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Objective: The aim of this article was to examine the concept of mental health and the policies that have been advanced to improve the wellbeing of the population. Conclusions: In the last century there have been many changes in the phenomena of psychiatric disorder, the management of those disorders and the outcomes. All of the changes have largely been due to the efforts of those working pragmatically at the coalface. There is little to suggest that the plans and programs advanced in the last half century have achieved more than enhancing the status of those who advance them. Conclusion: It is difficult to define mental health and equally difficult to develop a comprehensive program that will benefit the whole field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This paper describes the rationale for and development of an innovative mental health service for people aged over 65 years living in Northern and Eastern Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Conclusion: The Healthy Ageing Service (HAS) was established in July 2020 to provide care for people aged over 65 years experiencing mild-to-moderate mental health concerns. It embraces a prevention and early intervention model of care. It provides primary consultation and brief intervention, secondary consultation, and capacity building to the primary healthcare sector. This innovative service is a Commonwealth-funded partnership between two tertiary mental health service providers that incorporates the recommendations from two major Royal Commissions. It demonstrates a service that acts as a bridge between primary and specialist mental health care, thereby extending mental health services to target the 'missing middle' and is potentially a model for mental health service provision throughout Victoria and Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Doctors' mental health has received renewed attention given the epidemic of burnout, high suicide rates and the recent pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Internationally, various service designs and primary prevention initiatives have been trialled to address these needs. Systemic barriers such as stigma as well as individual characteristics of doctors have historically prevented access to mental health services. This paper outlines the Australian service context from which a new publicly funded doctors' mental health programme emerged. Methods: A narrative review of current services and a description of the challenges is outlined. Results: A picture of urgency and unmet needs emerged with particular challenges, such as the need for privacy. Conclusions: Doctors' mental health is an urgent priority with direct impacts on patient safety and care. The complex context and the unmet need suggest the focus must go far beyond burnout and has prompted the establishment of a new service model designed to complement existing services in the Australian context, to be described in a sister paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explain the new test for complying with the mental health principles under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic). Conclusion: The principles carry over limitations from the previous Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic) while also containing new features. The 'all reasonable efforts to comply' and 'proper consideration' tests resemble the existing test under section 38(1) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) that also apply to public mental health services. Taking these duties together, public mental health services, including hospital and community mental health boards, clinical directors and clinical governance processes, will need to show concrete evidence of specific rights and/or principles being deliberated in their decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper updates clinicians and service leaders on evidence bases relevant to rehabilitation for older Australians with mental illness. Methods: Narrative review of literature and relevant public domain data supported by reflections on NSW service development. Results: There is a paucity of high-quality evidence regarding mental health rehabilitation in older people. Available evidence supports integrating lessons from physical healthcare with adaptations of 'adult' mental health rehabilitation. Adaptation is required to respond to the specific needs, strengths and service use of older people with mental illness. Challenges for older people include ageism, increased physical and cognitive comorbidities, lower access to mental health services and earlier residential aged care entry. Strengths of older people include an ongoing desire for recovery, ongoing developmental change and often closer connections with carers and GPs. Evidence is consistent with evaluation of relevant NSW service models and initiatives including the Pathways to Community Living Initiative. Integration of recovery-oriented practice and wellness models may provide a framework for future innovative inpatient and community-based models. Conclusions: There is sufficient evidence to guide development of models of rehabilitation with older people, but innovation and evaluation are essential if older people are to have equal opportunities in their recovery journeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Managing mental health patients during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a global challenge. Current workforce arrangements tend to separate those skilled in caring for highly infectious medical patients from those whose specialism is in managing co-morbid mental health, substance misuse and/or behaviours of concern, including potential non-compliance with community or health care directives. This paper reports an innovative service development through the emergency establishment of a temporary COVID-positive mental health ward in response to a local outbreak in Melbourne. Method: A case study of service reorientation is presented, examining barriers and enablers to effective care of co-morbid mental illness, addiction and COVID-19. Results: Establishing a skilled multidisciplinary workforce across mental health and infectious disease is the most important consideration in optimising care. Other issues included suitable physical space, security arrangements and inter-disciplinary communication. Conclusions: The paper holds