Mental health information for health professionals

This information is for health professionals. For crisis counselling and other support areas please ring 1800 682 288 or go to the 24 Hour Mental Health Hotlines


The Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch is a specialist policy and project unit within NT Health. It is responsible for:

  • monitoring the delivery of mental health alcohol and other drugs services
  • service development and integration
  • mental health and alcohol and other drug legislative reform matters
  • national mental health and alcohol and other drug reform agenda activities and projects
  • provision of funding to non-government organisations.

Mental health and suicide prevention strategies and legislation

NT Health is committed to working with the whole community and key stakeholders in building a mental health service system that invests in and supports the community to better understand how and when to seek help. The strategic plan outlines a collaborative approach and incorporates the perspectives of individuals, carers, clinical and non clinical service providers. The plan has been developed in consultation with many members of the community including those with a lived experience and with a direct experience with services across the continuum of care.

Read the mental health strategic plan 2019-2025 PDF (1.7 MB).

A collaboration between NT PHN, NT Health and AMSANT, is leading development on a mental health and suicide prevention regional plan for the Northern Territory, in partnership with key stakeholders across the system.

The regional plan aims to identify ways the current system can better support people with their mental health, mental illness and prevent suicide. It will do this by finding ways to work together so that services are more coordinated, identify priority areas where systems could work more effectively, make sure that data and evidence is used to inform how services are established and ensure a spectrum of services targeting the needs of our communities are available.

Read the Northern Territory mental health and suicide prevention foundation plan 2021-2022.

The Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998 is the framework that balances the rights and treatment of those with acute mental illness in the Northern Territory.

It is underpinned by international, national and Northern Territory legislation, principles and quality standards. The Act is to be interpreted so that a person who has a mental illness receives the best possible care and treatment in the least restrictive and least intrusive environment enabling the care and treatment to be effectively given. The objective of treatment under the Act is directed towards the purpose of preserving and enhancing personal autonomy.

For more information on the review, view NT Health reviews and evaluations.

Protocol between NT Health and NT Police for mental health matters

The protocol for cooperative arrangements in mental health matters between NT Health and NT Police is an agreement between NT Police and NT Health to work in cooperation to promote a safe and coordinated system of response and care for people known, or suspected to be experiencing mental illness, disturbance or complex cognitive impairment, or exhibiting behaviours that may indicate such, and who may require care and treatment under the Mental Health and Related Services Act (MHARS Act) 1998.

Read the protocol for cooperative arrangements in mental health matters between NT Health and NT Police PDF (941.4 KB).

Contact

Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch - Darwin
PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: 08 8999 2691
mhaod.doh@nt.gov.au

For other related services, please contact:


Give feedback about this page.

Share this page:

URL copied!