Mental Health, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (MHATODS)

If you’re over 18 and facing a mental health crisis or significant emotional distress, the Acute Care Service (ACS) is here to provide you with individualised, timely assessment, treatment, and intervention. Our collaborative team of mental health clinicians—including Consultant Psychiatrists, Health Professionals, Clinical Nurse Consultants, and Clinical Nurses—works together to ensure you receive the support you need.

Who we can help:
ACS is designed for individuals who:

• Are experiencing a crisis or emotional distress that may require hospitalisation for their safety.
• Are currently receiving support from another area of the MH&ATOD service and need acute assistance, especially during weekends or holidays.

Our service includes:

• Triage: We manage all new adult referrals to the Mount Isa Mental Health Service (MIMHS).
• Emergency Consults: Our team provides consult liaison services for emergency doctors.
• Hospital Consults: We facilitate communication and support within the hospital setting.
• Acute Triage and Intake: We ensure efficient processing of acute cases. Brief Interventions: We offer short-term support (up to 6 weeks) for individuals needing follow-up care.

Who is eligible?
Any individual over the age 18 within the NWHHS is eligible for ACS, who are experiencing, or at risk of developing, sever and complex emotional, behavioural or mental health problems.

How to get Referrals
Referrals to ACS can come from various sources:

• Self-referral: current and former open consumers of the service, and those seeking to access the service for the first time.
• Family/Carer referral: carers/family members of a consumer/potential consumer.
• Internal referral: any NWHHS Emergency Department, hospital ward/unit/outpatient facility, Consumer Liaison/s, Medical Officer or Acute or non-acute mental health service.
• External referral: General Practitioner (GP), other QLD Health Hospital and Health Services and other Government/Non-Government agencies or services.

If you’re over 18 and affected by mental illness, the Community Care Service (CCS) is here to provide you with comprehensive support. Our multidisciplinary team offers community-based assessment and treatment services for individuals, as well as support for family members and caregivers.

Our Approach:
At CCS, we believe in a recovery-oriented, person-centred approach that focuses on your strengths and empowers you to take charge of your recovery journey. We emphasise consumer choice, resilience-building, and enhancing social inclusion opportunities because we know that recovery is possible.

What we offer:

• Empowerment: We help you direct your own recovery path.
• Risk Assessment: During regular case management contacts, we assess any levels of risk, including self-harm, suicide, or aggression.
• Integrated Care: We facilitate smooth transitions between services for effective care.
• Support for Families and Carers: We ensure families and caregivers can access timely support.

CCS aims to reduce inpatient admissions, prevent homelessness, and minimise relapses, all while promoting mental health literacy and reducing barriers to social inclusion in the community.

Who is eligible?
Any individual over the age 18 within the NWHHS is eligible for CCS.

How to get Referrals
At present referrals to CCS are accepted through internal channels only.

• Internal referral: any NWHHS Emergency Department, hospital ward/unit/outpatient facility, Consumer Liaison/s, Medical Officer or Acute or non-acute mental health service.

If you’re a child or young person aged 0 to 17 living in the North West HHS region and facing severe or complex mental health challenges, CYMHS is here for you. Our specialised service is designed for those whose needs aren’t being met by other providers.

What we offer:

• Expert Support: We provide professional guidance from the moment you reach out. This includes advice, information, screening, assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing support for you and your family.
• Risk Assessment: Our team evaluates any immediate risks, such as self-harm or suicidal thoughts, to ensure you receive the appropriate care.
• Easy Access: We prioritise timely access to specialist mental health services tailored to your needs.
• Comprehensive Coordination: We help connect you with a variety of services to support your mental health journey.

At CYMHS, we balance crisis intervention with evidence-based therapies, including medication and psychosocial support, while also focusing on early intervention and prevention.

Who is eligible?
Any child or young person aged 0 to 17 in the NWHHS region is eligible for our support.

How to get Referrals
You can reach us through various channels:

• Self-referral: Current and former clients, as well as new individuals seeking our services.
• Family/Carer referral: Family members or caregivers of someone who may benefit from our support.
• Internal referrals: From North West HHS Emergency Departments, hospital outpatient facilities, paediatricians, or any mental health services.
• External referrals: Through General Practitioners (GPs), Child Protection Services, Guidance Officers, or other governmental and non-governmental organisations.

