Older Adult Mental Health Services (65+)
The Aged Persons Mental Health Service at GV Health provides holistic, specialist mental health treatment, care and support for older people experiencing mental health challenges.
We work with older people and the people who support them to understand what is happening and find the right care. Our multidisciplinary team provides assessment, case management, acute care and psychogeriatric nursing home care, delivered with dignity, respect and an understanding of the needs of older people.
We work closely with GPs, families, carers, aged care providers and community services to make sure older people receive the right support at the right time.
Mental health care in Victoria is provided under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022. This law is built around supporting your recovery, involving you in decisions about your care, and using the least restrictive options possible. You have the right to be heard, to be informed, and to have the people who matter to you involved.
This page explains your rights and the choices available to you, and points you to trusted Victorian services that can support you to understand and use them. You never have to work through these things on your own – support is always available.
Who is this service for?
This service provides specialist mental health treatment and care for eligible people:
- aged over 65 years
- under 65 years, if they have an age-related condition.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over may also be supported by the service.
We support people living in:
- Greater Shepparton
- Strathbogie
- Mitchell
- Murrindindi
- Moira (part)
If you are unsure whether our service is right for you or the person you care for, you can contact Mental Health Triage for advice.
What kinds of concerns can the service help with?
Our team supports older people experiencing mental health challenges, including:
- depression or ongoing low mood
- anxiety or overwhelming worry
- mental health conditions that have developed later in life
- long-standing mental health conditions
- psychiatric or behavioural changes associated with dementia
- confusion, memory or thinking changes affecting mental health
- grief, loss and major life changes
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Changes in mental health are not a normal or unavoidable part of getting older. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, support is available.
How does the service support older people?
Our team works with you to understand what is happening and explore the best ways to support recovery and wellbeing.
Support may include:
- Listening and understanding
- Taking time to understand each person’s experiences, history, strengths and goals.
- Comprehensive assessment
- Assessing mental health, including how physical health, medications and memory may be involved.
- Treatment and therapy
- Providing holistic treatment, therapy and medication support suited to the needs of older people.
- Case management and continuing care
- Working with you over time and coordinating your care and supports.
- Acute care
- Providing more intensive care and treatment when it is needed.
- Psychogeriatric residential care
- Specialist mental health care for older people living in residential aged care settings.
- Family and carer inclusion
- Involving and supporting the people who care for you, with your consent.
Who works in the service?
Our multidisciplinary team works together to support older people and their families, and may include:
- Psychiatrists (including specialists in older persons’ mental health)
- Mental health nurses
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Occupational therapists
- Lived and living experience (peer) workers
Our team combines professional expertise with lived experience perspectives to provide respectful, person-centred care.
Where does the service operate?
The Aged Persons Mental Health Service provides support through:
- Community-based assessment and treatment
- Acute inpatient care
- Care in residential aged care settings
- Collaboration with other GV Health services and community supports
The service is based at the Centre for Older Persons Health, 91–99 Knight Street, Shepparton.
How does the service work with GPs and other services?
We work closely with the people and services that support older people, including:
- GPs
- Hospitals and community health services
- Residential aged care and home care providers
- Dementia and cognitive support services
- Aboriginal community-controlled organisations
- Other health and wellbeing services
We can also provide secondary consultation for professionals and aged care staff supporting older people with complex needs.
How do I access the service?
All referrals are made through Mental Health Triage.
Mental Health Triage
1300 369 005
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Older people, families, carers, GPs, aged care providers and other services can all contact Triage. A trained clinician will talk with you, offer advice and help access the right service.
For general enquiries, you can also contact the Centre for Older Persons Health on (03) 5823 6000.
When should I seek help?
It can be hard to know when an older person may need extra support. You may want to seek help if you notice changes that are worrying, persistent, or affecting daily life.
Some signs that extra support may be helpful include:
- ongoing sadness, anxiety or withdrawal
- loss of interest in people or activities they used to enjoy
- changes in mood, sleep, appetite or energy
- confusion, memory changes or difficulty coping day to day
- increased distress, agitation or changes in behaviour
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- struggling after a loss, illness or major life change.
You do not need to wait until things become unmanageable. It is always okay to reach out for advice. You can contact Mental Health Triage on 1300 369 005 to discuss your concerns.
What happens after a referral?
Once a referral is made through Mental Health Triage, the following steps usually occur:
- Initial conversation
A clinician will talk with you to understand the concerns and current needs.
- Review and assessment
The referral is reviewed to determine the most appropriate service and support.
- Contact from the service
If the referral is accepted, a member of the team will make contact to arrange next steps.
- First appointment
The first meeting usually focuses on getting to know the person and their family, understanding the concerns, and exploring what supports may help.
- Planning support together
The team works with the older person and their family to develop a treatment and support plan.
Sometimes another service may be better suited to provide support. If this happens, our team will help guide you to the most appropriate service.
What can older people and families expect?
Every person’s journey is different, but care usually involves:
- Respect and dignity
- Older people are treated with respect, and their life experience and preferences are valued.
- Working together on decisions
- Older people are involved in decisions about their care, treatment and recovery.
- Person-centred and holistic care
- Care considers the whole person — mental health, physical health, memory and social connection.
- Family and carer inclusion
- Families and carers are recognised as an important part of care and wellbeing, with the person’s consent.
- Coordination with other supports
- We work with GPs, aged care providers and community services to keep care connected.
Resources and useful links
Older adults mental health services (Victoria)
Information about specialist mental health services for older people.
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services/older-adults
Dementia Australia / National Dementia Helpline
Information, support and advice about dementia. P: 1800 100 500 (24/7)
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
Free, independent advocacy for older people accessing aged care services. P: 1800 700 600
Carer Gateway
Australia-wide support and services for carers. P: 1800 422 737
https://www.carergateway.gov.au/
Beyond Blue
Mental health information and support. P: 1300 22 4636
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Head to Health / Medicare Mental Health
Free advice and connection to mental health services. P: 1800 595 212
https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/
Tandem
Support and advocacy for families and carers of people experiencing mental health challenges.
https://www.tandemcarers.org.au/
Lifeline
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention. P: 13 11 14
What if I need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 now.
For urgent mental health advice or support, call: GV Health Mental Health Triage
1300 369 005
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
You can also contact:
- Lifeline — 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis support)
- Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
If you need an interpreter, let staff know and one can be arranged.
- ADDRESS
Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Service
Monash Street
Shepparton, 3630
Beta Street
Seymour, 3660
- CONTACT
- REFERRALS
For referrals please contact Mental Health triage 1300 369 005