Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)

What is the ATAPS Program?

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.  ATAPS provides a high quality mental health service for people who have mental health concerns.  ATAPS is ideally suited to individuals unable to access and/or afford other private and public mental health services.  The services provided by ATAPS are delivered by qualified mental health practitioners using Focused Psychological Strategies to help clients deal with what is happening in their lives.

What does it cost and who fits the eligibility criteria?

ATAPS offers free services to residents in the Rockhampton, Capricorn Coast and Gladstone areas.  Programs offered include the General ATAPS Program (for mild to moderate mental health concerns), Perinatal Depression, trauma experienced as a result of Extreme Climatic Events, and the Suicide Prevention Service.  For all of these programs, eligibility criteria apply.

How can an ATAPS mental health practitioner help you?

At some time in our lives we all experience situations and emotions that are hard to understand and deal with.  ATAPS Programs are designed for individuals who feel overwhelmed or who are finding it difficult to cope with mental health issues.  Some problems that our mental health practitioners can help you manage include (but are not limited to):

• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Phobic disorders
• Generalised anxiety
• Adjustment disorder
• Unexplained somatic complaints
• Eating disorders
• Sexual disorders
• Bereavement disorder
• Alcohol and drug use disorders
• Panic disorder
• Sleep problems

GENERAL ATAPS

The ATAPS program offers assistance with finding a way through difficult times, and to help individuals learn the skills needed to deal with future problems.  If you have a mental health concern that is of mild to moderate severity, this program may be for you.

Who is eligible?

• School students over 11 years of age
• TAFE and University students
• Adults who are unwaged
• People who receive a Centrelink allowance, pension, or hold a valid Health Care Card
• Individuals experiencing financial hardship who cannot afford private services

How do I access this program?

Access to this program is only available by a referral from your General Practitioner.

How many sessions will I get?

Up to 6 individual sessions and 12 group sessions per calendar year are available initially with more upon a review by your General Practitioner.  Appointments are usually for up to 60 minutes in duration.

PERINATAL DEPRESSION

While pregnancy, childbirth and raising children can bring great joy, it can also be a time of doubt, stress and grief.  Our perinatal depression program is designed to help women who are experiencing perinatal depression, and their partners and family, to better manage this type of emotional distress.

Who is eligible?

• Women who are currently pregnant, or who are finding it hard to cope in the first 12 months after the birth of their baby. 
• Partners and family members are also welcome.

How do I access this program?

You can call the ATAPS Co-ordinator on 4921 7718 for an assessment for yourself, or ask your Paediatrician, Midwife, Obstetrician, Child/Maternity Health Nurse, local Mental Health Service, private Health Practitioner or General Practitioner to provide you with a referral to this program.

Please note:  You can receive assistance for two weeks after which you will need to see your General Practitioner to continue access to this service.

How many sessions will I get?

Individual sessions can be as often as you require with flexible contact options for mums who find it difficult to get to appointments.  Group therapy can be provided for up to 12 weeks.  Appointments are usually for up to 60 minutes in duration.

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS

Recently Queensland sustained extensive damage from bushfires, flooding and cyclone.  If you experienced significant distress or are still feeling the effects from the loss and trauma associated with these environmental disasters, it may be worthwhile engaging with this program.

Who is eligible?

• Anyone affected by these disasters with significant feelings of distress and anxiety and who are at risk of developing a mental health disorder

How do I access this program?

You can call the ATAPS Co-ordinator on 4921 7718 for an assessment.  Referrals will also be accepted from Health Practitioners (i.e., Centrelink Social Workers, local Mental Health Practitioners) and General Practitioners.

Please note:  You can receive assistance for two weeks after which you will need to see your General Practitioner to continue access to this service.

How many sessions will I get?

The number of sessions available will be based on your clinical needs.  Appointments are usually for up to 60 minutes in duration.

SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICE

Sometimes life seems unbearable and emotions can cloud our judgement.  If you have ongoing thoughts about suicide, have attempted suicide, or you self-harm, our Suicide Prevention Service may be able to provide the assistance you need to help you cope with your distress.

Who is eligible?

• People who after a suicide attempt or self-harm incident, have been discharged into the care of a General Practitioner from hospital, or released into the care of a General Practitioner from an Emergency Department
• People who have presented to a General Practitioner after an incident of self-harm
• People who have expressed strong suicidal ideation to their General Practitioner
• People who are considered at increased risk in the aftermath of a suicide

How do I access this program?

Referrals are accepted from General Practitioners, Hospital Wards including the Emergency Department, local Mental Health Services or your current Mental Health Practitioner.

How many sessions will I get?

The number of sessions is not limited but this program is designed to support people for two months on any single referral.  There is no limit on the number of referrals to this program during the calendar year.  Appointments are usually for up to 60 minutes in duration.

Sessions will be a blend of face-to-face appointments with a Mental Health Practitioner as well as telephone support through the Crisis Support Service for after hours assistance.  Up to 12 weeks of group therapy can also be provided.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, please see your General Practitioner or call the Acute Care Team at the Central Queensland Mental Health Service on

          4920 6100     Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast

          4976 3244     Gladstone.

