Mentis Assist provides specialised mental health support for people living with a mental illness. We are one of Victoria’s primary not-for-profit community managed mental health service providers supporting people with mental illness and psychiatric disabilities.
With a 35 year history in the provision of high quality mental health support in Melbourne’s South East, Mentis Assist have supported thousands of people as they achieve their goals.
Mentis Assist supports individuals and their families, offering a range of services including one on one in-home outreach, consulting room services at our various locations, care co-ordination, group activities, family support and a suite of training and meaningful activity options.
We assist people to recognise their values, strengths and goals, with an emphasis on improving health and wellbeing, independence, social participation and enhancing meaningful relationships with family and significant others.
Our workforce consists of highly trained professionals and peers who are well supported by the organisation to provide recovery orientated, trauma informed, person-centred, strengths-based therapeutic and clinical practices.
Our recovery framework is grounded on the following domains: -Promoting a culture of hope -Promoting autonomy and self-determination -Collaborative partnerships and meaningful engagement -Focus on strengths -Holistic and personalised care -Inclusive of family, carers, support people and significant others -Community participation and citizenship -Responsive to diversity -Reflection and learning
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Services Offered
Counselling is available through our Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) program. This is a free mental health service for eligible people with mild to moderate mental health needs who live in South Eastern Melbourne, providing flexible psychological supports that are matched to your needs.
Support may include cognitive-behavioural therapy, skills training, psycho-education, relaxation strategies and other evidence-based interventions.
API Services are available for people who live or work in South Eastern Melbourne and can't afford to access similar psychological support.
People in the following groups are especially encouraged to refer: -Children under the age of 12 -People living in residential aged care facilities -Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people -People experiencing homelessness -People at risk of self-harm -People who have difficulty understanding the English language -Culturally diverse people -Women who suffer depression around childbirth and up to 1 year afterwards -People with substance use disorders -People who have experienced family violence
Referral to API services can be made by anyone; including GPs and other health providers, schools, social services, other organisations, or you can refer yourself by calling South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) 1800 862 363 (business hours only). Please contact us if you have any queries about arranging a referral.
Fees and Payment
Counselling through our API service is free.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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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.