About

Mental Health Community Support Services (MH CSS) are non-clinical recovery focused psychosocial wraparound support services delivered one-to-one, peer-to-peer or group-based depending on the person’s recovery needs.

They are underpinned by:

  • local Hospital and Health Services (HHS) mental health teams providing clinical care and treatment as required
  • non-government organisations (NGOs) specialising in mental health providing psychosocial supports.

MH CSS are a critical component along the mental health continuum of care that enable people to live well in the community.

The supports may be provided through individual, group and community programs. The supports help people:

  • manage the effects of their illness
  • engage effectively in daily activities
  • address physical health goals
  • build and maintain social connections and social skills
  • participate in employment and education

Queensland Health has contractual arrangements with NGOs for the delivery of MH CSS.

Individual Recovery Support Program

The Individual Recovery Support Program (IRSP) (PDF 796 kB) is for people:

  • experiencing a severe mental illness
  • aged 18 years and over
  • are accessing—or recently (within the last three months) accessed—mental health clinical care through a HHS and have been referred by the HHS.

Priority is given to those ineligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

NGOs deliver non-clinical psychosocial wraparound support on a one-on-one basis, including peer-to-peer support in the person’s local community. Support is structured, purposeful and tailored to meet their recovery needs and goals.

IRSP will link to group-based peer-led activities through the Group Based Peer Recovery Support Program.

Group Based Peer Recovery Support Program

The Group Based Peer Recovery Support Program (GBPRSP) (PDF 796 kB) is for people:

  • experiencing a severe mental illness
  • aged 18 years and over
  • referred by—and accessing—the Individual Recovery Support Program.

GBPRSP gives people access to group-based peer-led activities complementary to the support provided through the IRSP.

Activities are led and self-managed by peer workers,  and aim to empower and support the person by working through group processes and sharing life experiences with others who have similar experiences.

It also helps develop support networks for crisis situations.

Individual Recovery Support -Transition from Correctional Facilities Program

The Individual Recovery Support –Transition from Correctional Facilities Program (IRS -TCFP) (PDF 812 kB) is for people:

  • experiencing a severe mental illness
  • aged 18 years and over
  • about to be released from a Queensland adult correctional facility and have been referred by Prison Mental Health Service.

The IRS-TCFP offers non-clinical psychosocial wraparound support to a person at least 2 weeks prior to release—when the date is known—from the correctional facility and for up to 12 months post-release.

Individual at Risk of Homelessness Program

The Individual at Risk of Homelessness Program (IRHP) (PDF 791 kB) is for people:

  • experiencing a severe mental illness
  • aged 18 years and over
  • living in a boarding house, crisis accommodation or hostel
  • accessing—or have recently (within the last 3 months) accessed—clinical care through a HHS and have been referred by the HHS.

IRHP offers non-clinical psychosocial wraparound support focussed on breaking the cycle of homelessness. It supports people to transition to secure and stable tenancy and housing.

View the list of Non-government organisations (PDF 296 kB) service providers.

There are a number of specialist and statewide support supports that are an important component of the mental health system. These services respond to specialist vulnerable populations. For some of these, referrals are not limited to the Hospital and Health Services.

View the list of Specialist and statewide programs (PDF 314 kB) to find providers.

Contact us

Email MHCSS@healthqld.gov.au for more information about the programs. Please note this email is not linked to and does not provide a clinical service.

If you're struggling with your mental health, help is available.

Whether you’re looking for mental health support for yourself, someone you care about, or just trying to improve your wellbeing , Head to Health is a good place to start.

1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) is a confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact to Queensland Health mental health services.

You can also call the following crisis and support helplines, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.

Last updated: 5 September 2024