Bringing Genetics to Mental Health: Integrating Genetic Counseling into a Mental Health Program at Monash Health, Australia

Abstract

Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, substance use disorder, and schizophrenia are highly heritable, yet access to genetic counseling for psychiatric disorders remains limited. Despite evidence supporting its benefits, systemic barriers in Australia limit access to this service. To address this gap, a genetic counselor was embedded within the Monash Mental Health Program -marking the first initiative of its kind in Australia. This initiative represents a novel, collaborative model that improves access to genetic services and fosters interdisciplinary partnerships between genetic counselors and mental health professionals. By embedding the service within a public health context, it also addresses critical equity issues in access to genomic healthcare. This paper outlines the structure, implementation, and function of the service, demonstrating its adaptability across a range of clinical areas. Initially focused on women of reproductive age with psychiatric histories, the service rapidly expanded to include dual disability, inpatient adult psychiatry, and child and adolescent mental health. It proved particularly valuable in high-risk perinatal cases, where psychiatric conditions intersected with fetal anomalies. Genetic counseling facilitated timely interventions, guided genetic testing where appropriate, and supported complex case management. By identifying key enablers and challenges, this paper offers practical insights for developing similar interdisciplinary services. It contributes unique evidence from the Australian context and provides a foundation for future research, policy, and service planning in psychiatric genetic counseling. This innovative, scalable model demonstrates how genetic counseling can be effectively integrated into mental health care, improving outcomes for individuals with psychiatric disorders and their families.

Keywords: genetic counseling; health service innovation; mental health services; perinatal psychiatry; psychiatric disorders; psychiatric genetic counseling.