If you’re over 18 and experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in the North West HHS region, the HHOT service is here to help. We use an assertive outreach approach to provide thorough assessments, coordination, and clinical interventions tailored for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges.

What we offer:

• Specialised Mental Health Support: Our team delivers intensive, specialised interventions and assessments for those in need of high-intensity treatment.
• Access to Services: We connect you to a wide range of clinical and non- clinical services to help you build or reclaim a meaningful life.
• Empowerment and Independence: We work closely with you to foster a sense of self-efficacy, establish personal support systems, and promote independent living in the community.

Our holistic care coordination includes comprehensive assessments and recovery planning, addressing various factors that influence your health, such as social support, substance use, income, education, and coping skills.

Who is eligible?
Any individual aged 18 and over within the NWHHS is eligible for HHOT support.

How to get Referrals
You can reach out to us through several referral channels:

• Self-referral: Current and former clients, as well as new individuals seeking our services.
• Family/Carer referral: Family members or caregivers of someone who may benefit from our support.
• Internal referrals: From North West HHS Emergency Departments, hospital outpatient facilities, paediatricians, or any mental health services.
• External referrals: Through General Practitioners (GPs), Child Protection Services, Guidance Officers, or other governmental and non-governmental organisations.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to support you on your journey toward stability and recovery.

If you or a family member are facing challenges related to alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use, the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Services (ATODS) are here to help. Our multidisciplinary team, which includes nurses, allied health professionals, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community workers, a psychiatrist, and administrative staff, is dedicated to supporting informed choices for healthier living.

What we offer:
ATODS provides a comprehensive range of public health and clinical interventions aimed at reducing the risks and harms associated with substance use. Our services include:

• Assessment: A clinician will conduct a triage assessment to understand your concerns and develop a personalised management plan.
• Ambulatory Alcohol Withdrawal Management: Support for individuals experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
• Brief Intervention and Counselling: Tailored support to assist individual to connect themselves, to their community and things that matter to them.
• Diversionary and Early Intervention Programs: Strategies to prevent harms related to substance use.
• Education and Group Therapy: Opportunities for learning and shared experiences.
• Family Support: We support family and loved ones of people who substances. We know that person using substances is not always ready for help.
• Needle & Syringe Program & Harm Reduction: Free Sterile injecting equipment to reduce the risk associate with injecting drug use.
• Public Health Promotion: Community initiatives aimed at promoting overall health.
• Opiate Treatment Program: Specialised support for opiate dependency.

Who is eligible?
Any individual experiencing issues related to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs is eligible for ATODS support.

How to get Referrals
You can access our services through several referral channels:

• Self-referral: current and former consumers of the service, and those seeking to access the service for the first time.
• Internal referral: any North West HHS Emergency Department, hospital outpatient facility, Paediatrician or Acute or non-acute mental health service.
• External referral: General Practitioner (GP), Child Protection Service, Guidance Officer or other Government/Non-Government agencies.

Consumer and Health Promotion

At MHATODS, our Health Promotion and Consumer Engagement Officer is here to support you and your loved ones. They work hard to ensure that your voices are heard in our services and advocate for your needs. Whether you're looking for support or resources, they’ll help you navigate the options available. Plus, they’re dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in the community and partnering with local organisations to make sure our programs truly reflect what you and your community need. Your well-being is our priority!

Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Our Suicide Prevention and Aftercare service is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive pathway for those in need. Using the Zero Suicide in Healthcare (ZSiHC) Framework, we provide effective, evidence-based support to help individuals on their journey. We also focus on training our staff to enhance patient safety and continuously improve our services. Together, we’re working to ensure that everyone has the care and resources they need to prevent suicide and promote lasting wellness. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities.

Tackling Regional Adversity through Connected Communities (TRACC) Program

The TRACC Clinician program is here to support you through the mental health challenges brought on by drought, disasters, and crises. We focus on breaking down stigma, making it easier for you to access care, and strengthening community resilience. Our efforts include connecting you with the right support, raising awareness about these issues, training local workers, and helping communities prepare for future challenges. We're committed to ensuring that you have the resources and support you need during tough times.

Court Liaison

Our Court Liaison Officer is here to help individuals in the watch house by providing mental health screenings, advice, and referrals to the right support. They also prepare important reports, like Soundness of Mind and Fitness for Trial, for those appearing in magistrate’s court. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone receives the care and support they need during this challenging time.

MHATODS Service Booklet

MHATODS Service Brochure

ATODS Brochure