Strong Minds Western

Strong Minds Western is an evidence-based, short term counselling service. We provide up to 12 free sessions with our trained and experienced mental health team.

It’s designed to support you through recovery to wellness, with personalised care that helps you meet your needs and goals.

Who is Strong Minds Western for?

Strong Minds Western could be right for you if you’re looking for support for a mild to moderate mental health diagnosis.

Our team can support people:

• From rural, remote and under-serviced areas (that’s areas with limited mental health support)
• Who need support with a diagnosed mental health concern
• Experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness
• Experiencing perinatal depression
• From culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
• Who are from high priority groups such as First Nations people, people at risk of suicide and young people
• Who are under 12 years old (subject to clinician availability)

We provide this program in towns throughout the Central, North, South and Far West of NSW. Please call us for up-to-date service provider and town listings.

Strong Minds Western is not a crisis service and is only available within business hours.

How do I refer into the program?

You’ll need a GP referral and current Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) to refer into Strong Minds Western.

To access this program:

• Ask your GP for a MHTP
• Ask your GP to send your MHTP to our secure email mental.health@marathonhealth.com.au
• In rural and remote areas of Far West NSW, where it’s difficult to get a GP appointment, you may be able to receive up to three consultations prior to obtaining your MHTP, through a referral from a Community Health Worker. Further sessions are only available with MHTP from a GP. Check in with your local health service or contact us to check eligibility.
• For Children under 12 years, a Child Treatment Plan can be completed in place of a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Child referrals must be signed and consented to by a parent or carer.

Once we receive your referral, that has been assessed and accepted, one of our team will be in touch to book your first appointment.

If you can’t make an appointment, please let us know at least 24 hours prior. If you don’t let us know, or fail to attend a session, this will result in one of your sessions being forfeited.

This service is supported by funding from the Western NSW PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN program.