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This week is national OT Week
October 2010
OT week runs from the 24th October to the 30th. OT week raises awareness of the contribution occupational therapists make to the health and well being of patients and clients with a range of medical issues.
October 10th is World Mental Health Day
October 2010
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Mental Health Day on 10 October raises public awareness about mental health issues. The Day promotes more open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention and treatment services.
World Mental Health Day is a rallying point for advocacy groups and mental health organisations. To mark the occasion WHO will release its Mental Health Gap Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) on the 7th October.
What are you doing to mark WMH Day?
You can discuss World Mental Health Day and promote your event in the MHPN Online forums by logging in to MHPN Online.
MHPN project extension
September 2010
MHPN will continue to support interdisciplinary mental health networks until at least June 2011 after it was granted an extension to its contract with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
This extension acknowledges the significant gains made by the project in promoting and supporting interdisciplinary mental health in rural, regional and metropolitan communities across Australia.
Lively MHPN Online coordinators forum delivers fresh ideas for networks
September 2010
Coordinators recently discussed their successes and challenges in building sustainable MHPN Networks during a lively online chat in MHPN Online. The topic remains open for comment under the forums tab in MHPN Online.
Invitation to live coordinators forum
September 2010
Topic: Share your experiences, successes and challenges in building sustainable MHPN Networks
Tuesday 21st September, 6.30-7.30pm (AEST Melb)
Facilitator: Robyn Lidston, MHPN Senior Project Officer
This forum involves logging into MHPN Online and participating in an online discussion with other MHPN coordinators from across Australia simply by reading and commenting on people’s posts in real time.
To attend, login to MHPN Online then click on the Forums tab. Scroll down to the MHPN Online Forums > Coordinators, then select the ‘Live Coordinator’s Forum’.
If you haven’t joined MHPN Online visit www.mhpn.org.au and click the MHPN Online button or call 1800 209 031 for assistance.
We look forward to your participation.
MHCA Survey of the beliefs and attitudes of health professionals
September 2010
The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is undertaking a survey of the beliefs and attitudes of health professionals who provide mental health services towards people with mental illness.
As the peak national body for mental health the MHCA is committed to ensuring fair and equitable mental health services for all Australians. We are interested in gaining a better understanding about the beliefs and attitudes of professionals who deliver mental health services; including whether they differ from those of the general population.
Research in this area internationally has been mixed, with only limited information available in Australia regarding the extent of stigma within this group of professionals.
As such we would like to invite you to complete a survey about your beliefs and attitudes towards people with mental illness. We understand that your time is valuable, but also wish to emphasise the importance of gaining information from mental health service providers such as yourself so that we have an accurate picture of the nature of stigma in Australia.
You should know that all persons taking part in the study will be doing so confidentially with no identifying particulars requested or recorded. You should know that if you do choose to take part in the study and inadvertently provide any information that may identify you, it will be removed by the project manager prior to any analysis being conducted.
There is further detailed information about the study attached here.
If you have any questions about this project please do not hesitate to contact:
Rachelle Irving (Director of Projects and Research at the Mental Health Council of Australia)
Professor Ann Taket (Deakin University)
If you would like to part in the study, please click here to be directed to the external secure website that contains the survey questionnaire. The questionnaire will probably take 10-15 minutes to complete, and can be completed at any point up to 10 December 2010.
Hundreds of new interdisciplinary mental health networks established
June 2010
Since its inception in October 2008, the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) has rolled out almost 1,200 interdisciplinary mental health workshops to over 15,000 clinicians working in primary mental healthcare across Australia.
Workshops were designed to bring together mental health clinicians working at a local level to discuss the skills and resources available in order to identify new referral pathways and a collaborative approach to treatment in the primary care setting.
A case study was chosen from a suite of 12 for each workshop whereby clinicians were asked to explore how each profession could contribute to the patient’s care under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Schedule (Better Access) initiative.
Over 15,000 clinicians participated in 1,169 workshops delivered across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote locations across all state and territories of Australia, including locations as diverse as Nhulunbuy in North East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Kununarra in the Kimberley, Western Australia, Kangaroo Island in South Australia through to Huonville in Southern Tasmania.
