Anne Magarey, PHC RIS
 Innovative Models of Mental Health Care in Australia and Overseas
The Mental Health Council of Australia carried out the work described in the report to develop a National Framework for Community-supported Recovery Services. To undertake the work, the authors looked at 21 Community Supported Recovery Services in Australia, and closely examined as case studies two services in Australia and one in Italy. When examining the three case studies, the Council used a set of principles based on the National Mental Health Standards, the proposed priorities for the future mental health system from the report 'Time for Services' and the objective of practical solutions for the major issues which face consumers and carers.
From the work carried out for this report, the Council has developed a National Framework for Community-supported Recovery Services. Models which are effective in promoting and encouraging recovery have some elements in common. These include:
- The vital role of the non-government sector in partnerships with other organisations and groups
- Consumer, family/carer involvement
- A holistic approach.
These elements, plus others discussed in the report, need to be included in any Australian model for mental health community-supported recovery system.
The Council suggests that, for the framework to be adopted across Australia, significant policy changes would be required. Problems which would need to be addressed are the availability of services for all Australians, including those in rural and remote communities; the focus on hospital based care in private health insurance; and the issues arising from different funding streams.
Reference:
Mental Health Council of Australia. 2006. Smart Services: Innovative Models of Mental Health Care in Australia and Overseas. Available for downloading from: www.mhca.org.au/index.html
|
print version
email this page
