Short-term mental health support programs: Horizons

Everyone’s mental health journey is different. Horizons works with you based on your individual needs and strengths. We support you to find out what works for you to manage your mental wellbeing and other areas of your life.

Support can be provided for up to 26 weeks.

Horizons is supported by Primary Health Tasmania under the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.

The program involves one-on-one sessions in the community where you choose, as well as access to a range of group sessions.

Horizons supports you to learn, access and obtain skills and resources that contribute to:

• improved family relationships
• better social connection
• mental health management
• safety and wellbeing planning
• daily living skills
• self-advocacy
• improved communication
• support with housing options and securing housing
• budgeting
• support through hearing voices
• accessing work opportunities.

Horizons is a state-wide service in Tasmania. However, getting started with Horizons changes a little depending on whether you live in a rural or metropolitan area.

In rural areas, including the East and West Coast, King Island, Flinders Island, Tasman Peninsula, Dorset, and Circular Head:

Horizons accepts self-referral in these areas. This means you can call 1800 290 666 to start the process, and a friendly Program Coordinator will get in touch with you to chat about your needs.

You can also talk with your GP, psychologist, or other service provider and ask them to refer you for this service. Referrals should be emailed to horizons@baptcare.org.au by the person who is making the referral.

In major towns, cities and surrounding metropolitan areas of Tasmania:

The first step is to get a referral. Have a chat to your GP, psychologist or other service provider and ask them to complete a referral form for you. Referrals should be emailed to horizons@baptcare.org.au by the person who is making the referral. In the meantime, if you have questions, you can always call 1800 290 666 for more information.

While everyone’s experience of Horizons will be unique to your personal situation, there are some common steps that every participant goes through to access the service.

Step 1. Meet and greet.

You’ll chat with a friendly mental health practitioner about Horizons, and what it looks like for you based on your personal situation.

Step 2. Explore your goals.

Next, you’ll identify the recovery goals you want to work on and we will focus on wellness planning. At this step we will talk about where you would like to be at the end of the program.

Step 3. Get active on the path towards your goals.

Once you’ve got a plan, you can start to work towards your goals. As you make progress, you might explore new goals along the way too. Your mental health practitioner will visit and connect with you in a way you are most comfortable with. It could be at your home or in the community. This can go on for up to 13 or 26 weeks, depending on your progress and needs.

Step 4. Review your progress.

At the 13-week mark, we’ll support you to reflect on your goals, your experience of the program thus far, and the resources, strategies, and skills you’ve developed.

Baptcare wants to help you to know about your rights. You have the right to tell us what you think about the services you receive from Baptcare.

We want to hear about your experience with Baptcare—good or bad—so we can provide you the best support possible.

If you have ideas on how we can improve, let us know!

See below our Feedback statement, Rights and responsibilities statement, and print version of our feedback form.

• Feedback statement
• Rights and responsibilities
• Feedback form
• Client Feedback