Brief Intervention Service (BIS)

Our Mental Health BIS provides short-term intervention to clients over the age of 24 years with mild to moderate mental health issues. 

This service is funded and so free to you. 

Our BIS clinicians are registered health professionals, with the skills and experience to assist clients in need of short-term, mental well-being support including for stress, anxiety, depression and concerns about alcohol and other drugs. 

Accessing BIS

Your Primary Care Practitioner will refer you to one of our Brief Intervention Service clinicians. 

Please note you may be required to undergo a brief assessment by phone or at an initial appointment to determine that our service is right for you. 

Telehealth options – via phone or video – are available in most cases. 

What happens after I am referred?

Once the referral has been received, you will be contacted by one of the clinical team within 2 weeks. This may be a letter informing you that your referral has been received.  

The clinician will contact and discuss the referral with you and identify supports that you may require.  

The clinician who contacts you can discuss the most appropriate follow-up options for you, which could include:

• Self-help options including e therapy
• Telephone support 
• Referral to a more appropriate service 
• Advice around alternative follow up options, which could include private counselling or Employee assistance programs 
• Face to Face appointments - Waiting times to be seen by a clinician can vary from 1-2 months 

If counselling with our team is appropriate for you, most people find 3 to 5 sessions are enough to make meaningful progress, but the number of sessions will depend on your needs and situation. Your counsellor will work with you to decide what’s right for you, every step of the way.

Is there any support before I get to speak to a clinician?

There is a wide range of online and telephone support services. 

These are listed on our Look After Yourself (resource below) along with some tips to help you look after yourself including: 

• Get enough sleep.
• Eat healthy meals and snacks.
• Set reasonable limits on the time spent watching TV, using social media, or playing electronic games.

Our While you wait (resource below) has further ideas.