Essendon Private Clinic
Urgent Mental Health Support & Hospital Admission Melbourne
If your mental health is getting worse, your current treatment no longer feels like enough, or you are finding it increasingly difficult to manage day to day, you may be wondering what kind of support you need next.
For some people, this may mean reviewing outpatient treatment. For others, a more structured level of care, including mental health hospital admission in Melbourne, may be worth discussing.
Essendon Private Clinic provides planned, voluntary inpatient mental health care. Our Intake team can explain the referral and admission process, what information is needed, and whether inpatient treatment may be appropriate for your needs.
Returning to EPC? Request a call back →
Private mental health hospital in Essendon West, Melbourne
Psychiatrist-led care
Inpatient, day program and TMS pathways
Need immediate help?
Essendon Private Clinic is not an emergency department or crisis service.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
If you need urgent mental health support but there is no immediate danger, contact your GP, psychiatrist or Victorian mental health triage service for advice about the most appropriate next step.
When Your Mental Health Is Getting Worse
You do not need to wait until your situation becomes an emergency before asking whether you need more support.
Sometimes the clearest sign that your care needs have changed is that everyday life is becoming increasingly difficult despite the treatment or support you already have.
It may be worth speaking with your GP, psychiatrist or another mental health professional if you are experiencing:
- Increasing difficulty managing everyday routines
- Significant changes in sleep, eating or self-care
- Difficulty continuing with work, study or other usual responsibilities
- Increasing withdrawal from family, friends or usual activities
- Symptoms or distress becoming harder to manage
- Repeated periods of deterioration between appointments
- Current therapy, medication or outpatient treatment no longer feeling sufficient
- A need for more regular monitoring, structure or clinical support
- Increasing difficulty managing safely and effectively at home.
These signs do not automatically mean hospital admission is required. They are reasons to review whether your current level of care is still meeting your needs
When More Structured Mental Health Support May Be Needed
When your mental health is becoming harder to manage, it may be time to review whether your current support is still enough.
If outpatient treatment is no longer providing enough structure or support, a more intensive option, including planned inpatient mental health care, may be considered following a clinical assessment.
Inpatient care does not always mean an emergency. It can provide structured psychiatric, nursing and psychological support when treatment at home is no longer meeting your needs.
Treatment Options in Melbourne at Essendon Private Clinic
Treatment depends on the type and severity of anxiety, how it is affecting your life and what treatment you may already have tried.
Inpatient Mental Health Care
Planned, psychiatrist-led care in a private hospital environment for people who may benefit from more structured mental health treatment.
Day Programs
Structured therapeutic programs that allow you to receive ongoing treatment while continuing to live at home.
Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) may form part of treatment, with medication considered depending on individual circumstances.
When Might Inpatient Treatment Be Considered?
A planned mental health hospital admission may be worth discussing when your current treatment or support is no longer enough to manage your needs safely and effectively at home.
This may include situations where:
- Your mental health is continuing to get worse despite treatment
- Everyday routines, work, study or self-care are becoming harder to manage
- You are deteriorating significantly between outpatient appointments
- You need more structure, monitoring or clinical support than can be provided at home
- Your GP, psychiatrist or treating clinician recommends a higher level of care
Admission to EPC is based on referral, assessment and clinical suitability. If you are unsure whether inpatient treatment may be appropriate, our Intake Team can explain the process and what information is required.
What Treatment at EPC Can Support
Your treatment plan is based on your individual needs. At Essendon Private Clinic, care considers more than symptoms alone, including stability, coping, relationships, routines and preparing for life beyond hospital.
EPC’s Whole-Person Recovery Model considers these different parts of recovery through three connected pillars — ESSENTIAL, EMPOWERED, ENGAGED.
ESSENTIAL
Build Safety & Stability
Support with overwhelming emotions, sleep and daily routines, grounding, practical coping skills and building stability.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Sleep, routine and daily stability
- Grounding and practical coping strategies
- Managing distress and overwhelming emotions
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
EMPOWERED
Understand Your Emotions
Recognising unhelpful thinking patterns, behavioural activation, emotion regulation and building resilience.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Recognising patterns and triggers
- Building emotional regulation skills
- Developing strategies for difficult thoughts and behaviours
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
ENGAGED
Connect With What Matters
Rebuilding relationships, confidence, meaningful activities, purpose and plans for life beyond hospital.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Rebuilding confidence and independence
- Reconnecting with relationships and meaningful activities
- Planning for life and recovery after hospital
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
Find a Psychiatrist at Essendon Private Clinic
Explore psychiatrists consulting at EPC and their areas of interest. If you do not already have a psychiatrist, our Intake Team can also help explain the referral pathway.
Dr IRINA KOLESNIKOVA
FRANZCP PsychiatryAnxiety disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Mood disorders, Trauma
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
Dr KIRTHI KUMAR
FRANZCP, MBBS, DPM, DNB PsychiatryAnxiety disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), General Adult (up to 60yrs), Mood disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Psychosis…
Hindi, Kannada
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
Dr Meenal Aggarwal
FRANZCP MBBS, MPM PsychiatryAnxiety disorders, Dementia and behavioral symptoms, Memory impairment, Mood disorders, OCD, Panic disorder…
Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
Dr NEERAJ AGGARWAL
MBBS, MD (Psych), FRANZCP PsychiatryAnxiety disorders, Mood disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Psychosis, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
Dr Samir Ibrahim, OAM
M.B.CH.B., MASTER PSYCH, MATER PORG PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, FRANZCP, APA FELLOW Psychiatrydepression, Mood disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Personality Disorders, Psychogeriatrics, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
Dr Soumitra Das
MBBS, MD, FRANZCP, MPH PsychiatryAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Eating Disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Young Adult Mental Health
Hindi, Panjabi, Punjabi, Tamil
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
Dr Sunil Datta
MBBS,DPM,MD PsychiatryAddictive Disorders, Anxiety disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Personality Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Hindi, Panjabi, Punjabi, Tamil
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
Dr USMAN MANSOOR
FRANZCP, MBBS, MPH, M.Psych PsychiatryAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder
Hindi, Urdu
35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040
03 9337 9577
How Mental Health Hospital Admission Works
1
Contact our Intake team
You, your GP or psychiatrist can contact us to discuss your needs and the admission process.
