GP Mental Health Resources

NEW MBS ITEM NUMBERS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

In November 2006 the government introduced the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative. Click here to view the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing website for further details.

REFERRAL TEMPLATES FOR GPs

OUTCOME TOOLS

PAEDIATRIC SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST (3 – 16 year olds)

One parent-report questionnaire for children aged 3-16 years. One self-report questionnaire. Available in some other languages. Simpler scoring process than SDQ. Click below for:

Further information can be found online at http://www.massgeneral.org/allpsych/PediatricSymptomChecklist/psc_order.htm

STRENGTHS AND DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONNAIRE (4 – 17 year olds)

Available in various versions, depending on age group and whether parent- or self-report. Available in various languages. Complex scoring process. Used by clinical psychologists in child and adolescent mental health services in Australia. Click below for:

What is the SDQ? http://www.sdqinfo.com/b1.html

Scoring guidelines. Link to http://www.sdqinfo.com/b4.html  Further information can be found online at http://www.sdqinfo.com/

ATAPS PROGRAM

CBT TRAINING AND PATIENT SELF-HELP MODULES:

In conjunction with Sutherland Division of Mental Health, our Division has developed a number of patient self-help modules based on psychological therapies commonly employed in helping people with anxiety disorders or depression. These were originally intended to be given to patients by a GP who had undertaken mental health training in these techniques.

GP training documents and resources:

Patient self-help modules:

LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS

Psychologists:

Alternatively, on the website of the Australian Psychological Society you will find a list of psychologists in NSW: http://www.psychology.org.au/prac_resources/medicare/providerlists/

For a searchable database on psychologists who are members of the APS, go to http://www.psychology.org.au/FindaPsychologist/Default.aspx?ID=1204

Psychiatrists:

For patient management advice from psychiatrists within 24 hours, by phone, fax or email, contact GP Psych Support on: https://www.psychsupport.com.au/default_home.asp or phone 1800 200 588.

Drug and Alcohol Services:

GP MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION

• The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration is responsible for establishing and monitoring mental health education for GPs. For more information click here: http://www.racgp.org.au/mentalhealth/gpmhsc
• The Black Dog Institute is based in Sydney and runs regular mental health education workshops and seminars for GPs. For more information click here: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/clinicians/overview/index.cfm
• Online mental health training for GPs is available from RACGP’s gplearning service at: http://www.racgp.org.au/education/

USEFUL MENTAL HEALTH LINKS

The addresses / links below will take you to specific web pages dealing with particular issues (eg treatments for depression and anxiety) however, these websites contain much more information. To find out about other aspects of mental illness, you may find it useful to click on the 'home' button when you are in these other sites.

• National alcohol guidelines http://www.alcohol.gov.au
• Alcohol and Other Drugs resources (Alliance of NSW Divisions -click on Programs, then Alcohol and Other Drugs) http://www.answd.com.au
• Information on a range of drugs http://www.beyondblue.org.au
• beyondblue, national depression initiative site http://www.crufad.unsw.edu.au
• Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUFAD) site http://bluepages.anu.edu.au
• Several organisations including Australian National University and Centre for Mental Health Research contribute to this site http://moodgym.edu.au
• Anxiety and Depression prevention site. CBT online http://www.healthinsite.gov.au
• A large Australian Health site with high quality information http://www.acpm.org.au
• The Australian College of Psychological Medicine site http://www.sane.org
• SANE Australia. Information, education, research www.mentalhealth.asn.au/home.htm
• Mental Health Association NSW Inc. Wide range of factsheets http://www.reachout.com.au
• ReachOut – support for young people http://www.depressionet.com.au 
• Multicultural Mental Health Australia. Keep up-to-date with the latest information on resources, services, research, conferences and events relating to multicultural mental health http://www.mmha.org.au 
• List of websites providing translated mental health information http://www.mmha.org.au/translations/websites-offering-translated-mental-health-factsheets
• List of bilingual mental health professionals throughout Australia: http://www.mmha.org.au/translations/bi-lingual-mental-health-workers-directory
• Reality Check - A practical resource that examines factors leading to under-utilisation of services by CALD communities and provides a checklist of 10 things that will make a difference in improving CALD service provision. http://www.mmha.org.au/mmha-products/books-and-resources/reality-check
• Beyond Words - This resource provides a model for delivery on promoting mental health issues and learning from CALD communities. The booklet also contains a checklist for organisations wanting to develop multilingual resources. http://www.mmha.org.au/mmha-products/books-and-resources/beyond-words-lessons-on-translation-trust-and-meaning-from-the-no-more-2018mualagh2019-
  project 
• Cultural Awareness Tool (CAT) - A practical guide designed to provide guidance to primary care mental health practitioners for developing a culturally aware approach to working with mental health consumers.http://www.mmha.org.au/mmha-products/books-and-resources/cultural-awareness-tool-cat
• In Their Own Right - An assessment tool to support carers in their role providing information about the issues they, and the service providers who work with them face. http://www.mmha.org.au/mmha-products/books-and-resources/in-their-own-right
• Reducing Stigma - An educational tool to assist both mental health workers and consumer & carers to develop strategies within their communities to reduce stigma. http://www.mmha.org.au/mmha-products/books-and-resources/reducing-stigma-about-mental-illness-in-transcultural-settings-a-guide  

Other links are available in the consumer resources section of this website.