Who we are

The Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Outreach Service (SIDMHOS) is a specialist mental health service that helps adults with intellectual disability and complex mental health problems to access appropriate mental health care. 

Complex needs mean a person will have an intellectual disability and a mental illness or severe behaviours of concern. The person will have already accessed support from their local intellectual disability and mental health service.

Our team is based at Croydon Health Centre, and is made up of psychiatrists, registrars, clinical psychologists and forensic psychologists. 

SIDMHOS is not an emergency service. For information on urgent support services, go to What to do in a crisis.

What we do

We can meet with you face-to-face or over telehealth. We will provide a report. The report will include suggestions for the person, their family, health professionals and care providers about what services, types of treatment and care might help the person to reach their goals.

SIDMHOS is a consultation service. We do not prescribe medications or provide care coordination.

We provide

• Focussed assessments which are brief and time-sensitive advice for people who do not have access to a psychiatrist or are in hospital and need specialist intellectual disability mental health input
• A comprehensive assessment for people with an identified referring psychiatrist
• A forensic review. This will focus on understanding risk, and providing advice on behaviour support, risk management and transition planning from forensic settings

Referrals

All referrals to SIDMHOS must be received from a registered health professional. SIDMHOS is not able to accept self-referrals.

Eligibility criteria

1. Adult (18+), or 16-17 years and are transitioning to adult mental health services
2. Have a diagnosed mild, moderate, severe or profound intellectual disability with evidence provided at the time of referral
3. Have complex clinical needs, such as mental illness or severe behaviours of concern
4. Have already sought support from local intellectual disability and mental health services
5. Have an existing treating psychiatrist or mental health team who will follow through with care
6. For a forensic review the person needs to be in custody or at high risk of custody

To make a referral, please have your primary clinician complete the online referral form:
Make a referral

If you have questions about the referral criteria or process, please call us on 02 9378 1100 or email on SLHD-SIDMHOS@health.nsw.gov.au. We will respond to your query within 10 days.

Helpful resources for referrers