Mental Health

Aims

In line with the National Mental Health Strategy, Sutherland Division of General Practice supports GPs and their staff to provide early intervention and optimal care for patients with mental health disorders with a view to achieving the best possible health outcomes and reducing the impact of mental disorder on individuals, families and communities.

Steering Committee

The program is guided by a committee consisting of the following members:
GP Members: Dr M Moore, Dr S Wilkins, Dr A Vickers)
Sutherland Division of Mental Health: Dr N Babidge (Senior Psychiatrist); P Cowell (Clinical Psychologist, ATAPS program)
Sutherland Division of General Practice: Gillian Minto Program Officer and Yvonne Rowling CEO

Strategies:

GP Education  

• Provision of information and resources on government programs eg Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative
  Provision of mental health training of interest to all GPs, to those with specific areas of interest eg cognitive behavioural therapy, and to practice staff.

Collaboration   

• Collaborate with Central Network Mental Health and Sutherland Child Youth and Family Counselling Services to provide psychological services via the ATAPS program
• Collaborate with state funded Mental Health Service to enhance patient care
• Work with other organizations with an interest in mental health to improve services in the community eg membership of St George and Sutherland Mental Health Interagency, participation in Youth Network.

Information/Resources  

• Provide information to the community about the GP’s role in management of mental health
• Provide information to GPs on other mental health services provided in the community to enhance patient care
• Maintain a directory of mental health service providers.

Resources

For a complete list of Mental Health Resources please go to the Resource Centre of go to the following links:
Resources for GPs
Resources for your patients