2
Referral and Clinical Assessment
A GP or psychiatrist provides a referral, and our Intake Team reviews your current needs, treatment history and suitability for inpatient care.
3
Psychiatrist and Funding Confirmation
An admitting psychiatrist reviews your referral, while private health insurance or other funding arrangements are confirmed.
4
Your Admission Is Arranged
If inpatient treatment is appropriate and a suitable bed is available, we’ll arrange your admission date and time.
I'm Worried About Someone Else
Family members and carers are often the first to notice when someone’s mental health is getting worse or current treatment is no longer enough.
You can contact Essendon Private Clinic to ask about the referral and mental health hospital admission process for someone you care about. Planned private admission is generally voluntary and still requires clinical assessment and consent.
If the person is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Does Private Health Insurance Cover Treatment?
Coverage depends on the treatment, your health fund, and your individual policy.
We work with major health funds
Most major Australian private health funds are accepted for eligible admissions. Cover depends on your fund, policy and level of hospital cover.
Out-of-pocket costs
Excesses and out-of-pocket costs vary by policy and treatment. Intake can explain what information is needed so you can confirm costs before admission.
We can help explain your cover
The intake team can walk you through the funding process and what to check with your health fund, including waiting periods and eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Treatment
Can I admit myself to a private mental health hospital?
You can contact the hospital yourself and ask about voluntary admission.
However, a planned private admission will generally still require a clinical referral, suitability assessment, an admitting psychiatrist and an available bed.
Can my GP refer me to a mental health hospital?
Yes. A GP can usually begin the referral process for private inpatient mental health treatment.
Do I need to already have a psychiatrist?
Not necessarily.
If you do not already have a psychiatrist, your GP may be able to start the referral process and our Intake Team can discuss the next steps.
When should I consider going to a mental health hospital?
It may be worth discussing a higher level of care if your mental health is continuing to deteriorate, everyday life is becoming harder to manage, or your current treatment no longer feels sufficient.
These are reasons for assessment rather than automatic admission criteria.
What happens when you are admitted to a mental health hospital?
For a planned private admission, you will usually arrive at an arranged time and complete a nursing and clinical assessment.
Your inpatient treatment may include psychiatric review, mental health nursing, psychological therapy, group programs, medication review, allied health support and discharge planning.
How long does a mental health hospital stay last?
A typical inpatient stay at Essendon Private Clinic is around 14-21 days, although the exact length can vary depending on your individual needs, treatment goals, the program you are receiving and how you respond to treatment. Your clinical team will review your progress throughout your admission.
How quickly can I be admitted?
There is no guaranteed timeframe.
Admission depends on referral information, clinical suitability, psychiatrist availability, funding and bed availability.
What if I need urgent mental health support while waiting?
Tell your treating clinician and Essendon Private Clinic's Intake Team if your condition changes or becomes significantly worse.
If you need urgent assessment, Victorian mental health triage services may be able to assess what level of support is required.
If there is immediate danger, call 000 or attend the nearest emergency department rather than waiting for a planned admission.
What happens after a mental health hospital stay?
Discharge planning generally begins before you leave hospital.
Ongoing care may include follow-up with your psychiatrist, GP or psychologist, medication management, day programs, allied health or community support. The aim is to support your transition from inpatient care back into everyday life.
Do I need a referral to Essendon Private Clinic?
A GP or psychiatrist referral is generally required for a private admission. If you do not have an admitting psychiatrist, contact intake to ask about the pathway.
Can a family member contact EPC about someone with anxiety?
Family members and carers can contact intake to ask about treatment options and the referral process. EPC still protects the person's privacy and shares information only in line with consent and legal requirements.
Does private health insurance cover inpatient anxiety treatment?
Cover and out-of-pocket costs vary by insurer, policy and admission. Intake can explain what information is needed; confirm benefits with your health fund before admission.
Is TMS used for anxiety?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is commonly used for treatment resistant anxiety.
A psychiatrist can assess whether TMS may be appropriate based on your symptoms, treatment history and any other mental health conditions.
Where is Essendon Private Clinic located?
Essendon Private Clinic is located at 35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040, in Melbourne’s north-west. Contact our Intake Team if you would like to ask about anxiety treatment options, referrals or how to access care.
You Don't Need to Diagnose Yourself Before Asking For Help
Reading about symptoms online can help you recognise that something may not be going well. It cannot determine why you are experiencing those difficulties or what treatment you need.
Our Intake Team can discuss your circumstances and explain available treatment options.
YOU DO NOT NEED EVERY ANSWER BEFORE YOU CALL
Talk to Intake About Admission
Send a short enquiry and the intake team can explain anxiety treatment options, referrals, costs and next steps.
