Saturday, July 25, 2009

NSW Community Mental Health Strategy 2007-2012

From prevention and early intervention to recovery -
Summary
What is the NSW Community Mental Health Strategy 2007-2012?

The NSW Community Mental Health Strategy 2007-2012 describes the future model for community mental health services in NSW. This model provides a framework for improving responses to the needs of people with a mental illness or disorder and their families and carers. It covers services delivered across NSW, across the age range, across diverse communities and in collaboration with service partners. The purpose of this Strategy is to guide NSW Health, NSW Area Mental Health Services and non-government organisations (NGOs) in the implementation of this model.
The Strategy is underpinned by significant investment from the NSW Government - over $939 million over five years will be spent on the initiatives outlined in the Strategy. What does the Strategy aim to achieve? The Strategy aims to achieve improved outcomes in mental health by delivering comprehensive recovery oriented community mental health services across NSW. These services will: promote mental health and well being; embed a recovery approach to service delivery; prevent and/or intervene early in the onset or recurrence of mental illness; improve evidence based practice in community supports and services; enhance community responses to mental health emergencies and acute care needs. The Strategy renews a focus on community mental health and highlights a reform of mental health services to strengthen and develop the capacity of the mental health workforce (public and NGO) and key service partners, GPs other primary health care services and other government agencies. Rehabilitation is positioned as a core program for all public sector and NGO mental health services. Access to rehabilitation from the earliest point of contact with services will assist to promote the recovery of people with a mental illness or disorder. Principles of Community Mental Health Care: All of the community mental health services outlined in the model apply recovery-focused service principles. This is supported through applying evidence-based practices, ensuring service integration and providing individualised care to encourage consumers' community participation. Promotion, prevention and early intervention initiatives are also essential to enhance the well being of the overall community and ensure early access to treatment. Each of these latter five principles are inter related, as they are all aspects of providing recovery focused care. The service is also supported by underlying frameworks to ensure the quality and safety of care. What is the NSW Community Mental Health Service Model? The Strategy outlines a community mental health service model comprising two key components: Specialist Community Mental Health Services; Community Mental Health Partnerships.

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