insights for managing mental health care during potential future infectious disease outbreaks across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Russell Meares, a prominent figure in Australian psychiatry, passed away in 2024 after a long and influential career. Meares was known for his ability to integrate scientific thought with the humanities, and he continued to work and publish until his final illness. He developed the Conversational Model (CM), a psychodynamic therapy that has been effective in treating patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Meares made significant contributions to the field through his academic achievements, founding the Academic Department of Psychiatry at the Austin Hospital and the Brain Dynamic Centre. He published numerous scientific papers and books, and his work inspired generations of psychiatrists. Meares' legacy is celebrated and he is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Clinical reasoning in psychiatry may be considered to be more challenging than in other branches of medicine because of its highly subjective nature. The literature on systematic approaches to the teaching of clinical reasoning in psychiatry is lacking, and we propose an approach that may assist educators and learners. Method: A systematic approach with a theoretical underpinning in logical inferences will be proposed as a teaching and learning tool. Conclusion: This paper complements our previous paper on psychiatric case formulation and expands our model of a theoretical framework for diagnostic reasoning and case formulation in psychiatry. Our approach also serves as a tool to assist in integrating the diverse clinical knowledge base in psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: As mental health services move towards implementing 'Trauma-informed care', there is a need to consider the challenges posed within services and systems. This paper raises some of the challenges associated with integrating TIC into the current public mental health system.. Conclusion: The lack of clarity about expectations of trauma-informed approaches causes difficulties for its integration into services, but the wider political context of mental health services is also of relevance. Transparent and ongoing debate is required about approaches to mental health care, to ensure the system meets the needs of those who require it, while questioning what other purposes it may be serving at social and political levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Doctors' mental health has received increased focus recently and has been met with a variety of systemic responses. A Professional Support Unit (PSU) in a public hospital was established to address service gaps. This paper aims to describe the care of doctors referred to this service. Methods: Participants in the first four cases were referred to the PSU and assessed by the first author. Results: The cases revealed: (i) variety of referral sources, symptom presentations and backgrounds of doctors referred to a dedicated doctors' health service; and (ii) the person-centred, multi-modal treatments and adjunctive services required. Conclusion: Doctors' mental health is an urgent priority, with direct impacts on patient safety and care. The mix of patients presented here suggest difficulties beyond burnout and highlight the workings of a new service model designed to complement existing services in the Australian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Person-centred growth-oriented language and care are considered vital for achieving favourable outcomes in mental health care. Personal testimonies detailed in the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System (RCVMHS) illustrate the need for a more compassionate and hope filled system, and demonstrate the opportunity to achieve this through embedding best practice person-centred growth-oriented language. A current gap exists in understanding the process and language involved in individuals growing to mental health. Recovery has long been the paradigm for people in the mental health system 'returning to baseline', a stark contrast to our lived experience. We experienced a new beginning post decline, daily personal growth and healing, aiming for constant improvement as we work towards mental health, a status that many may not have even experienced before becoming unwell. Conclusions: Person-centred growth-oriented care includes healing, supportive relationships with the 'caregivers' ideally being transformation specialists; knowing and understanding the process of daily personal growth. While the system is metamorphosing, it is highly recommended to embed person-centred growth-oriented language and care to aid in the transformation of individuals in the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We describe an independent model of clinical academic mental health services research that is able to provide synthesised views for medico-political organisations that are engaged in advocacy for national and state evidence-based policy and planning of mental healthcare.Conclusions: CAPIPRA focuses on independent research and policy analysis using publicly available datasets on population mental health at national and state/territory levels, published in international and national peer-reviewed journals (>50 papers since 2019). We partner with medico-political organisations in evidence-based advocacy across a wide range of issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe a recent process by which mental health service sector leaders identified key elements of strategic, systemic and structural mental health reform. These elements could guide an incoming Federal government. Method: The paper describes the process undertaken by the Sydney Mental Health Policy Forum between 2019 and 2022. This work generated principles, key domains and finally a set of actions. Results: Five immediate actions were identified that are cost neutral or require minimal investment. Five further actions requiring realignment of existing funds and/or new funds were also identified. Conclusions: The task of mental health reform in Australia is both large and overdue. Continued investment in fragmented or piecemeal programmes and services will not propel desired change. Reform must facilitate new regional control of planning, funding and responding to community mental health needs. The actions identified by the Forum set out