About MHPN
The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) aims to support collaboration in Australia’s primary mental health sector by fostering local interdisciplinary networks of mental health professionals.
A not-for-profit organisation, MHPN is funded by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing until June 2014.
Between Febraury 2009 and June 2010, MHPN delivered 1,169 workshops across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia. These workshops were designed to bring together mental health clinicians working under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better access) initiative, at a local level with three primary aims:
- improve patient outcomes through a collaborative approach to treatment in the primary care setting
- expand and improve mental health referral networks
- to learn about the skills and expertise of local mental health care providers
MHPN engaged with more than 20,000 clinicians during the rollout of workshops, which were attended by over 15,000 people working in primary mental health.
MHPN has now established over 450 interdisciplinary mental health networks across Australia, of which 40% are located in regional, rural and remote locations.
Network members meet regularly to participate in education, clinical review, peer support, community development, collaboration and networking opportunities.
Network members include:
- general practitioners
- psychiatrists
- psychologists
- mental health nurses
- occupational therapists
- social workers
- community workers involved in primary mental healthcare.
History of the MHPN initiative
Historical context
Mental Health Professionals Network began operations in August 2008 to roll out collaborative workshops across Australia. The project drew on knowledge gained from an environmental scan commissioned by the Mental Health Professionals Association (MHPA) and a number of pilot workshops.
The MHPA was convened in early 2006 as a way of supporting a coordinated and collaborative forum for issues affecting key professions providing mental health care. The MHPA was engaged by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to develop a resource package for mental health professionals. The MHPA provided the support required to facilitate use of the new and existing mental health Medicare items and funding in an appropriate, effective and efficient manner.
The National Action Plan and Better Access
In July 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed a National Action Plan on Mental Health which provides a strategic framework emphasising coordination and collaboration between government, private and non-government providers.
Under the Plan, the Australian Government is providing $1.9 billion over 5 years to implement initiatives to improve services for people with a mental health disorder, their families and carers.
The Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) Initiative aims to support increased access to mental health services through the introduction of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items that allow coordinated and more affordable mental health care for the community. These new MBS funded services promote a collaborative approach to mental health care with GPs encouraged to liaise with psychiatrists, paediatricians and allied mental health professionals to increase the availability of care.
Pilot workshops
Six pilot workshops were held in a mix of metropolitan and rural regions and involved over 80 participants from a range of mental health professions. These workshops were consistently rated as valuable by participants, and established a basis for the rollout of the subsequent Mental Health Professionals Network workshops.
The benefits that workshop participants cited included:
- better understanding of the respective mental health professions
- improved access to local resources
- more up-to-date clinical knowledge
- the anticipated ability to make more efficient and appropriate referrals.
These benefits were seen as likely to improve outcomes for clients by generating greater collegial support and networks which would in turn have additional flow-on effects.
Interdisciplinary mental health networking for professionals
By becoming a member of an MHPN network, clinicians can:
- Expand their referral networks
- Broaden their knowledge of local service providers
- Improve patient outcomes through greater collaboration
- Enhance their professional development opportunities.
To further reinforce the sustainability of networks, MHPN has created MHPN Online.
This professional networking platform is designed to enhance interdisciplinary mental health care.