Caring for the mental illness patient in emergency departments - an exploration of the issues from a healthcare provider perspective

To identify issues, from the emergency department clinicians viewpoint, with the management of patients presenting to the emergency department with a mental illness. Background: Despite the introduction of several statewide and national initiatives, barriers remain affecting the care and management of consumers presenting with an mental illness to the emergency department. Improving the responsiveness of mental health services, including the provision of more efficient emergency responses for people in crisis, is a key goal. To achieve responsive mental health services in emergency departments, services are required to work together to ensure appropriate referrals between mainstream services and to those services developed to meet the unique needs of specific population groups.