Acute mental health services

Eligibility to access Monash Health mental health services is based on geographic region.

We offer both bed based (inpatient) and community-based services.

Emergency psychiatric services

Psychiatric Triage Services

This is one of the main access points to mental health services, where consumers, families and carers, and health professionals can discuss the need for specialist mental health services for people residing in our service area. Please see Victoria’s Mental Health Services Directory link below.

Psychiatric Triage Service takes referrals for people aged between 18 and 64 during business hours, and all age groups after hours including weekend and public holidays. They can be contacted on phone 1300 369 012, fax 9554 1985 or email psych.triage@monashhealth.org. 

Early in Life Mental Health Services (ELMHS) provides a triage service for people aged 0-17 between 830am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. They can be contacted on 1300 360 012 (press option 3) or email iACTAccess@monashhealth.org. 

Older Adult Mental Health Services provide a triage service to people aged 65 years and older, from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. They can be contacted on 9265 1750 or email apmhstriage@monashhealth.org.  More information on this site: Older Adult Mental Health Services | Monash Health

There is also an option for people to attend their nearest Emergency Department, to be seen by mental health clinicians for assessment and referral to other services, such as Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams or admission to acute psychiatric inpatient units as appropriate. 

Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams

We offer extended hours community-based and 24-hour emergency department-based assessment and treatment of mental illness, and can organise access to acute psychiatric inpatient units at Monash Medical Centre Clayton, Dandenong Hospital and Casey Hospital.

Inpatient services

Acute psychiatric inpatient units

We provide assessment, treatment and high quality care to people experiencing mental health problems.

These services are provided through four inpatient units:

  • P Block at Monash Medical Centre Clayton
  • Unit 1 at Dandenong Hospital
  • Unit 2 at Dandenong Hospital
  • Ward E at Casey Hospital

Specialist inpatient services including:

Mother and Baby Unit

Specialist inpatient service provision is available to all of South East Victoria. Access to these inpatient services is through health professional referral to 9594 1414.

Six psychiatric inpatient beds and cots are provided for mothers and babies at the Monash Medical Centre (with associated community-based provision of mother/infant and postnatal depression services).

The Mother/Baby Unit inpatient program offers specialised assessment and management of women with psychiatric illness in the post natal period. Non-toddling infants, up to 12-months of age are admitted with their mothers. A multidisciplinary team within a bio-psycho-social model focuses on the psychiatric care of the mother, the emotional and physical development of the infant, and the interaction between the mother and the infant. Other family members are also included in the treatment plan.

Eating Disorders Unit

Four beds for eating disorders are provided at the Dandenong Hospital (and an associated regional Outpatient Eating Disorders Clinic at Monash Medical Centre at Clayton). The Eating Disorders Unit offers specialised assessment and treatment of adults with eating disorders. A multidisciplinary team is involved in the provision of individual, family and group therapy.

Monash Health catchment areas

Check if your suburb/town falls under the catchment areas served by Monash Health mental health services using the Mental Health Services Directory on the Department of Health Victoria website.

Victoria’s Mental Health Services Directory

Department of Health Victoria website