As of today, the MMHCI is free, requires no referral and is fully operational and about to be backed by a national awareness campaign.
The federal government’s new Medicare Mental Health Check In service is now fully operational, with the launch today of a self-guided therapy option designed to provide early support for people experiencing mild mental health challenges.
The self-guided, low-intensity, cognitive behavioural therapy (LiCBT) pathway completes the staged rollout of the national digital mental health service being delivered by St Vincent’s Health Australia on behalf of the commonwealth.
The MMHCI website launched on 1 January this year, with practitioner-guided LiCBT services starting on 30 March.
The new self-guided pathway allows users to work through online modules independently and at their own pace.
“Self-guided LiCBT allows people to work through online modules … using the same evidence-based tools but without the support of a trained practitioner,” an SVHA spokesperson told TMR today.
As with the rest of the MMHCI, the service is free and available without a referral or diagnosis.
The organisation also highlighted the platform’s recent regulatory milestone.
“The addition of a self-guided option follows MMHCI’s approval as a Tier 1 medical device by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, a first for a digital mental health platform in Australia,” the SVHA spokesperson said.
With the self-guided service now live, St Vincent’s said MMHCI was “fully operational”.
“Having trained practitioners available, alongside a self-guided option, means more people can get support in ways that are flexible and accessible and that work for them,” the spokesperson said.
The organisation said a national promotional campaign would begin in coming weeks “to significantly expand awareness of the service’s early, free, and accessible care before mental health challenges escalate”.
People can access the self-guided resources at any time through the MMHCI website, while practitioner-guided appointments are available seven days a week. Entry to the service begins with a brief phone assessment via the national 1800 595 212 number.
The MMHCI supports Australians aged 16 years and over who are experiencing, or are at risk of, mild mental health challenges, including “symptoms of low mood, mild anxiety, or depression, and who may benefit from early support to prevent issues from worsening”.
Assistant minister for health Rebecca White said the service would make it easier for Australians to access help before mental health issues became more serious.
“The launch of Medicare Mental Health Check In’s self-guided service means more Australians can access free, evidence-based mental health support when and where they need it,” Ms White said.
St Vincent’s said people choosing the self-guided pathway would still have access to professional support if required.
“Additional support from a trained professional is always available for anyone taking the self-guided option should they need it,” the spokesperson said.
The organisation stressed that safety measures applied across both service streams.
“Everyone completes routine outcome measures that help identify changes in wellbeing,” the spokesperson said.
“Practitioners monitor surveys, and clinical escalation protocols apply if any risks or deterioration are identified, even for self-guided service users.”
St Vincent’s said MMHCI delivered low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy based on “internationally recognised and evidence-based tools that are shown to be effective”.
