A new emergency telehealth service (ETS) launched on Monday will provide urgent support to children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis.
Run by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), the support system is set to provide an alternative to attending a metropolitan hospital emergency department for mental health assessment.
The service will provide support for young people, families and carers experiencing an urgent mental health crisis, which includes mental health advice, crisis management, assessment and referral to the most appropriate service depending on need.
With the support of specialist clinicians, it will also provide telephone consultation, advice and support to other professionals in metropolitan emergency departments and community settings including GPs, non-government mental health services and school professionals.
Mental Health minister Roger Cook said the new telehealth service would enhance the support systems already in place for children and adolescents.
"The creation of a new service to assist not only our children and young people accessing mental health services, but also to provide our specialist mental health expertise to other health professionals and community-based staff, will further enhance the supports and services currently in place," he said.
The ETS will also offer telehealth follow-up appointments for children and young people who have used the service during non-business hours.
The service will run from 8am to 2.30am seven days a week and can be accessed on 1800 048 636.