Referral information for GPs and health professionals

Mental health & AOD services for adults

To refer a client to Sonder’s mental health and alcohol & other drug (AOD) services for adults, GPs and health professionals should:

  • Download the relevant referral form – available on the program webpage.
  • Submit the completed form to the Head to Health Phone Service via:
    • Healthlink: (EDI: adphncru for metropolitan services or EDI: sahthiar for country services)
    • Fax: (08) 8121 1802 for metropolitan services or (08) 9647 6233 for country services

A Mental Health Treatment Plan is NOT required to access Sonder’s services.

What happens next?

  • The Head to Health Phone Service triages all referrals and contacts clients to determine the most appropriate level of care.
  • Where appropriate, an Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) is used to guide this process.
  • The Head to Health Phone Service team then facilitates the referral to the most suitable service, ensuring a smooth transition for the client.

Can clients self-refer?

Clients can also self-refer to some of Sonder’s mental health and AOD services by completing an online referral form for the service they would like to access:


Metropolitan mental health & AOD services

Sonder operates walk-in mental health centres in Northern Adelaide, which provide immediate support without the need for an appointment or referral.

Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre (Elizabeth)

  • No referral, appointment, or Medicare card required. GPs are encouraged to advise clients to walk in for immediate support.
  • For clients with severe/complex mental health concerns, GPs can complete a [Referral Form] for medium to longer-term psychological therapy, clinical care coordination, and suicide prevention support.
  • For more information and opening hours, visit: sonder.net.au/medicare-mental-health

Safe Haven (Salisbury)

  • No referral, appointment, or Medicare card required.
  • For more information and opening hours, visit: sonder.net.au/safe-haven

To refer a client to one of Sonder’s other metropolitan mental health & AOD services, submit the relevant referral form to the Head to Health Phone Service via Healthlink (EDI: adphncru) or Fax (08) 8121 1802, along with any supporting documents, e.g. Mental Health Treatment Plan, Discharge Summary, Assessments.

Referral forms for GPs & health professionals

  • Western Wellbeing Hub – Referral Form
  • Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre (Medium to longer-term support) – [Referral Form]
  • In-Home Withdrawal Service – Referral Form
  • Partners Toward Wellbeing – Referral Form
  • Booked Psychiatric Assessment – Referral Form

Country mental health & AOD services

To refer a client to Sonder’s regional mental health & AOD services, submit the Country Mental Health & AOD Referral Form to the Head to Health Phone Service along with any supporting documents, e.g. Mental Health Treatment Plan, Discharge Summary, Assessments via:

Contact the Head to Health Phone Service on 1800 595 212 to discuss your referral.