Workshop aims
 

Facilitated by a local mental health professional selected and supported by the MHPN, our workshops are designed to foster greater collaboration by bringing together local mental health professionals from a range of disciplines.

Workshops - and the networks they support and create – will offer informal networking opportunities and a forum to discuss interdisciplinary professional approaches to care in the primary mental health sector.

A case study prepared by mental health professionals is discussed by participants over a meal. The available case studies reflect a broad range of mental health issues.

Workshops aim to enable participants to:

• recognise the specific skills offered by other mental health professions in the local area
   
• identify local mental health referral pathways and resources
   
• identify opportunities for on-going professional development and mutual support.
   

The workshop program was developed through an extensive pilot program conducted in 2007 and 2008. Structure, methodology and outcomes were confirmed by the success and popularity of the pilot events.

To register for a workshop, please click here.
 

Structure and duration

The workshops incorporate two major components; a relaxed (but structured) networking activity followed by an interactive case discussion. These activities have been designed to develop participant knowledge about:

• Better Access and other federally funded initiatives
   
• professional roles in mental health collaborative interdisciplinary care
   
• specific details about the mental health landscape for your local area.
   

The workshops are also intended to allow individual professionals to promote their own specialties and interests to other local mental health care providers.

Workshop duration is approximately 2.5 hours and includes a meal paid for by the MHPN. Workshops can take place at any time of day depending on the needs and preferences of local professionals.

Participants

MHPN workshops are targeted towards private practitioners who utilise the Better Access initiative ( GPs, psychiatrists, paediatricians, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists) and mental health nurses. Also welcome to attend are community health workers and anyone who is actively involved in working with mental health consumers - the more diverse the network, the more effective the outcomes.

Participants who  work exclusively in the private sector, or in a combination of the private and public sectors will be eligible for payment. Mental health professionals who work as salaried practitioners are welcome to participate, however will not be eligible for remuneration.

To register for a workshop, please click here.
 

Facilitators

Workshops are led by a facilitator who is usually a mental health professional from the local area. MHPN provides support and resources to facilitators and encourages expressions of interest from mental health professionals who are interested in facilitating a workshop. 
 

For more information on facilitating a workshop, see the Facilitators information.