Mental illness services - residential care

Acute inpatient services

Sometimes people need to be cared for in hospital. Acute inpatient units provide short term inpatient treatment for people who have been referred by a community mental health service.

Secure and extended care inpatient services

Secure and extended care inpatient services provide treatment and support to clients who have an enduring mental illness and who are unable to live in the community.

Community care units

These services provide clinical treatment to people with a serious mental illness and major psychosocial disabilities. The services help people learn or re-learn everyday living skills necessary to live in the community.

Residential rehabilitation services

These services also help people with a serious mental illness and associated disabilities learn or relearn everyday living skills necessary to live successfully in the community.

Services for older people

Aged Persons Mental Health residential services care for older people with a mental illness. These services are designed to have a home-like atmosphere and residents can participate in a range of activities.

Where to get help

If you need help, contact:

• Your local doctor
• The community mental health centre in your area
• Your local hospital outside of normal business hours.

Things to remember

• Bed-based services offer treatment in hospital and other residential care facilities
• These services are available to children, teenagers, adults and older people.

You might also be interested in:

• Mental health - care plans.
  
• Mental health problems - early care helps.
  
• Mental health services - case managers.
  
• Mental illness.
  
• Mental illness treatments.
  

Want to know more?

Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.

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Last reviewed: July 2011

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A wide range of comprehensive public mental health services are available for people of all ages. Many of these services are bed-based. Bed-based services offer treatment and support to people who are experiencing a serious mental illness. These services can be offered in hospitals, or other residential care facilities.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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