What is the Stepped Care program?

The Mental Health Stepped Care program delivers mental health support to people that is tailored to their needs. People may be “stepped up and down” through different levels of care within the service, guided by their needs.

What does the service offer?

The Mental Health Stepped Care service provides short-medium term supports, assisting the person to develop a care plan, in order to ensure they are receiving the right services and supports according to their individual need.
Services provided may include a combination of one-on-one support, group support and care co- ordination, delivered by multi-disciplinary teams including peer support workers, psychologists, mental health nurses, counsellors, social workers, welfare workers and occupational therapists.
The program emphasises collaborative care working with the GPs, care teams and significant others when appropriate.
The service also addresses other needs including physical health, education and employment, alcohol and other drug harm reduction, family and social functioning.

Who can access the Stepped Care program?

The Stepped Care program supports people of all ages. To be eligible for this program, the person must:

require support to manage mental health concerns
live, work or study in, or have strong links to the eastern and north-eastern Melbourne area (EMPHN’s catchment)
be unable to afford or access similar services.

People can self-refer or be referred by a healthcare professional such as their doctor.

Stepped Care mental health services:

The following services deliver stepped care mental health supports for people of all ages experiencing a range of mental health issues, from mild to severe. Care is tailored to address the person’s current needs.

North East Melbourne:

Stepped Care North East, delivered by Banyule Community Health, for people who live, work or study in Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Banyule and parts of Mitchell and Murrindindi.

Inner East Melbourne:

Steps Inner East, delivered by Access Health and Community, and Health Ability, for people who live, work or study in Manningham, Boroondara, Whitehorse, and Monash. See resource.

Outer East Melbourne:

Steps Outer East, delivered by Access Health and Community, Health Ability, and Inspiro Community Health, for people who live, work or study in Maroondah, Knox, and Yarra Ranges. See resource.

See further Stepped Care resources

Stepped Care mental health services

EMPHN Mental Health SupportConnect team