Services provided under the ATAPS Suicide Prevention Service have no impact on your entitlement to Medicare subsidised allied mental health services.

You may also call the Suicide Call Back Service for after-hours assistance prior to engaging with this program on 1800 859 555.

If you are a current client of the ATAPS Suicide Prevention Service, you should call the ATAPS After-Hours Suicide Support Line on 1800 859 585 available Monday to Friday from 5.00 pm to 9.00 am, and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.

AVAILABLE ONLINE TREATMENTS AND SUPPORT

The Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression Clinic (CRUfADclinic)

CRUfADclinic provides online treatment programs freely available through Allied Health Professionals and General Practitioners.  This program allows Mental Health Professionals and General Practitioners to provide evidence-based online treatment programs as a valuable adjunct to other systems of treatment.

CRUfADclinic offers 5 online courses that General Practitioners and Allied Health Providers can prescribe for individuals who are seeking treatment for anxiety and depression.  Courses are designed to be largely self-guided so that individuals can progress at their own pace and gain insight and knowledge into their condition.  All material is based on the latest research on each condition and has been written by professionals with years of experience in the field.

To get started on CRUfADclinic, clients will need to have:

• Access to the internet
• A valid email address
• Have read the Frequently Asked Questions on www.crufadclinic.org
• Have downloaded and read the "How to Guide"
• Have downloaded the technical requirements

For more information, please talk to your General Practitioner or the ATAPS Co-ordinator on 4921 7718.

The National e-Therapy Unit

The National e-Therapy Unit at the Swinburne University of Technology has developed a full suite of e-therapy programs for anxiety disorders in both automated and therapist-assisted forms.  Anxiety Online is a comprehensive online mental health service offering information, assessment, online diagnosis and treatment programs for anxiety disorders.

The automated programs are most suitable for those with a mild to moderate anxiety disorder.  There is also a low cost therapist-assisted program which is suitable for most people who have a moderate to severe anxiety disorder with assistance in the form of weekly email communication.  This form of treatment has been proven more effective than purely self-help programs.

Anxiety Online comprises three main areas:

1. High quality information and resources are provided to enable clients to gain a comprehensive understanding of anxiety generally, and of anxiety disorders specifically.

2. The online psychological assessment program (e-PASS) enables clients to complete a comprehensive psychological assessment online and obtain an online diagnosis.  This assessment will provide feedback as to the type and severity of your anxiety, and appropriate recommendations for addressing any anxiety problems you may be experiencing.

3. Comprehensive and effective treatment programs are available for treating anxiety disorders (Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder).

Anxiety Online can be accessed at www.anxietyonline.org.au.

The Centre for Mental Health Research

The Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University has developed and provides online self help treatment through the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in a suite of online modules such as MoodGYM, BlueBoard, BluePages and e-couch.  These programs are targeted at youth and adults.

MoodGYM is an innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent depression.  It consists of five modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment.  Using diagrams and online exercises, MoodGYM teaches the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - a proven treatment for depression.  It also demonstrates the relationship between thoughts and emotions, and works through dealing with stress and relationship break-ups, as well as teaching relaxation and meditation techniques.

MoodGYM was developed as a training program to help prevent depression in young people.  All information provided by MoodGYM users is kept confidential and the Centre for Mental Health Research is under a legal obligation to protect the integrity of personal information.

BlueBoard is an online community for people suffering from depression or anxiety, their friends and carers, and for those who are concerned that they may have depression or anxiety and want some support.  This bulletin board is designed to enable people to reach out and both offer and receive help.

BluePages provides information on treatments for depression based on the latest scientific evidence.  BluePages also offers screening tests for depression and anxiety, a depression search engine, and links to other helpful resources.

e-couch is a self help interactive program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety and worry, relationship breakdown, social anxiety, grief and loss.  It teaches strategies drawn from Cognitive, Behaviour, and Interpersonal Therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity.

More information can be found at www.ehub.anu.edu.au

Black Dog Institute is currently running a research project using the myCompass Program, a newly developed internet and mobile phone based program, to learn how different situations affect people and how to stay positive despite life's ups and downs.

The myCompass program is designed to help clients understand their stress, worry and/or low mood and to manage it better.  As part of this 19 week research project, clients will be asked to use a version of the myCompass program for 7 weeks in their own time.  This will give access to useful information and activities that will help clients learn new skills to feel better and stay better.

Clients will receive feedback about their stress, worry or low mood at the end of the 19 week research study.  Within the research project, clients will be asked to complete questionnaires about how they are feeling on three occasions:

• Before they start using the program
• After seven weeks, when they have finished using myCompass; and
• twelve weeks later.

Clients can take part if they:

• Are aged 18-75 and live in Australia
• Are feeling stressed, worried or low
• Have an internet enabled mobile phone
• Have access to a computer with an internet connection
• Have a valid email address
• Agree to use the myCompass program for seven weeks and complete three research questionnaires over 19 weeks.

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