a menu of opportunities to guide reform over the life of the next Parliament, starting now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: With increasing levels of cultural diversity, it is important that mental health services are relevant and accessible to new migrant populations. Efforts have been made to bring attention to the unique experiences and needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) sub-groups in clinical settings, resulting in various frameworks and professional development workshops. While some of these strategies have raised awareness and persuaded service providers to accommodate different populations, few are effective and genuinely impact consumer outcomes. Conclusion: This paper proposes an integrated cross-cultural assessment framework comprising both clinical and organisational components to improve cross-cultural clinical encounters and consumer satisfaction. The framework underscores the importance of the therapeutic alliance through the building of rapport and trust. Moreover, the framework is designed to be organisationally feasible, and locally and practically oriented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, our mental health service experimented with working from home. The flexibility of this practice can enable improved efficiency, staff well-being and expanded operating hours in the longer term. This paper shares our experiences and makes recommendations for being a part of and leading distributed clinical teams.Conclusions: We saw a 3% increase in total appointment bookings and a 7% reduction in cancellations/non-attendance compared to the same period in 2019. Based on our experience and the literature, effective distributed teams have leaders that connect via video at least weekly; focus on transparency and output over micromanagement; prioritise staff relationships and err towards overcommunication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The rapidly growing number of people in prison in Australia, combined with the high prevalence of mental disorder in this population, results in high demand for mental health services in prison settings. Despite their critical role as part of a national mental health response, prison mental health services (PMHS) in Australia have been poorly characterised. In this paper, we describe findings of the first national survey of PMHS in Australia.Methods: We distributed a survey to key representatives of PMHS in all Australian states and territories in 2016.Results: Our method constitutes a replicable process for quantifying and comparing PMHS in Australia. We describe the structure, governance and staffing models in seven jurisdictions. When compared against international recommendations, only one Australian jurisdiction (the ACT) is funded to provide services at a level equivalent to mental health services provided in the community.Conclusion: Prison mental health services in Australia are delivered by a complex mix of government, private sector and non-government services. Services appear to be severely under-resourced when compared with the available benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Implementing the Towards Zero Suicide (TZS) approach to suicide prevention in older adults requires evidence-based adaptation. This paper aims to highlight important differences and opportunities in healthcare service use by older adults relevant to implementation. Conclusion: The TZS approach may prevent suicide in older adults, but only if implementation aligns with systemic differences in healthcare utilisation by older people. Of greatest importance in older adults are (1) most mental healthcare is delivered outside of specialist mental health services; (2) physical conditions and disability are major modifiable contributors to suicide that must be addressed within TZS; and (3) older people have very low use of Medicare-funded psychological services. Primary healthcare providers, who may be seeing older people at risk of suicide, are often neither equipped to provide expert assessment and care planning for often complex needs, nor may see this as their role. However, they are essential in providing pathways to care, which may prevent suicide. Leaders must recognise TZS for older people will usually involve multiple transitions. This requires engagement of key services with clear roles, targeted training, rapid access to specialist older persons mental health support and development of a new TZS element: the navigator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This opinion paper aims to provide an overview of the current evidence base supporting the use of music therapy in mental health care. It also aims to offer critique on the issue of access to music therapy in Australia. Conclusions: There is a strong evidence base for music therapy to provide symptomatic relief and improve quality of life for people living with mental illness. However, music therapy is underfunded and framed as a supplementary service within mental health services in Australia, which limits its access to consumers. Funding music therapy as an evidence-based treatment option would fill an existing service gap and provide equitable access to a cost-effective and often consumer preferred treatment option for mental health consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper provides a commentary on the risk of moral injury amongst psychiatrists and trainees working in the acute psychiatric hospital sector, during the third winter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Moral injuries arise from observing, causing or failing to prevent adverse outcomes that transgress core ethical and moral values. Potentially, morally injurious events (PMIEs) are more prevalent and potent while demand on acute hospitals is heightened with the emergence of highly infectious SARS-CoV-2-Omicron subvariants (BA.4 and BA.5). Acute hospital inpatient services were already facing extraordinary stresses in the context of increasingly depleted infrastructure and staffing related to the pandemic. These stresses have a high potential to be morally injurious. It is essential to immediately fund additional staff and resources and address workplace health and safety, to seek to arrest a spiral of moral injury and burnout amongst psychiatrists and trainees. We discuss recommended support strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:: The study describes the