Connect to Wellbeing provides a single point of entry to mental health services across the Stepped Care model in Northern Queensland and the North Coast of Queensland. This ‘no wrong door’ approach provides an efficient and accessible way to find the right support to manage mental health needs.
The service is funded through the Primary Health Network Program, which is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government to commission services to meet the health needs and priorities of our region.
It is administered by Neami National, a community mental health service supporting people living with mental illness to improve their health, live independently and pursue a life based on their own strengths, values and goals.
You May Also Consider (Sponsored)
Quick Start Online Therapy: Tell Us a Little About Yourself and Get Matched With a Therapist Right for You
Take a simple guided quiz and let us know your preferences. Get matched to an online therapist right for you. Convenient and affordable online therapy from your phone, tablet or computer.
Have you been in therapy before?
Services Offered
To ensure that people seeking support are connected with the right support at the right time, building strong working relationships with local service providers and primary health teams is key for Connect to Wellbeing.
After receiving a referral, the Connect to Wellbeing team will complete a holistic assessment and triage before referring onto the most appropriate local service for consumers' needs.
The local service is often a private provider in your area with a short to no waitlist. The full cost for your counselling and/or mental health treatment will be covered through this program.
A referral to our service must come from your GP. If they are not familiar with our program please direct them to our website, where they can download the referral form.
Fees and Payment
Counselling is provided free of charge for those who meet the criteria of being unable to access Psychological Therapy due to financial circumstances.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.