Brief Intervention Services
Our Mental Health Brief Intervention Services (BIS) provides short-term intervention to clients over the age of 20 with mild to moderate mental health issues.
Clients receive up to five sessions with a counsellor and the service is free.
Our BIS clinicians are registered health professionals, with the skills and experience to assist clients in need of short-term mental well-being support including for stress, anxiety, depression and concerns about alcohol and other drugs..
Accessing BIS
GPs refer patients to one of our brief intervention service clinicians.
Please note, as a patient you may be required to undergo a brief assessment by phone or at an initial appointment to determine that our service is right for you.
Telehealth options – via phone or video – are also available in most cases.
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What happens after I am referred?
Once the referral has been received a patient will be contacted by one of the clinical team within 2 weeks. This may be a letter informing that a referral has been received. The clinician will contact and discuss the referral with a patient and identify supports that you may require. Priority for service is given to those people who are Māori / Pacific or are a former refugee or have community service or high user health card.
The clinician who makes contact can discuss the most appropriate follow up options, which could include:
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Self-help options including; e therapy, books on prescription
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Telephone support
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Referral to a more appropriate agency/service
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Advice around alternative follow up options, which could include private counselling or Employee assistance programs
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Face to Face appointments - Waiting times to be seen by a clinician can vary from 1-2 months
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Is there any support before I get to speak to a clinician?
There are a wide range of online and telephone support services.
These are listed on our Look after yourself (resource below) along with some tips to help you look after yourself including:
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Get enough sleep.
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Eat healthy meals and snacks.
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Set reasonable limits on the time spent watching TV, using social media or playing electronic games.
Our While you wait (resource below) has further ideas.