Table 1.

Key features of enhanced Indigenous ATAPS services and the general ATAPS initiative

Key feature	General ATAPS	Indigenous Mental Health Service	Indigenous Suicide Prevention Service
First introduced	July 2001	July 2010	July 2011
Primary target group	Australians with high prevalence disorders of mild to moderate severity managed in primary care	Indigenous Australians with high prevalence disorders of mild to moderate severity managed in primary care	Indigenous Australians at moderate risk of suicide or self-harm managed in primary carea
Mandatory initiative for Medicare Locals	Yes	Yes	No
Eligible referrers	• GP • Psychiatrist • Mental health professional • Paediatrician	• GP • Psychiatrist • Mental health professionalb • Paediatricianb • Indigenous health organisation / Aboriginal community controlled health serviceb	• GP • Mental health professional • Paediatrician • Emergency department • Hospital ward • Indigenous health organisation / Aboriginal community controlled health service • Drug and alcohol service • Acute mental health team
Annual session limit	6–12 (18 in exceptional circumstances) individual and 12 group sessions	6–12 (18 in exceptional circumstances) individual and 12 group sessions	Unlimited individual sessions during three month period
Other flexibilities	• Low or no cost to client	• Low or no cost to client • Introduced narrative therapy as a permissible ATAPS intervention • New outreach modality • Sessions can involve the whole family	• Low or no cost to client • No diagnosis or GP mental health treatment plan required at referral • Sessions can involve the whole family • Clinician contacts client within 24 h and provides first session within 72 h of referral (or earlier, as required)

Acronyms: ATAPS Access to Allied Psychological Services, GP General Practitioner

Note: Key features as of June 2015. a Not suitable for individuals at acute risk, or with recurrent thoughts, of suicide or self-harm who are more appropriately managed by state and territory mental health services. b Provisional referrals require a GP or psychiatrist prepared mental health treatment plan ideally within 2 weeks of the first session, or as soon as practical