Workshops were predominantly location-based, however a proportion were also delivered according to special interests including Indigenous, child and adolescent, perinatal, CALD, dual diagnosis and dual disability, eating disorders and aged psychiatry.
Whilst the workshop experiences varied from place to place depending on the mix of professionals attending, the issues of the local landscape and the facilities on offer, essentially the same formula was used for all workshops. And the feedback was overwhelmingly positive about the experiences of attendees.
The project succeeded in attracting an interdisciplinary mix of mental health professionals. Psychologists were the most highly represented professional discipline at workshops, representing over 40% of attendees, followed by general practitioners, mental health nurses and social workers.
Critical to the project’s success was the engagement of general practitioners who act as the gatekeepers to the Better Access mental health treatment plans. On average three to four general practitioners attended each workshop where the overall average number of workshop participants was 13.
Whilst workshop participants primarily consisted of private practitioners eligible to provide services under Better Access, approximately 10 percent of total participants were from other professions involved in mental health. This was more prevalent in rural and remote areas where the strengthening of the interface between private and public services is integral to the provision of quality care.
Each workshop was facilitated by a local mental health professional recruited and supported by MHPN. Almost half of all workshops were facilitated by psychologists. Interestingly psychiatrists, whilst relatively small in numbers (approximately 500 attended), had the largest proportion of facilitators (around 30%) compared to the other professions.
The success of the workshop phase of the project has already led to the establishment of 466 interdisciplinary networks, with more networks still emerging. MHPN continues to support these networks with administrative and financial support.
In addition, MHPN supports mental health practitioners with an interactive website incorporating opportunities to keep in contact, share resources and access useful information about areas of interest in mental health.
MHPN is funded by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing until the end of 2010 and is seeking an extension based on these excellent results.
The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) project is governed by a board of directors from four member organisations:
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Australian Psychological Society
- The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
- Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
The project also involves three partner organizations: the Australian Association of Social Workers, OT AUSTRALIA and The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Snapshot of Australian primary health care research 2010
The Primary Health Care Research and Information Service has released its Snapshot of Australian primary health care research 2010. This snapshot of recent Australian research projects demonstrates the potential for primary health care research to improve the health of Australians.
To disucss this document and its impact on mental health care log on to MHPN Online and post a topic in our discussion forums.
Psychiatrists lead interdisciplinary mental health care
March 2010
Three Darwin psychiatrists and one Darwin psychologist have become a shining example for interdisciplinary mental health care, with their strong facilitation and leadership driving development of a strong, sustainable and successful interdisciplinary mental health network in the region even before their first network meeting.
After facilitating workshops run by Mental Health Professionals Network late in 2009, the four practitioners committed to coordinating four separate networks.
Federal youth mental health organisation Headspace and the local Division of General Practice co-morbidity project officer played an active role in the roll-out of the initial workshops and importantly, have committed to providing further support to the networks.
The four coordinators have met for a strategic discussion on forging and maintaining ongoing interdisciplinary mental health networks in the region. This resulted in a planned roll out of four Special Interest Group workshops; Men’s, Women’s, Youth and Adult. Headspace will again be involved, facilitating the Youth workshop.
The strong individual networks are using the upcoming special interest workshops to forge a regional relationship and expand their existing networks. A strong turnout is expected at each of the workshops as coordinators will invite participants in the network formed from the initial MHPN workshop, as well as colleagues and contacts from their existing professional circles.
The four networks enjoy an impressive spread of disciplines from both public and private sectors. Of the 68 attendees to the initial MHPN workshops, 11 were GPs, 9 Mental Health Nurses, 26 psychologists and 7 were psychiatrists. Occupational Therapists, Social workers and other related occupations made up the remaining 15 participants.
\Strong representation across disciplines, the support from Headspace, the local Division of General Practice and the leadership shown by the four facilitators give these networks a solid foundation for success.
Each enjoys access to MHPN’s $500 funding for ongoing inter-disciplinary mental health networks, as well as access to administrative support.
The impress initiative shown in collaborating to organise the four upcoming meetings, with a focus on including more members, is already proving fruitful, generating a buzz around the network.
