About Head to Health

Whether you’re trying to improve your own sense of wellbeing, looking for help with something that’s bothering you, or helping someone you care about, Head to Health is a good place to start.

When a person calls Head to Health on 1800 595 212, an experienced mental health professional will listen and work with them to find the best ways to get the help they need.

Depending on a person’s needs, they may:

  • be connected with suitable existing services
  • receive care at a Head to Health hub, either onsite or through telehealth
  • be connected to specialist or acute mental health services, including into emergency care.

For more information about Head to Health services, see how we can help.

Background

In September 2020, the Australian Government provided funding to Victorian PHNs to establish 15 HeadtoHelp Hubs across Victoria as an emergency response to provide additional mental health support during the coronavirus pandemic.

This unique model of care was jointly developed by Victoria’s PHNs in collaboration with the Australian Government. PHNs are primarily funded by the Australian Government to improve health care, and support people receive from health services.

From 31 December 2021, HeadtoHelp services are being rebranded Head to Health as part of the broader Head to Health initiative and to align with the ‘pop up’ services recently implemented in NSW and the ACT. The intake phone number remains unchanged – 1800 595 212.

Delivered locally

The Victorian Head to Health central intake and hubs are operated by PHNs (Primary Health Networks) in cooperation with existing health services.

The Head to Health model draws upon insights from consultations conducted by PHNs with people with lived experience of mental illness, consumers, clinicians and other experts. Head to Health is person-centred, recovery oriented and evidence-based, reflecting PHNs’ commitment to these principles. Head to Health comprises a central phone intake and mental health services located across Victoria.

Head to Health uses the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) – this is a series of clinical and social questions help the trained intake team understand a person’s needs and what type of support or services will best help. A caller may be referred to existing services or if there is no existing service that is suitable, to one of the Head to Health services which offer a multidisciplinary team to help with more complex mental health needs.

Head to Health is a unique service and the first state-wide step towards integrating the mental health system and coordinating care for people, when and where they need it most.

Discrimination

All Head to Health services are provided free of discrimination based on age, race, gender identity, sexuality, religious or political belief or activity or any other characteristic possessed or assumed as protected under Victorian and Australian anti-discrimination law.

No-cost policy

Advice and services provided by Head to Health hubs are offered free to all Victorians. Head to Health may, however, provide advice and refer people to support and/or services that require payment of a professional fee. These services are not included in the no-cost service provided by Head to Health.

About PHNs

The Australian Government established PHNs (Primary Health Networks) to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services, reduce fragmentation of care and improve health outcomes for everyone, especially for the most vulnerable.

PHNs achieve this goal by improving access to existing services, commissioning new services to improve health outcomes, and supporting GPs and others to innovate and further improve local health care. There are 31 PHNs across Australia, with six in Victoria.

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Urgent Support

If you need immediate help or are at risk of harm to yourself or others call 000

For urgent support, call:

Lifeline 13 11 14

SuicideLine 1300 651 251

Head to Health

Call 1800 595 212

Monday to Friday 8.30am–5pm
(except public holidays)

If you can’t get through,
click here to request a call back.

After hours & weekends

If it is after hours and you would like to talk to someone, call:

Beyond Blue 1800 512 348

MensLine 1300 789 978

KidsLine 1800 551 800

Our Head to Health hubs are located around Victoria: Find us here

1800 595 212
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
National Relay Service

Head to Health acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of country throughout Victoria, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.

We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.

While the Australian Government has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.