Assistance

Assistance

Bipolar disorder is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by severe and unusual shifts in energy, mood and activity levels. Family and friends can be really important if you are in crisis or recovery. Ask for them to be involved, unless there are reasons for them not to be.

Alternately, everybody feels down or sad at times. But it’s important to be able to recognise when depression has become more than a temporary thing, and when to seek help.

If you have experienced an episode of mania or hypomania, it’s best to seek professional help as soon as possible. It may indicate that you have bipolar disorder, which, if left untreated, will likely involve further episodes of mania or hypomania. Bipolar disorder is not an illness which goes away of its own accord but which often needs long-term treatment.

A good first place to start in getting help is to visit your local general practitioner (GP). Let him or her know if you think you might have depression or bipolar disorder. Your GP will either conduct an assessment of you, or refer you to someone else, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

If you are having trouble tracking down such a GP, you could telephone general practices in your area to find out whether any doctors in that practice have a particularly strong interest in mental health and, if so, whether they are taking on new patients. (Ask to speak to the practice manager.)

If you are in an extreme situation it is strongly advised that you call a CAT team (Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team).

CAT Teams

Cat Teams provide emergency help during a mental health crisis. Experiencing or caring for someone during a mental health crisis can be frightening but help is available 24 hours a day.

A CAT team is a group of people who work together and includes mental health professionals such as psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists. A CAT Team responds to urgent requests to help people in mental health crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

CAT Teams are based in major hospitals. In some parts of Australia they are called Psychiatric Emergency Teams (PET). CAT Teams also work with other services such as police, ambulance, alcohol and drug services, child protection and community services where necessary.

Dandenong CAT Team

Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 1300 369 012

This service covers Greater Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia and Frankston-East

Community Service Building Adult and ELMHS Mental Health

145 – 151 Cleeland Street, Dandenong 3175.

Ph: 1300 369 012

AH: 1300 369 012

Inner Urban East CAT Team

Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 1300 558 862

 This service covers: Yarra and Boroondara

 St. Vincent’s hospital Psychiatric Triage

Emergency Care Centre

41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065

Ph: 1300 558 862

AH: 1300 558 862

Mid West CAT team

Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 1300 874 243

This service covers: Melton and Brimbank

Adult Community Service Sunshine and Melton Community Teams

4A Devonshire Road, Sunshine 3020

Ph: (03) 9288 7000

AH: 1300 874 243

North East CAT Team

Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 1300 859 789

This service covers: Nillumbik and Banyule

North East Mobile Support and Treatment Service

77 Hawdon Street, Heidelberg 3084

Ph: (03) 9496 6586

AH: 1300 859 789 (North East CAT) or (03) 9496 5000 (Austin Hospital)

Northern CAT Team

Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 1300 874 243

This service covers: Whittlesea and Darebin

Community Team North

185 Cooper Street, Epping 3076

Ph: (03) 9408 9510

AH: 1300 874 243

Community Team Central/South

83 Hotham Street, Preston South 3072

Ph: (03) 9416 6300

AH: 1300 874 243

Peninsula CAT Team

Psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,

Telephone: 1300 792 977

This service covers: Mornington Pensinsula and French Island, Kingston-South and Frankston-West

Peninsula Health Mental Health Service

Frankston Hospital, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston 3199

Ph: (Initial Contact/Referral): 1300 792 977

Ph: (Administration): (03) 9784 7105

AH: 1300 792 977