implementation and adaptation of a brief intervention model as routine clinical practice in an acute care service.Methods:: An action research process informed the evaluation and design of the intervention.Results:: The model's theoretical framework enhanced clinical practice and benefited consumers, though it was too rigid to be implemented in an acute care setting, so was adapted to suit this environment.Conclusions:: This paper highlights the value in realigning practice with fundamental engagement principles to improve practice outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:: This paper describes, from the personal perspective of a mid-career researcher, principles and advice regarding the development of an embedded clinical psychiatric research program within a medical school and public sector mental health service. From this experience, some general principles are drawn.Conclusions:: Through careful strategic planning, together with collaboration with the mental health service, it is possible to bootstrap and develop an embedded clinical research program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aims of this paper are to discuss the issues surrounding multidisciplinary teamwork and to enunciate a set of educational aims and objectives for RANZCP trainees and supervisors to utilise in training rotations that involve the trainee in multidisciplinary teamwork. Conclusions: The paper identifies a number of key areas in multidisciplinary teamwork, including role definition, leadership, clinical responsibility and accountability, and understanding between the professions. The paper proposes that effective teamwork is supported by key factors including agreed goals, an agreed plan, effective communication styles, clear team roles, and competent leadership. The paper also presents the advantages of collaborative teamwork, including continuity of care, the ability to take a comprehensive view of the patient, the availability of a range of skills, and mutual professional support and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper aims to describe current approaches in Victoria to the development of perinatal and infant mental health services in regional areas.Method: The paper outlines the significance of perinatal mental disorder for maternal wellbeing and impact on infant development, and describes the model of care at the Agnes Unit.Results: The Agnes Unit has been established as a residential therapeutic unit offering short-term treatment that focusses on promoting parental mental health, parenting sensitivity and the parent-infant relationship.Conclusions: A coordinated and integrated approach with focus on early intervention is needed to deliver perinatal and infant mental health services. Services need to focus on the infant and parent-infant relationship in addition to parental mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This opinion paper discusses certain recommendations of the House of Representatives Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention pertaining to psychology, GP and psychiatric professions. Conclusions: The Committee's recommendations may compromise patient care by undermining the ability of private sector medical specialists in providing direct clinical treatment and their role in the coordination of multidisciplinary teams. Expanding private psychological therapies without GP and private psychiatry support might increase the reliance on public hospital emergency departments and public sector mental health services for severe disorders and suicidal crises. Psychiatrists and GPs need to engage in more effective policy advocacy with the Australian Government, in order to maintain their roles in leading private sector collaborative multidisciplinary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Classification systems and their practical implications have become increasingly important in child and adolescent psychiatry. This paper presents the evolution and practical applications of a multiaxial classification system for children and adolescents presenting to mental health services. Included are some worked examples demonstrating both the complexity of many presentations and how broadening the use of the multiaxial system can help in identifying appropriate interventions. Conclusions: Classification systems in child and adolescent psychiatry have largely remained uniaxial in nature. A multiaxial system encapsulates the broader biopsychosocial aspects of the presenting child or adolescent, and orders complex data in a concise manner. This approach can be used to concisely communicate with other treating clinicians, and assist with case reviews, formulation and teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper discusses issues arising from the rapid implementation of metropolitan telepsychiatry in private practice during the Covid-19 public health emergency.Conclusions: The relatively rapid uptake of private practice metropolitan telepsychiatry may further increase flexibility of the options for appointments through ongoing broad telepsychiatry access after the Covid-19 crisis. Telepsychiatry can be used to facilitate the temporary provision of psychiatric care, and has benefits and risks, but is not a longer-term replacement for the interpersonal richness of face-to-face consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper reports the capabilities of mental health nurse (MHN) psychotherapists in Australia and their perceptions on how to best utilize their skills.Method: An MHN is a registered nurse with recognized specialist qualifications in mental health nursing. One hundred and fifty three MHNs completed an online survey; 12 were interviewed.Results: Three themes were derived from a qualitative analysis of the aggregated data: psychotherapy skills of MHN psychotherapists are under-utilized; these nurses bridge gaps between biomedical and psychosocial service provision; and equitable access to rebates in the primary care sector is an obstacle to enabling access to services.Conclusions: MHN psychotherapists are a potentially valuable resource to patients in tertiary and primary health care. They offer capacity to increase access to specialist psychotherapy services for complex and high risk groups, while being additionally capable of meeting patients' physical and social needs. Equitable access to current funding streams including Medicare rebates can enable these outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper identifies publicly available data about the use of involuntary treatment orders within Australia and considers whether this reporting is sufficient given the gravity of the intervention.Method: A search of mental health tribunal, health department and justice department annual reports was conducted to determine the use of involuntary treatment orders in Australia.Results: Reporting of involuntary treatment orders varied significantly across jurisdictions; for example, South Australia reported 11,570 distinct orders made during a 12-month period while the Australian Capital Territory reported 627 for the same period.Conclusion: The publicly available data for involuntary treatment orders in Australia is inadequate for jurisdictional comparisons. This concern should be addressed to enable transparent public reporting and facilitate benchmarking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to describe the development and technical specifications of a framework and national key performance indicators (KPIs) for Australian mental health Court Liaison Services (CLSs) by the National Mental Health Court Liaison Performance Working Group (Working Group).Methods: Representatives from each Australian State and Territory were invited to form a Working Group. Through a series of national workshops and meetings, a framework and set of performance indicators were developed using a review of literature and expert opinion.Results: A total of six KPIs for CLSs have been identified and a set of technical specifications have been formed.Conclusions: This paper describes the process and outcomes of a national collaboration to develop a framework and KPIs. The measures have been developed to support future benchmarking activities and to assist services to identify best practice in this area of mental health service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper provides the rationale for the development of sub-specialty training in youth psychiatry. Method: Training needs for youth psychiatry are discussed and the opportunities provided by sub-specialisation in youth psychiatry are presented. Results: The majority of mental disorders have their onset prior to 25 years. There has been substantial recent growth in services to meet the clinical needs of young people. The development of these services has exposed gaps in current training for psychiatrists, which varies considerably between child and adolescent, and adult psychiatry. Competencies acquired by psychiatrists in youth mental health are non-standardised, which may hinder optimal care. Conclusions: Sub-specialty training in youth psychiatry is needed to meet workforce demands. The development of a certificate in youth psychiatry, by the RANZCP Section for Youth Mental Health, is underway. This will complement existing training and provide trainees and psychiatrists the opportunity to develop specialist skills in the provision of mental health care for young people negotiating the transition between adolescence and adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify promising elements of best practice relevant to mainstream mental health service (MHS) delivery of early psychosis intervention (EPI) to Indigenous communities. In a companion paper, a comprehensive literature review identified a promising service model with potential for delivering EPI: an Indigenous sub-team embedded within a mainstream health service. Method: This paper describes a consultation process with Indigenous Mental Health Workers (IMHWs) in south eastern Queensland. A case study of the Sunshine Coast Cultural Healing Program (CHP-SC) was carried out during the consultation process. Results: IMHWs agreed that the Australian clinical guidelines for early psychosis were relevant to improving outcomes for Indigenous patients. IMHWs unanimously identified the CHP-SC as a best practice mainstream MHS for delivering EPI. The CHP-SC, which represented an Indigenous sub-team model, was found to be associated with substantially improved engagement of Indigenous young people. Conclusions: We provisionally conclude that specialist EPI could be delivered by specialist Indigenous sub-teams (rather than specialist EPI teams) embedded in mainstream MHSs that incorporate culturally safe practice and are fully integrated with Indigenous primary care services, and recommend that the model be formally evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients admitted to mental health services may exhibit behaviours of concern (BOCs) such as aggression, self-harm, absconding and sexual harm. BOCs can lead to restrictive interventions, which have adverse effects on patients, carers and staff. This paper aims to explore the nature and outcome of BOCs within an adult inpatient mental health setting.Methods: A retrospective audit was conducted at a metropolitan inpatient service between 1 August 2016 and 31 July 2017. The frequency, nature and outcomes of BOC episodes were described and thematic analysis was used to summarise BOC antecedents.Results: A BOC was documented for 179 (18.2%) patients who also showed high rates of drug abuse, homelessness and longer admission. Most self-harm and sexual harm events occurred outside of normal business hours. Medications and verbal de-escalation were commonly used interventions. Episodes of deliberate self-harm were likely to result in patient and staff injury or mechanical restraint, whereas aggression was associated with seclusion. Mental state, care engagement, physiological stress and situational stressor were identified as BOC antecedents.Conclusion: Multiple forms of BOCs were experienced with mental state, physical and interpersonal contributors identified. Improving multidisciplinary input into early assessment and treatment of BOC causes is needed to improve safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This paper discusses the phenomenon of re-disorganisation as it applies to publicly-funded mental health services. The term refers to the constant reorganisation of services in the absence of evidence and of unclear benefit. We illustrate the problems of re-disorganisation with some hypothetical examples, as well as discussing the context of these problems.Conclusions: The re-disorganisation of public mental health services may be considered a politically expedient administrative response resulting in the illusion of activity and