Mental Health Services
Counselling
Dhelkaya Health offers counselling for adults, youth and children.
We believe you have the ability to make positive changes in your life, and our counsellors can assist you on your journey towards this change.
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space to explore a range of life topics.
To get started, we’ll discuss your current needs and circumstances. From here, an appointment for a more in-depth assessment will be made for you. You’ll then go on the waitlist for a counsellor.
Please keep in mind that waiting times can several months.
This is a free service, providing short-term counselling primarily focusing on current or presenting issues.
A Mental Health Care Plan referral from your GP is required to access our Mental Health Social Worker and Children’s Mental Health Service. A mental health plan is not required to access generalist counselling.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselling
We offer free Alcohol and Other Drugs counselling services to people affected by substance abuse.
If you want to cut down, withdraw, or are affected by a loved one using alcohol or other drugs, our counsellors can assist you.
Our services cover a spectrum of issues facing people affected by substance use and include:
- advocacy
- personal support
- strategies for change
- someone to trust with the more complex issues
- hope for a more positive future.
We work in cooperation with other service providers to give you the best chance of recovery such as:
- GPs
- withdrawal nurses
- community mental health services
Referrals can also be made to detox units and rehabilitation facilities.
Our AOD workers can also provide assessments and letters of support if you are facing court on AOD-related matters.Â
To access this service
Contact the Dhelkaya Health AOD Counselling team directly via email at AODreferral@castlemainehealth.org.au or call us on 5479 1000 Monday to Friday.Â
You can also contact the Australian Community Support Organisation (ASCO) by accessing the referral forms on their website and asking to be linked into Dhelkaya Health services.
Needle and Syringe Exchange Program
Our Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) is a harm minimisation program that aims to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C among people who inject drugs, as well as prevention amongst the wider community.
We have a range of needles and syringes on hand, as well as sterile water, swabs, filters and disposal units. We also offer a safe place to dispose of used syringes.
To access this free service, you can ask our team at Reception, or you can pick up an NSEP card and show it to the receptionist to indicate that you require this service. NB: There is a small fee for wheel filters and sterile water.
An after-hours disposal bin for syringe disposal is located near the main entrance to the Castlemaine Campus at 142 Cornish Street. The disposal bin is accessible seven days per week.
Drop-off parking spaces are available next to the disposal bin.
Rural Withdrawal Service
The Rural Withdrawal Service supports people of any age needing information, support and supervision to withdraw from substance abuse.
Firstly, an assessment will be conducted where you will receive information on the right detox rehabilitation option for you. This may include withdrawal at home, in the hospital or a detox unit. You can also discuss the suitability of other services for detox rehabilitation that are available.
The Rural Withdrawal Service is a free service available to people of all ages. To access this service, contact us to make an appointment for assessment with the Withdrawal Nurse.
To access this service
Contact ACSO on 1300 022 760 to arrange an intake interview and ask to be referred to us.Â
Creative Arts Therapy
The Creative Arts Therapies Pilot program provides art therapy for individuals aged 13 to 65 experiencing mental health challenges.
All new clients are assessed using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST), a specialist assessment tool for people with mental health conditions.
Clients are then invited to take part in closed group sessions, which use art-making to help build connections, develop coping strategies and support recovery goals. An open group community art therapy studio is also available.
The program’s trauma-informed, person-centred and strengths-based frameworks support holistic therapeutic plans to enhance overall wellbeing and support recovery.
Clients have access to a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who provide unique therapeutic interventions tailored to individual needs, ensuring comprehensive care for everyone.
