Asylum Seeker Health Services Mental health support in the time of COVID
Asylum Seeker Health Services Cabrini Outreach have three main programs/services for people seeking asylum: 1. Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub (the Hub) 2. Regional Specialist Mental Health Service - new 3. Hume Whittlesea Pharmacy Waiver Program
Asylum Seeker Health Hub - Services Primary Health Care: • Nurse led clinics – refugee health assessments, immunisation, pathology collection, referrals, care coordination and mental health assessments – using MH-STAR tool . • GP – mental health assessment, care plans and treatment • Physiotherapy – pain management – often related to mental health Specialist Mental Health Service: Psychiatry • Psychology • Mental health clinicians (social work and psychology background) – • counselling and care coordination Health waiver program – for pharmaceuticals, glasses, hearing aids and other medial aids and equipment
Eligibility for the Hub Priority access is given to the following people seeking asylum who: • Have no Medicare • Have Medicare but no income • Are living in community detention. • Are particularly vulnerable, and have Medicare and limited income. Vulnerabilities may include – single- headed households with children, homelessness, family violence.
Regional Specialist Mental Health Service • Additional funding received from DHHS for mental health care in rural/regional areas due to impact of COVID. • Project Coordinator setting up service and new mental health clinician employed. • Extension of the Specialist Mental Health Service already provided by the Hub – but using a telehealth model. • Focus is Shepparton, Mildura, Swan Hill and Robinvale. • GPs and community-based organisations can refer.
Regional Specialist Mental Health Service Expansion of eligibility (compared to the Hub): • People seeking asylum – remains the same • Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) • Other temporary visa – eg. where person has lost work and is not eligible for government support • Undocumented migrants – eg visa expired, exploited labour conditions, trafficking.
Referral information for Hub and SMHS Waitlist – a few weeks More information, including referral form: https://www.cabrinioutreach.com.au/heritage-and-strategy/australian- programs/asylum-seekers-and-refugees/asylum-seeker-and-refugee-health- hub MH-Star tool: Screening tool for assessment of mental health (can be used by non-health workers) and is part of the referral form: https://www.cabrinioutreach.com.au/heritage-and-strategy/australian- programs/asylum-seekers-and-refugees/development-of-mental-health-tool/
Flyer for regional services
Hume Whittlesea Pharmacy Waiver Program • In partnership with Whittlesea Community Connections (Epping) and Red Cross, with some funding from DHHS. • Eligibility – people seeking asylum with limited or no income. • Scripts prescribed by GP or specialist (including for mental health) will be paid for by Cabrini Outreach. • More information and referral form here: https://www.cabrinioutreach.com.au/heritage-and- strategy/australian-programs/asylum-seekers-and- refugees/hume-and-whittlesea-pharmacy-waiver-program/
Contact details Centre Manager: Tracey Cabrie Mobile: 0417 764 254 General enquiries: Telephone: (03) 8388 7874 Email: healthhhub@cabrini.com.au
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