progress. It may be intentional or unintentional. Re-disorganisation can detract from effective policy, planning and implementation of improvements in provision of public mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The physical health and well-being of mental health patients have been a concern to health professionals for many years. However, very few positive gains have been made to address this problem. This paper outlines the efforts of the Inner North Brisbane Mental Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, to design and implement a structured educational programme, aimed at addressing and encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviours in its community mental health service recipients. Methods: Three programme modules were designed, addressing the topics of Nutrition and Healthy Eating, Physical Health, and Community Based Activities and Interests. Referral of patients to the programme was by their case manager or doctor. At the conclusion of each module, participants were asked to complete a satisfaction survey evaluating the programmes. The survey also gathered feedback regarding any suggestions and/or recommendations to improve content suitability and relevance. Results: Since commencing the Healthy Living Program, each module has been conducted at least twice, the topic of Healthy Eating receiving the most referrals and therefore conducted most frequently. To date, 35 satisfaction surveys have been evaluated. The overwhelming majority of respondents offered very positive feedback about the programme, most being able to identify some healthy lifestyle changes they planned to make in response to programme attendance. Conclusions: This paper highlights the importance of incorporating healthy lifestyle programmes into mental health service delivery. The majority of patients who have attended the Healthy Living Program have indicated satisfaction with the content, but as yet information pertaining to long-term lifestyle change has not been collated. The next phase aims to examine whether the programme attendance has more long-term outcomes in improving health and well-being and promoting healthy behaviour change of mental health service recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This paper sets out a process for the elective closure of a clinical practice. The details are described for a particular example of a practice closure. The common elements to all practice closures are identified. A range of other factors which may be relevant to other practice closure circumstances are also listed and the literature is referenced.Conclusions: The closure of a clinical practice is a major stage in professional life and merits preparation, support and accessible resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mother Baby Units provide mental health care to parents experiencing severe perinatal mental illness. The majority of admitted parents identify as mothers and are the birthing parent and primary caregiver for their infants. However, there is increasing recognition of transgender and gender diverse people who birth and parent infants, as well as awareness of the mental health needs of fathers, people in same-sex relationships, and other non-birthing parents. As such there are moves to use ungendered language for health services including renaming these units as Parent Baby Units. This paper explores this debate, critically reflecting on emergent tensions.Movements towards, and resistance against, changing language in perinatal mental health care are attempts to ensure the visibility of groups within mainstream services. Whether to adopt new terminology is a complex question. But ensuring MBUs meet the needs of people who require them should remain paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Specialised mental healthcare delivery is highly labour intensive, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated workforce shortfalls. We explore the information on the mental healthcare labour supply in Australia from a health policy viewpoint. Our purpose is to stimulate discussion, further research and development of interventions. Conclusions: The mental healthcare labour market has a number of features that make it prone to shortages and other distortions. These include: the labour-intensive nature of healthcare work;, long-training periods; that traditional policy levers like pay are only partially effective; as well as other challenges in retaining and recruiting mental health nurses and psychiatrists, especially in public mental health services. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether a brief educational intervention for Junior Medical Officers (JMOs), using teaching methods aimed at achieving higher outcomes on Bloom's Taxonomy, significantly improved participant confidence and knowledge in decision making about restrictive care. Method: JMOs received a teaching session on restrictive medical and mental health care. Groups were randomly assigned to either sessions including a component of modern pedagogical interventions (Think-Pair-Share and SNAPPS), or sessions including a control period focusing on reviewing a condensed summary of relevant information. Pre- and post-intervention measures were recorded for subjective self-ratings of confidence and scores on standardized clinically relevant extended matching questions (EMQs). Results: There was no difference in subjective confidence improvement between groups; however, the group receiving the modern pedagogical intervention demonstrated significantly greater objective performance on knowledge-based EMQs. Conclusions: A brief modern pedagogical intervention using interactive teaching methods shows promise for improving knowledge of restrictive care and the Mental Health and Guardianship Acts. In the control group, similarly increased confidence in knowledge did not equate to increased competence on a knowledge assessment. Refurbishing educational interventions presents opportunities for improving clinical outcomes and engaging junior doctors in psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explores rates of birth-related symptoms of trauma in a population of parents experiencing severe perinatal mental illness. Method: Birthing-parents admitted to a perinatal inpatient unit completed birth trauma measures on admission which were descriptively analyzed. Results: The population had higher rates of birth-related