Fremantle Older Adult Mental Health Service

Fremantle Older Adult Mental Health Service (FOAMHS) is a specialist community mental health service providing psychiatric assessment and treatment for older adults experiencing a mental health disorder.

Our consumer focussed services are provided by a multidisciplinary team using a care-coordination approach, with one clinician coordinating and facilitating your care.

These services are offered in the community or on an inpatient basis as required.

Referral criteria

Your general practitioner (GP) can refer you for our services if you meet the following criteria:

• are aged 65 years or older (55 years for Aboriginal people who self-identify as older adult)
• are experiencing a mental health disorder
• live in the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group catchment area. 

FOAMHS will provide you with specialist mental health care while your GP will continue to provide your medical care.

Assessment process

After we receive your referral our triage officer will phone you to gather more information.

A care coordinator will then contact you or your carer to organise an in-home assessment to develop your treatment plan.

You will be provided a copy of this plan and it will also be outlined in a letter sent to your GP.

Ongoing treatment

You will receive ongoing support from your care coordinator and undergo regular review by the psychiatrist or one of our doctors.

You will also be provided a copy of the ‘Charter of Mental Health Care Principles’ that guide your care. Ask your care coordinator if you have any questions.

Your treatment may include:

• medication advice
• education to help you and/or your carer better understand mental illness
• therapy and counselling – FOAMHS may also link you in with appropriate services including:
  • MyAgedCare (residential and community services) 
  • carer support organisations
  • private providers.

Allied health services that may be relevant to your treatment can include:

• social work services including:
  • counselling
  • assistance with financial and relocation issues
• ·occupational therapy services including: 
  • individual and group therapy to gain practical coping skills
  • advice to increase safety and independence
  • promoting recovery through activity and engagement
• clinical psychology services including:
  • psychological therapy for mood disorders (including anxiety and depression), trauma, PTSD, complex grief reactions, adjustment and or life transitions
  • neuro-psychological assessment 
• referrals for exercise physiology or to a dietitian.  

Inpatient admission

Should you require admission to our inpatient unit as part of your treatment, your care coordinator assist by explaining your rights and remaining in contact during your hospital stay.

In an emergency

In an emergency or crisis please dial 000 (triple zero) or visit your nearest emergency department.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL)

Metro callers phone 1300 555 788 (local call)
Peel callers phone 1800 676 822 (free call)

Lifeline WA

Phone 131 114
24 hours a day / 7 day a week service

Find more mental health emergency service providers (Healthy WA)