APS response to the National Early Intervention Service Draft Delivery Model

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has long advocated for prevention and low intensity interventions approaches to mental health, so we are delighted that the express aim of the National Early Intervention Service (NEIS) is to prevent the development of mental health disorders that require more intensive, and possibly longer-term, treatment.

We agree that the NEIS should be targeted at people who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, mild mental ill health and transient distress. The current target population is appropriate and the NEIS should be funded to ensure that it is available to as broad a population as possible.

To ensure that the proposed draft service delivery model aligns with the NEIS objectives, adequate funding is imperative. Further, it is essential that there are clearly articulated policies, processes and procedures to support:

• Integration with other services and linkages with the entire mental health system including state and federal programs and initiatives,   
• Clients who escalate and require a crisis response, and
• NEIS clients facing long waiting lists for referral to an appropriate service, or worse, no available options for referral.

The APS is keen to continue to work with the Government to support the design and implementation of the NEIS.

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