potentially traumatic events and trauma-related symptoms than the general population. Conclusions: The findings highlight that assessing for and responding to experiences of birth trauma is highly relevant to an inpatient perinatal population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Naloxone is an effective medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Distributing naloxone directly to those at risk, therefore, reduces the risk of opioid-related deaths. New legislation in Australia means a prescription is no longer required to access naloxone. Whilst acknowledging the benefits of increased access, we aim to evaluate the impact psychiatrists can have on naloxone provision due to their unique position as doctors often working with those who may be at risk. Methods: Data was recorded on those accessing naloxone from a co-located addiction and mental health service. Descriptive statistics were generated to establish the cohort characteristics, prior knowledge of naloxone and outcome of previously supplied naloxone. Results: Naloxone was dispensed 488 times from 2021 to 2023. 267 people had previously been prescribed naloxone from these sites where 137 (51.3%) were reportedly used in an opioid reversal. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of community access to naloxone in reducing opioid-related harm. Whilst removing the need for a prescription makes naloxone more accessible, it remains vital that doctors remain involved in this process to broaden the reach of supply to those at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Prevailing degeneration theory and an increasing number of people in inpatient mental treatment aroused the famous German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin's (1856-1926) interest to investigate whether the mental illnesses typical for Europe were also characteristic for 'primitive peoples'. He thus dedicated a period spent in the Dutch East Indies (Java) in 1904 to transcultural psychiatric research. This paper endeavours to compile Kraepelin's key findings, aiming to make readers aware of what kind of transcultural research Kraepelin did and what conclusions he came up with. At the same time it provides some background for the question of whether Kraepelin can really be referred to as the founder of transcultural psychiatry.Conclusion: Kraepelin assumed that illnesses with exterior causes depended on the type of stimulants widely used in a given culture. Since he found little evidence for progressive paralysis, he concluded that European brains were particularly prone to sequelae of syphilis. For endogenous psychoses he postulated differences in both symptoms and courses, depressions being rarer and milder, and ceasing sooner. By contrast, he found dementia praecox (mainly covered by the concept of schizophrenias later) to be the most prevalent mental illness in Java, explicitly different in form from that in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper aims to describe the prevalence, assessment and management of affective disorders as well as functional (non-epileptic) seizures in people with epilepsy.Method: This paper comprises a selective review of the literature of the common affective manifestations of epilepsy.Results: Affective disorders are the most common psychiatric comorbidity seen in people with epilepsy and assessment and management parallels that of the general population. Additionally, people with epilepsy may experience higher rates of mood instability, irritability and euphoria, classified together as a group, interictal dysphoric disorder and resembling an unstable bipolar Type II disorder. Functional seizures present unique challenges in terms of identification of the disorder and a lack of specific management.Conclusions: Given their high prevalence, it is important to be able to recognise affective disorders in people with epilepsy. Management principles parallel those in the general population with specific caution exercised regarding the potential interactions between antidepressant medications and antiepileptic drugs. Functional seizures are more complex and require a coordinated approach involving neurologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners, nursing and allied health. There is very limited evidence to guide psychological and behavioural interventions for neurotic disorders in epilepsy and much more research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This paper reports a pilot study exploring the benefits of offering sensory modulation within a mental health emergency setting for consumers experiencing distress during a psychiatric presentation.Methods: Seventy-four consumers with a mental health presentation reported on their sensory modulation use experiences during their stay in a South Australian tertiary teaching hospital emergency department. An evaluation form was used to document use of items, self-reported distress pre and post sensory modulation use, and other consumer experiences.Results: Consumers used between one and six sensory items for a median duration of 45 min. There was a statistically significant reduction ( t(73) = 15.83, p < .001) in self-reported distress post sensory modulation use, and consumers also reported that use was helpful, distracting, calming and assisted in managing negative emotions and thoughts.Conclusions: The results demonstrate the potential value of sensory-based interventions in reducing behavioural and emotional dysregulation in an emergency setting whilst also promoting consumer self-management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Mark Sheldon Remote Mental Health Team provides psychiatric services to 29 communities in very remote Central Australia. This study evaluated Mark Sheldon Remote Mental Health Team patient demographics, diagnoses and clinical management. