Medicare Mental Health Check In is a new digital service which offers free evidence-based and confidential support to help people manage mild mental health challenges, like stress, anxiety and low mood.
As a form of early intervention support, it helps people build practical skills, confidence, and improve their mental health through Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT).
The service can support people by teaching skills to help them manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, helping with:
• facing fears
• lifting their moods
• managing worries
• finding solutions to problems
• sleeping well
• staying well
• balanced thinking
People work through the tools independently, and if they need support, they can choose to be guided by a qualified mental health practitioner via telehealth.
Qualified mental health practitioners are trained to deliver LiCBT.
They have qualifications as counsellors, social workers, psychologists, registered nurses and occupational therapists.
Who is Medicare Mental Health Check In for?
Medicare Mental Health Check In is a free service for people aged 16 and over living in Australia, with no GP referral or diagnosis needed.
You do not need to be an Australian citizen to access the service.
The service is most appropriate for mild or early-stage mental health challenges. It may suit people who are struggling in their day-to-day lives and would benefit from early support, rather than high-intensity care.
You can recommend Medicare Mental Health Check In to people showing mild mental health symptoms, such as low moods, anxiety, stress or feeling overwhelmed.
It is not suitable for moderate to severe mental illness or people in crisis, and it is not intended to replace clinical assessment, diagnosis or ongoing therapy for more complex or severe mental health conditions.
Video: Dr Walid Jammal explains the service
How your patients can access the service
Talk to your patients about the service and, if it’s appropriate for their needs, you can encourage them to call Medicare Mental Health (1800 595 212) or visit mentalhealthcheckin.gov.au for more information.
Medicare Mental Health will determine if Medicare Mental Health Check In is right for them. If it isn’t the right fit, they will be connected to a more suitable service, so they don’t have to repeat their story.
Download this poster for your waiting areaTranslated resources
A range of translated resources about Medicare Mental Health Check In, including the consumer fact sheet and posters, are available via www.mentalhealthcheckin.gov.au/resources-other-languages.
Resources are available in 10 languages including: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Filipino, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese.
A guide is available to support you in having conversations about mental health with people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Download the Health professionals guideMore information
To find out more about Medicare Mental Health Check In:
• visit mentalhealthcheckin.gov.au
• call 1800 595 212 (8.30am to 5pm weekdays excluding public holidays)
Medicare Mental Health Check In is part of the broader Medicare Mental Health services, which includes:
• the national website (medicarementalhealth.gov.au)
• Medicare Mental Health phone service (1800 595 212)
• Medicare Mental Health Centres
• Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs
The service is funded by the Australian Government and delivered in partnership with St Vincent’s Health Australia.