Level 2 - Low Intensity Services
Definition
Low-intensity services are evidence-based mental health treatment/intervention services designed to be accessed quickly (without the need for a formal referral, e.g., through a third-party service or provider), easily (through a range of modalities including face-to-face, group work, telephone, and online services) and typically involve few or short sessions or a specific manualised course or program of lessons/sessions designed to teach evidence-based strategies for managing symptoms of mental illness and/or distress.
In contrast to Level 1, low-intensity services include some level of direct, although brief, engagement with a qualified mental health professional or appropriately trained non-clinical workers (sometimes called therapists or coaches), under the supervision of a suitably qualified and experienced mental health professional.
Care environment
Services are easily accessible and available online, over the telephone or face-to-face in the community. Services may also be available in community settings (e.g., schools, community centres, pharmacies, and general practice).
Core mental health treatment/intervention services
Psychoeducation (written and verbal forms) and teaching of psychological strategies for managing mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness or distress.
Online clinician/therapist/coach assisted programs and courses designed to treat a mild to moderate mental health disorder or psychological distress.
Brief telephone and face-to-face psychological services delivered by GPs, paediatricians, and mental health professionals. Includes both individual and group work.
For children and young people, services focused on supporting parents/caregivers to implement evidence-based parenting strategies for managing mild presentations of concerning behaviours or social and emotional disturbances in children and adolescents, and for supporting positive child and adolescent development.
For older people, may include brief intervention services from professionals specialising in ageing such as geriatricians.
Other health services that may be required
A comprehensive physical health assessment and ongoing integrated management of physical health issues via a GP.
Health promotion, lifestyle interventions and social prescribing (e.g., sleep hygiene, social exercise programs).
Support services
Specific community, social, leisure, and recreational supports aimed at enhancing protective factors and minimising risk factors for mental health and wellbeing.
Accommodations and supports to minimise impacts of mental health symptoms and psychological distress on functioning and/or to reduce impacts of stressors that may exacerbate symptoms or distress, including supports or accommodations at school or work.
Supports targeting situational stressors, such as housing, legal support, financial support, relationship counselling parental/family focused education and support, and support for grief and loss.
Formal and informal individual and group peer support for the person or their parent/caregiver (including online peer support forums and chats).
Services and support focussed on connections with community and culture.
Care coordination services, service navigation, and advocacy.
Referral criteria
A person suitable for this level of care typically has low or no concerns relating to harm and is usually experiencing mild symptoms/low levels of distress. Symptoms have typically been present for a short time (less than three months for children and adolescents and less than six months for adults and older adults, but this may vary). The person is generally experiencing only minor impacts on functioning due to mental health symptoms or distress, but may be struggling with motivation or engagement or, particularly for children and adolescents, may have limited/minimal/no family or other supports – both of which contraindicate a referral to Level 1 care.
Complexity indicated by significant problems in Harm, Functioning or Co-existing Conditions should be considered contraindications for referral to Level 2 care and trigger a referral to Level 3 or higher.