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review was performed for January 2020. Variables included age, sex, Indigenous status, diagnosis, legal status, medication class and route of administration. Results: A total of 180 patients were identified (85.6% Indigenous, 53.3% male). Schizophrenia and delusional disorders were most common (41.1%). A small proportion of patients (2.8%) were involuntary. Psychotropic medication was commonly prescribed (77.4%) with a low threshold for anti-psychotic depot use (51.5%). Oral medication rates varied according to class. Conclusions: This study provided insights into the demographic and clinical profile of a unique population. The findings will help to optimise patient management in very remote Central Australia and serve as a foundation for similar evaluations and comparisons with other remote psychiatric services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to describe the fundamental components of a system to ensure consumer participation in mental health service evaluation and quality improvement. Conclusions: The seven fundamental components identified provide the basis for a system to deliver national indicators for consumer participation in quality improvement under the National Health Performance domain of 'responsiveness to consumers'. The MH-CoPES Framework satisfies these criteria and may be drawn upon as the basis for developing local systems for consumer participation in quality improvement within mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper aims to offer an overview of the mental health needs of Indigenous men and women in the criminal justice system and how Indigenous cultural perspectives on mental health might influence forensic mental health service provision. Conclusion: There is a need for both mental health and criminal justice agencies to collaborate more closely in developing new models of service provision that incorporate Indigenous perspectives on social and emotional wellbeing, recognize culturally specific mental health risk and protective factors in relation to prevention, early intervention and treatment, and take advantage of the opportunities for treatment that arise in the context of criminal justice system intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Historically, people living with mental illness have had limited chance to participate in mental health services other than as patients. Following on from a recent review focusing on consumer participation in mental health services, this paper looks at consumer participation in housing. Housing is a critical element in recovery from mental illness. Without suitable housing, people have little chance of maintaining other resources in their lives, such as supportive social relationships and meaningful activities. Conclusions: Consumer participation is not a common topic in the recent literature, despite the significant public policy push to promote it. The importance of appropriate housing to the recovery of people living with mental illness cannot be underestimated. Even well-meaning and well-resourced housing initiatives can fall short of meeting consumers' recovery goals when they do not incorporate the expressed needs of consumers. These expressed needs include keeping units small in size and employing drop-in support models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this paper is to review the clinical, demographic and psychosocial characteristics of consecutive admissions to a specialist inpatient parent-infant psychiatric service during a 2-year period. Methods: Data from consecutive admissions between January 2006 and December 2007 were evaluated in terms of primary and secondary diagnosis, demographics and psychosocial risk, psychiatric history, referral source, inpatient care and child protection involvement. Results: The majority of admissions (n = 149) recorded during the audit period were for a major depressive disorder (n = 69; 46%), schizophrenia (n = 29; 19%) or postnatal psychosis (n = 19; 13%); the most common comorbidities were a physical health problem (35%), substance abuse (24%) or borderline personality disorder (15%). The average length-of-stay was 23.8 ± 15.5 days; the average baby's age at admission was 15.1 ± 11.6 weeks. There were no statistically significant differences between women with a history of a mood disorder and those with no such history, in any of the demographic or psychosocial variables evaluated. Conclusion: This paper provides a unique appraisal of those individuals actively seeking psychiatric assessment and treatment through a specialist perinatal psychiatric service. Such information is useful in promoting better understanding of this population and the complex treatment and management needs of this patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There has been a recent dissemination of the term 'excellence' in psychiatric services without a full appreciation of the origins of its contemporary usage. In recent years, we have also been witness to an increasing emphasis on the language and notions of goals and outcomes in clinical practice, particularly in the public sector. This paper examines the origin and prevalence of the term excellence in both commercial and clinical services and the corresponding preoccupation with strategies and outcomes. Conclusions: It is argued that the contemporary talk of 'excellence' has been directly imported from the commercial sector. A closer examination of the ascendency of the use of this term has not been borne out by the results of the companies purported to be 'excellent'. In a similar vein, the political and corporate talk of strategies and outcomes has been transferred onto the clinical field. Such a movement has occurred primarily through political and financial motivations. A model of outcome-driven treatment is examined as an end result of such a preoccupation with outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe a comprehensive metabolic monitoring strategy within an Australian public mental health service. Methods: Patient physical health was identified as a high priority within the mental health service. A survey of staff attitudes informed the development of metabolic monitoring guidelines and provision of education for clinicians and patients. An audit was subsequently performed to ascertain rates and results of metabolic monitoring, and focus groups helped to understand patient perspectives. Results: Despite significant barriers to the implementation of routine metabolic monitoring from both staff and patient perspectives, our programme delivered on around 60% coverage of routine monitoring of blood glucose and lipids and 54% on weight measurement. Compliance with measurement of waist circumference was much less (7%). Conclusions: To ensure adherence to metabolic monitoring programmes within mental health services, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is required with ongoing education of both staff and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]