Link-me+: Supporting GPs to deliver stepped mental health care

Link-me+ is a research translation and implementation project that supports general practices to embed evidence-based, stepped mental health care into routine practice. It is now live in several practices across the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) catchment, with more joining the pilot phase in 2025 and scaling out in 2026.

Led by Associate Professor Caroline Johnson and Dr Cath Kaylor-Hughes, Link-me+ focuses on improving support for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and related conditions within the GP setting.

Building on the success of the original Link-me randomised controlled trial, Link-Me+ enhances primary mental health care by combining a digital prognostic tool, patient and GP-facing tailored mental health resources, trained care navigators, real-time local referral directories, and GP support. Link-me+ is actively rolling out in general practices and is shaping the future of stepped, patient-centred mental health care in Australia.

How does it work?

Patients complete a short digital mental health questionnaire before their GP appointment. Based on their responses, they receive tailored self-help resources, while their GP is sent a summary of results to guide patient care. Patients identified as more likely to have persisting symptoms are offered care navigation — time-limited and structured support provided by trained staff who help patients devise their own, personalised plan and put this into action.

The model enables early identification and timely intervention for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and related conditions, including an emphasis on social prescribing alongside the other treatments more traditionally offered for mental health issues in the GP setting. Link-me+ reflects ongoing national reform priorities in primary mental health care and highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Initial implementation learnings are informing scale-up plans and broader system integration strategies. The project team is also exploring future opportunities to adapt the model for diverse communities and service settings.

The project is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne (The ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation), EMPHN, Access Health and Community, and Monash University, and is shaped by continuous input from GPs, people with lived experience, and primary health stakeholders.