The application for funding was built on achievements in Phases 1 and 2 of the project, where MHPN succeeded in establishing over 450 clinical networks around the nation, a large proportion of them in regional, rural and remote areas.
The focus for Phase 3 will be on consolidating and strengthening these interdisciplinary mental health networks.
MHPN Chief Executive Officer, Chris Gibbs, said the funding underlined the Federal Government’s commitment to improve mental health for all Australians. The funding also further acknowledged a pillar of mental health care delivery–that collaborative, interdisciplinary groups deliver better outcomes for patients, communities and clinicians.
Some key achievements of MHPN include:
- In the past 13 months, clinicians across Australia have participated in MHPN networks more than 15,000 times. This number matches those who participated in MHPN workshops.
- Over 450 MHPN networks operate in remote, rural, regional and metropolitan Australia
- 1,400 clinicians have participated in the first six MHPN webinars and over 11,600 people have downloaded the webinar podcast recordings
- 125 psychiatrists have participated as guest speakers at MHPN networks.
MHPN networks consist of a range of clinicians including GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, mental health nurses and occupational therapists. Some networks also attract community and emergency personnel with an interest in the impact of mental illness on individuals and the community.
MHPN arranges network meetings where members share clinical experience and ideas for improved referral pathways, leading to better mental health service delivery.
