Abstract
This presentation will describe an innovative approach to increasing access to psychological services to the communities in far East Gippsland, Victoria. It is well documented that individuals experiencing psychological distress and/or mental illness who live in rural and remote locations commonly encounter significant challenges accessing psychological support and treatment services. Factors that contribute to this situation include: geography, distance, stoicism, stigma, mental health workforce shortages and the limited range of treatment services available. Improving access to psychological services for communities living in the north eastern area of East Gippsland Shire was an identified priority of the Gippsland Primary Health Network 2016 needs analysis.
A novel approach that involves local Bush Nurses triaging community members presenting with psychological distress and/or mental illness and facilitating referral to an appropriate service and/or specialist assessment within a stepped model of care. The model of care options include: community capacity building; e- mental health; psychological support services; primary health services; and specialist mental health services. This novel model of care is being Implemented and evaluated by a collaboration involving the Royal Flying Doctor Service, local health services, the regional clinical mental health service, the Primary Health Network and a University Department of Rural Health.
References
1. Moore, T., Sutton, K. & Maybery, D. (2010). Rural mental health workforce difficulties: a management perspective. Rural and Remote Health. 10: 1519. (Online) 2010. Available at: http://www.rrh.org.au .
2. Boyd, CP., Aisbett, DL., Francis, K., Kelly, M., Newnham, K. & Newnham, K. (2006). Issues in rural adolescent mental health services in Australia. Rural and Remote Health. 6: 501. (Online) 2010. Available at: http://www.rrh.org.au .
Three Key words: Service systems implementation; Innovation; Early Intervention.
Learning Objectives:
1) The audience will take away real world ideas of how to improve access to psychological support and mental health treatment services for rural and remote communities.
2) This topic provides an example of an inter-sectoral approach to improving access to mental health services in a rural and remote setting.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 30 Aug 2017 |
| Event | Mental Health Services (MHS) Conference 2017: Embracing Change: Through Innovation and Lived Experience - Hilton, Sydney, Australia Duration: 29 Aug 2017 → 1 Sept 2017 Conference number: 27th https://www.themhs.org/past-conferences.php/29/embracing-change-through-innovation-and-lived-experience |
Conference
| Conference | Mental Health Services (MHS) Conference 2017 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | TheMHS 2017 |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Sydney |
| Period | 29/08/17 → 1/09/17 |
| Internet address |