Psychiatrists are a cornerstone of MHPN’s vision for sustainable ongoing interdisciplinary networks. Their rank as respected and valued mental health professionals attracts other clinicians seeking valuable working relationships with psychiatrists to the group, thereby ensuring high participation across disciplines.
Psychiatrist involvement is a particular attraction for General Practitioners, who as the gatekeepers to Medicare’s Better Access scheme are also pillars of the MHPN network initiative.
For more information on MHPN workshops, or on joining an existing MHPN network please visit www.mhpn.org.au.
MHPN goes beyondblue
February 2010
National mental health initiative beyondblue has joined Mental Health Professional’s Network in the treatment of depression and mental illness. From February, a co-branded flier will be handed out to MHPN participants at every workshop across Australia. MHPN will also distribute an information pack promoting the many free resources available on the beyondblue website.
This positive collaboration is a landmark for MHPN which is committed to promoting cross-discipline, frontline care of mental health issues.
A range of support materials for consumers, carers and families are available and clinicians attending MHPN workshops and network meetings will be encouraged to join the beyondblue online clinical directory.
The beyondblue initiative began in 2000 and is an independent, not for profit organisation which enjoys bi-partisan political support. It works to bring mental illness issues out of the closet and into public consciousness.
beyondblue has several high profile patrons including former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett.
Resources on the website include tips for families coping with mental illness, depression and substance abuse, information sheets for general practitioners and mental health clinicians, as well as guides for carers, consumers and families and an online directory of practitioners.
The online directory is significant for MHPN as our participants look to expand their referral partnerships and provide interdisciplinary, collaborative care of consumers.
Funds to help ongoing networks
September 2009
Further assistance is being offered by MHPN to support ongoing MHPN networks across Australia. MHPN Chairman, Mr John McGrath AM, recently announced the availability of $500 funding for all networks continuing to meet following an initial workshop.
In light of feedback from workshop participants and facilitators, it became clear that new networks need further assistance from MHPN to establish themselves as sustainable networks.
The funding assistance is being directed to sustain ongoing networks after the initial workshop. It can be used to cover such costs as venue fees, modest catering expenses and guest speakers.
MHPN can also provide additional administrative support to networks including advice and resources to assist in creating successful future meetings.
Letters from John McGrath were sent to all workshop participants last week and have been mailed to all facilitators this week. Please contact your state senior project officer for more information or call 1800 209 031.
Stirfry unites Aboriginal community and mental health services
July 2009
Some of the best gatherings are united through food and the Elcho Island MHPN workshop was no exception. Situated off the coast of East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, the island's largest community is the settlement of Galiwinku.
A traditional Aboriginal community with restricted access where permission to visit is required by law.
The workshop, or more aptly described as a local gathering, was held in July at the Nalkanbuy Clinic, Galiwinku and was attended by 20 community members and 13 health professionals, including a GP, mental health nurse, senior aboriginal mental health worker (General Practice Network Northern Territory, GPNNT) and 10 indigenous health workers (from the two Health Services).
The session was facilitated by Vivien Speight, a mental health nurse with the East Arnhem Mental Health Service.
The indigenous health workers arrived at 12pm.
They had not used a wok before, so Vivien and the senior aboriginal mental health worker (GPNNT) showed them how to use it by cooking their meal.
While the workers enjoyed the delights of a stir fry, Vivien presented a framework for understanding “what makes a strong parent” (the concept of “strong” as opposed to “good” resonates with indigenous people).
At 2pm community members arrived. The health workers cooked a stir fry - the first ever cooked by the workers and the first ever eaten by the community!
The group then played Aim High, an assessment and goal setting board game which enables participants to recognise a responsibility or task and then identify the associated emotional response.
Participation in this game gave a voice to the community members to share the struggles and challenges they experience in parenting young children.
Exposure to the parenting framework (in the initial part of the workshop) gave the workers a basis to strategically respond to these concerns.
Just before the workshop concluded, community members presented Vivien with a farewell gift of an art work they had created. Vivien is leaving her post and the region soon and MHPN sincerely thank Vivien for her work and wish her all the best.