Mental Health Network - Friday, 1st June 2007

Agenda

Please click here to view the agenda  (38Kb)

Aims of this meeting:

  • Inform participants of the national developments of the COAG Mental Health reforms, notably the Better Access program, the Mental Health Nurse Initiative, the Rural and Remote funding and the work of AGPN in relation to these programs and of local division responses to some of these programs;
  • Inform participants of the trends in demand for ATAPS and invite feedback from divisions in small groups;
  • Invite discussion from participants regarding options for GP mental health training through the RACGP;
  • Inform participants of the findings and progress of the Diamond consortium research program in depression in general practice;
  • Showcase the different models of Community Youth Services funded through headspace in Victoria and provide an opportunity for discussion.


COAG Mental Health Initiatives

Leanne Wells, Manager, Policy and Development, AGPN and Jane Wesley, Co-ordinator, Primary Mental Health Care Network, AGPN, provided an update on developments in the education and training funding for Better Access, the Mental Health Nurse initiative, the Rural and Remote funding under the COAG Mental Health Reform agenda. Northern division also spoke briefly on their proposed implementation of the Mental Health Nurse initiative.

Please click here to view Leanne Wells and Jane Wesley's  presentation  (163Kb) 

Robyn Humphrey, Manager, Northern Area Mental Health Service
Kay Dufty, Mental Health Co-ordinator, Northern Division

ATAPS Demand Management

Justine Fletcher, Bridget Bassilios, Fay Kohn - Research Fellows, ATAPS Evaluation Team, Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics (formerly the Program Evaluation Unit), University of Melbourne made a presentation on current data on the trends in demand for ATAPS. There was opportunities for division staff to discuss implementation issues about ATAPS with the evaluation team and in small groups.

Please click here to view Justine Fletcher, Fay Kohn and Bridget Bassilios'  presentation  (549Kb) 

ATAPS and Better Access: Small Group Discussion

Division staff had the opportunity to discuss ATAP and Better Access issues at the local level in small groups.

Diamond Consortium Update on Research in Depression

Professor Jane Gunn made a presentation on the most recent findings of the Diamond longitudinal study. Funded by the NMHRC and beyondblue, this study has obtained a cohort of 791 patients with depressive symptoms from 30 Victorian GP practices in 2005, followed over 12 months. The study has been awarded funding to continue for a further two years.

GP Mental Health Training
Julian Thomas, RACGP, discussed options for GP mental health training for later this year.

Headspace Update
Craig Hodges, Co-ordinator, Victorian Headspace Community of Youth Services gave a brief overview of developments in Victoria. Three presentations were made from the Victorian Consortia, recently awarded large grants:

  • John Moran, General Manger, Orygen Research Centre and Western Melbourne Headspace
  • Stuart Lee, Project Officer, Headspace Southern Melbourne
  • Toni van Hammond, Project Manager, Headspace Barwon

Please click here to view Craig Hodges'  presentation  (440Kb) 

Please click here to view Stuart Lee's  presentation  (1144Kb) 

Please click here to view Toni van Hammond's  presentation  (503Kb)