for more information.
Aboriginal Counselling Services provides mental health interventions and therapeutic counselling to people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assisting with navigating the health system and managing mental and chronic health conditions.
Read Uncle Dave’s story.
Call 0410 539 905 for more information.
Providing person-centred mental health support to aged care residents by matching their unique needs to qualified, specialist mental health clinicians.
These interventions can assist residents who may be experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns presenting as:
- Depression
- anxiety
- chronic pain
- grief and loss
- adjustment issues
- difficulty coping with illness
- functional decline or sensory loss.
To request additional information or to refer a resident to the program, please contact Community Options Australia on 0457 001 618 or by email at well@communityoptions.net.au
Read Lionel’s story.
The PMHC program commissions psychological and psychiatric services for vulnerable patients residing in Western Sydney. Clients are able to access up to 12 sessions per year of psychological support at no cost, with priority services available for people at risk of suicide. GPs can refer eligible patients through the PMHC Referral Form.
For more information, visit our Primary Mental Health Care Professionals webpage
Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS) outreach program provides mental health support, treatment, as well as case management for young people between 12-25 who have, or are at risk of developing mental health concerns.
The program offers holistic support that’s tailored to the individuals needs. This might include psychological and social interventions, peer work, employment services, psychiatry or family work.
Read Jayda’s story.
For more information email yess@uniting.org or visit the website.
headfyrst offers a safe, confidential, young person centred program which encourages open communication between young people and their clinician to express what’s going on for them in a non-judgmental environment. headfyrst clinicians are able to identify key issues and concerns which are explored collaboratively with young people working towards positive changes and outcomes.
headfyrst is about providing resources, counselling and support to help young people work through their recovery journey. headfyrst supports young people to build on their strengths in order to enhance health, wellbeing, independence and participation in a meaningful life.
- Read Max’s story
- Read Ramon’s story
Pregnancy and parenthood can put significant stress on new parents. It isn’t uncommon for anxiety and depression to disrupt parent-baby relationships, wellbeing and family life.
St John of God, Raphael Services, is offered in Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Stanhope Gardens to provide specialist mental health care for families in the perinatal and infancy stages with a significant mental health concern. Raphael Services offers vital early-intervention counselling, therapy, support, provision of parallel treatment or assistance with onward referral to enable mums and dads to thrive emotionally, physically and as a family.
Read Tala’s story.
For more information, please call 1800 292 292.
Embedding a consultant psychiatrist and peer worker into ten engaged general practices, the program uses a case-conferencing model to build a support network for general practices in Western Sydney, develop the skills of practice staff, and enable easier access to a psychiatrist for GPs within Western Sydney who register for the program – identifying an increasing level of mental health complexities in their patients. The program currently has capacity to engage additional practices within Western Sydney. If you are interested, please reach out to the commissioning team by email at commissioning@wentwest.com.au
Level 4: High Intensity Services
High intensity services support people experiencing severe
mental illness and significant functional impairment, who need intensive
intervention and multi-disciplinary support. These services include a range of
comprehensive clinical, non-clinical and psychosocial supports. A person
requiring this level of care usually has a diagnosed mental health condition
with significant symptoms, substantial hinderances to their functioning, and
are at higher, but not acute, risk of harm.
Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS) outreach program provides mental health support, treatment, as well as case management for young people between 12-25 who have, or are at risk of developing mental health concerns.
The program offers holistic support that’s tailored to the individuals needs. This might include psychological and social interventions, peer work, employment services, psychiatry or family work.
Read Jayda’s story.
For more information email yess@uniting.org or visit the website.
Head to Health provides face-to-face consultations. Clients will be connected with a trained health professional who can help identify the support they need and develop a package of services that respond to their individual situation.
People can call Head to Health on 1800 595 212 from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) to talk to a mental health professional.
A new adult mental health centre run by Stride is now open in Parramatta at Ground Floor, Suite 1, 150 George Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150.
A referral or an appointment is not required.
A recovery-based service designed for young people who have experienced their first psychotic episode or are at high risk of experiencing psychosis. The service supports young people and their families in many aspects of a young person’s life.
Please visit the headspace website for more information or complete a referral form for our Mount Druitt or Parramatta sites.
headfyrst is a service for young people with co-existing AOD and mental health conditions. headfyrst clinicians are able to identify key issues and concerns which are explored collaboratively with young people working towards positive changes and outcomes.
headfyrst is about providing resources, counselling and support to help young people work through their recovery journey. It supports young people to build on their strengths in order to enhance health, wellbeing, independence and participation in a meaningful life.
- Read Max’s story
- Read Ramon’s story
Hospital 2 Home helps people connect to the services and support they need to live well in the community, improve health outcomes, reduce isolation and prevent readmission to the hospital.
This program focuses on strengthening coordination, referral pathways, and connections between Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) residents in Western Sydney, health professionals, and community services. With a diverse team of bilingual mental health workers, this program can help to navigate the mental health system and provide emotional support while assisting with referrals and treatments.
Read Margherit’s story.
Pregnancy and parenthood can put significant stress on new parents. It isn’t uncommon for anxiety and depression to disrupt parent-baby relationships, wellbeing and family life.
St John of God, Raphael Services, is offered in Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Stanhope Gardens to provide specialist mental health care for families in the perinatal and infancy stages with a significant mental health concern. Raphael Services offers vital early-intervention counselling, therapy, support, provision of parallel treatment or assistance with onward referral to enable mums and dads to thrive emotionally, physically and as a family.
Read Tala’s story.
For more information, please call 1800 292 292.
Initial assessment for young people presenting mental health conditions or related concerns for the first time to the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital Westmead. Help2WIN provides short term management and facilitates referrals to appropriate services.
Read Logan’s story.
