Mental Health

Overview

Objectives

Partners

Achievements

Resources and Links

Contact Officers

Overview

General Practice Tasmania is involved in strategic work developing the important role of general practice in primary mental health care. With 80 % of people with mental health problems presenting to a GP it is clear that general practice and the Divisions network have a key role to play in mental health service delivery and promoting population mental health.

Program Objectives

The Mental Health Program coordinates both Commonwealth and State government mental health initiatives aimed at promoting the effective management of mental health problems in the primary care setting. In summary the mental health team works towards:

• Increased focus on mental health under the Divisions of General Practice Program

• Ongoing support for existing programs in which general practitioners and other primary health care clinicians (including, for example, community nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and other allied health providers) provide mental health care to the community

• Development of sustainable partnerships between GPs, Divisions and specialist mental health services at a local and State level

• Support Divisions deliver quality mental health education, resources and support for General Practitioners and mental health clinicians

• Enhanced access by General Practitioners to psychiatrists

• Provide access to information regarding Australian Government Initiatives including the Better Access to Mental Health Care and Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative

• Foster the development of primary care programs in which general practitioners and mental health professionals provide shared mental health care

• Continue to develop strategies that enhance the role of general practitioners and other primary care providers in delivering mental health care, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Partners

General Practice Tasmania has partnerships with the following organisations in the Mental Health program:

• Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

• Tasmanian State Department of Health and Human Services

• The DLO continues to focus on strategic linkages with state health and other key stakeholders including Divisions of General Practice and other non-government organisations, as well as participate in activities around promotion, prevention and early intervention

Achievements

Achievements within the Mental Health program include:

• Liaison with Divisions of General Practice, Department of Health and Human Services, Mental Health Services and other non-government organisation stakeholders about their activities, needs and support requirements.

• Coordination of regular meetings between the Mental Health program officers in the three Divisions in Tasmania. This state-wide network has national links and provides resources and information sharing, support and innovation, and has been crucial in the implementation of state and national initiatives across the whole of Tasmania. Division program officers have developed strategic links at the local level and using their specific knowledge of their region, are able to quickly and effectively tailor programs to suit local conditions.

• Regular liaison with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and the State COAG Coordination Team.

• Work with the Australian Divisions of General Practice National Primary Mental Health Care Coordinator as part of the Primary Mental Health Care Network.

Contact Officer(s)