How to access treatment?
Spectrum is a specialised health service funded to support public area mental health and wellbeing services throughout Victoria.
Wanting to use Spectrum services?
A referral is needed from a Victorian area mental health and wellbeing service clinician before an assessment can be considered.
If you are currently receiving treatment from a Victorian area mental health and wellbeing service, your case manager or clinician can make a referral to Spectrum on your behalf. Please email or call intake to begin the referral process (contact details below).
If you would like information about the referral process or treatment options you can contact our Intake Service during office hours, Monday to Friday (Melbourne time) on phone (03) 8413 8750.
Looking for contact details of a Victorian area mental health and wellbeing service? See the Victorian area mental health and wellbeing services website.
What’s involved once referral has been received?
Once a referral has been received, a Spectrum consultant psychiatrist will contact the referrer to arrange an appointment for an initial assessment.
The initial assessment may be either in-person or as a telehealth appointment and usually within four (4) to six (6) weeks of referral.
The assessment appointment is a full psychiatric interview, which will involve an in-depth discussion of a person’s personal and health history.
At Spectrum, we aim to make this as comfortable as possible as we understand that this sometimes can be an anxiety-provoking experience.
For anyone awaiting assessment, please let the assessing team know of any specific considerations. This will help us accommodate needs and requests.
During an assessment?
An assessment will likely include paper-based or digital screening measures. These help provide a more holistic picture seeking our services. Personal information will always be treated as confidential.
During the initial assessment discussions, the person seeking our services will receive immediate feedback. There may however be additional follow up discussions required depending on the specifics of the assessment.
A Spectrum assessment does not always lead to an offer of treatment with Spectrum. In these cases, we offer recommendations for alternative treatment or support.
Our Intake team
To speak with someone from our intake team:
Phone: (03) 8413 8750 (ask for the intake team)