Embedding a consultant psychiatrist and peer worker into ten engaged general practices, the program uses a case-conferencing model to build a support network for general practices in Western Sydney, develop the skills of practice staff, and enable easier access to a psychiatrist for GPs within Western Sydney who register for the program – identifying an increasing level of mental health complexities in their patients. The program currently has capacity to engage additional practices within Western Sydney. If you are interested, please reach out to the commissioning team by email at commissioning@wentwest.com.au
Level 5: Acute and Specialist Mental Health Services
Specialist mental
health services include intensive team-based specialist assessment and
intervention, and a range of health professionals such as mental health
clinicians, GPs, psychiatrists, social workers, and allied health professionals.
People who require this
level of care usually have extreme symptoms and are at high risk of self-harm, issues
with functioning independently, and are likely to benefit from psychiatric
assessment and care, crisis management, and therapeutic interventions provided
by a multidisciplinary specialist team.
For immediate crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 and in an emergency, always call triple zero (000).
A recovery-based service designed for young people who have experienced their first psychotic episode or are at high risk of experiencing psychosis. The service supports young people and their families in many aspects of a young person’s life.
Please download the referral form online or for more information visit the headspace website.
Initial assessment for young people presenting mental health conditions or related concerns for the first time to the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital Westmead. This service provides short term management and facilitates referrals to appropriate services.
Additional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services
The Shed offers a supportive environment for disadvantaged men and women, providing assistance with mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, connecting people to mental health, Centrelink, housing, legal and therapeutic services. With a focus on supporting people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, everyone is welcome. A referral is not required. Call 1300 550 099 or visit The Shed website for more information.
Read Luke’s story.
Provides intervention and case management to support adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women with families experiencing the harmful effects of alcohol and illicit substances to achieve physical, social and emotional well-being. Visit the website or call 9628 3031 for more information.
Baabayn offers people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support and links to services in a welcoming environment. They work with elders of the community and their families by focusing on healing from inter-generational trauma and building resilience. They also hold Monday Evening Cultural Healing Circles, Tuesday Gatherings, Wirringa Rising Program for Teenage Girls and Face-to-face guidance.
Call 0404 457 043 for more information, a referral is not required.
Read Karri’s story.
The Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program (CPS) provides psychosocial support services for adults with severe mental illnesses. They are a non-clinical program that aims to facilitate recovery in the community for people experiencing mental illness – through a range of services to help people manage daily activities, rebuild and maintain connections, build social skills, participate in education and employment, improve daily functioning, and work toward achieving their recovery goals.
One Door Mental Health and Uniting run the CPS Program in WSPHN. For more information, please contact One Door Mental Health or Uniting on:
One Door Mental Health: 1800 843 539 or email cpswsintake@onedoor.org.au or the website
Uniting: 8599 4840 or email CPS@uniting.org or the website
STARTTS provides a program that addresses the specific needs of LGBTIQIA+ clients with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. It focuses on building strength, resilience, and promoting self-help as well as empowering community members and leaders to reduce stigma, recognise signs of distress, develop coping strategies, and build supportive relationships to reduce social isolation. Patients can be referred to this service through the online referral form.
You can contact an Intake Counsellor at STARTTS on (02) 9646 6800 or visit one of their locations in Western Sydney:
- Auburn: Floor 1, 44-50 Auburn Road, Auburn NSW 2144
- Blacktown: Suite 2, Ground Floor, 85 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148
Read Anita’s story.
Run by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), delivers psycho-education and lifestyle group interventions for four prominent cultural groups within Western Sydney – Hazara, Tamil, South Sudanese and Arabic. The program aims to identify the signs of emotional distress, develop coping strategies, develop supportive relationships, break social isolation and reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health assistance.
To enquire more about this program contact STARTTS on 9646 6666.
Read more about this program in the words of their clients and staff:
Head to Health
The Head to Health website provides helpful resources, contacts, information and tips to support you and your loved ones mental health.
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue has a dedicated COVID-19 mental health support line. Call 1800 512 348 to speak to a counsellor for expert advice; they can help you develop strategies to cope.
Online chat service is also available 24/7 through the website if you may not want to talk over the phone.
STARTTS
STARTTS runs several mental health programs to support diverse communities through the challenges of COVID-19:
- South Sudanese Youth Ambassador Program
- Keeping in Contact – Older Australians
- African and Burmese Community Mental Health Awareness
Suicide Prevention and Aftercare Services
Safe Space allows people experiencing psychological distress to access timely and responsive support from trained, non-clinical health professionals. Safe Space promotes wellbeing through a community-centred approach to suicide prevention and offers an alternative to emergency department presentation for people experiencing psychological distress and suicidality.
- Read Lorna’s story
- Read Victoria’s story
For more information visit the Stride website.
An aftercare service for people who have attempted suicide or experienced a suicidal crisis. It provides non-clinical care and practical support for up to three months to empower individuals to improve their safety and quality of life. Referrals are made through the hospital, following discharge.
The following resources are available:
Call 8416 1100 or visit the Neami National website for more information.
Run by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), delivers psycho-education and lifestyle group interventions for four prominent cultural groups within Western Sydney – Hazara, Tamil, South Sudanese and Arabic. The program aims to identify the signs of emotional distress, develop coping strategies, develop supportive relationships, break social isolation and reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health assistance.
To enquire more about this program contact STARTTS on 9646 6666.
Read more about this program in the words of their clients and staff:
Alcohol and Other Drug Services
There is a range of drug and alcohol services funded by us as the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN) and NSW and Commonwealth Governments. The services funded by WSPHN can be found on the Alcohol and Other Drugs webpage.
Progressing Health Now
Find out more about our other Services and Programs available for Western Sydney community members.
