Mental health
Mental Health
This section includes a range of mental health programs and resources for general practitioners.
Mental health news and announcements
Mental health Programs
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News and announcements
Better Access to Mental Health Program update
28 May 2009: The RACGP has received a letter from the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) clarifying some of the changes to the GP mental health care plan MBS item. The RACGP’s online learning platform, gplearning, offers access to three mental health active learning modules on depression, bipolar and psychosis. All modules are mental health skills training level 1 accredited. Free for all RACGP members or available via subscription. Visit www.gplearning.com.au for more information or free call 1800 284 789.
Mental Health Review newsletter June 2009 - (3MB)
The June 2009 Mental Health Review newsletter covers a wide range of mental health topics, such as caring for patients with dementia and information about preventing and tackling teenage depression. There is also an interesting case study from one of our GP Psych Support psychiatrists, Dr Tracie Hendriks.
The MHR newsletter is a quarterly publication created by the GP Psych Support team and funded by the Department of Health and Ageing.
To submit an article or make an enquiry, please contact Chantelle Augello, chantelle.augello@racgp.org.au
Access previous Mental Health Review newsletters
Mental Health Programs
The RACGP is involved in numerous activities to support the provision of quality mental health care in general practice. Some of the programs the RACGP are involved in are listed below:
General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC)
The RACGP chairs and provides Secretariat support to the GPMHSC. The GPMHSC aims to promote the development and uptake of quality education and training in mental health for GPs and general practice teams. The GPMHSC is funded by the Australian Government under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program.
GP Psych Support
GP Psych Support provides GPs with free patient management advice from a psychiatrist within 24 hours, and includes specialised advice from child and adolescent specialists, and dual diagnosis/drug and alcohol specialists. The service can be accessed by telephone, fax or via the internet 24 hours a day. GP Psych Support is funded by the Australian Government under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program.
Mental Health Professionals' Association (MHPA)
The MHPA aims to foster initiatives and advocacy around mental health care at a national level that aim to improve mental health and wellbeing in the community.
A key current project involves the development of a professional education and clinical networking package aimed at supporting key mental health professional groups to collaboratively.
Mental Health Professionals Network
The purpose of the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) is to improve consumer outcomes in the primary care sector by fostering an ongoing collaborative clinical approach to the provision of mental health care.
