Better medication management for Aboriginal people with mental health disorders: a survey of providers

Kowanko, Inge; Crespigny, Charlotte de; Murray, Helen Burton; Groenkjaer, Mette; Emden, Carolyn

doi:10.1111/j.1440-1854.2004.00625.x

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The contrast between mainstream (or external) mental health services and the Centre of Excellence is very pronounced whereby the former is reported to have multiple access barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This finding is consistent with existing research that has identified a range of challenges for Indigenous peoples accessing mental health services [ 1 , 2 ], and in turn the lack of appropriate services contributes to worsening mental ill health [ 3 ]. The integration of a psychologist and social worker within the Centre of Excellence in ways that were responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people created mental health services that were delivered differently.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Additionally, experiences of institutional racism have presented, and continue to present, a challenge in terms of engaging with health services, particularly mental health services [1, 2]. Ironically, these very issues also render Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples vulnerable to mental ill health [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The continuing effects of colonisation, intergenerational trauma, and widespread social and economic disadvantage have contributed to the poorer health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Additionally, experiences of institutional racism have presented, and continue to present, a challenge in terms of engaging with health services, particularly mental health services [ 1 , 2 ]. Ironically, these very issues also render Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples vulnerable to mental ill health [ 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care service improved access to mental health care

Hepworth

Askew

Foley³

et al. 2015

Int J Equity Health

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IntroductionAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher levels of psychological distress and mental ill health than their non-Indigenous counterparts, but underuse mental health services. Interventions are required to address the structural and functional access barriers that cause this underuse. In 2012, the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care employed a psychologist and a social worker to integrate mental health care into its primary health care services. This research study examines the impact of this innovation.MethodsA mixed-method research design was used whereby a series of qualitative open-ended interviews were conducted with 7 psychology clients, 5 social work clients, the practice dietician, and the social worker and psychologist. General practitioners, practice nurses, Aboriginal Health Workers and receptionists participated in 4 focus groups. Key themes were identified, discussed, refined and agreed upon by the research team. Occasions of service by the psychologist and social worker were reviewed and quantitative data presented.ResultsClients and staff were overwhelmingly positive about the inclusion of a psychologist and a social worker as core members of a primary health care team. In one-year, the psychologist and social worker recorded 537 and 447 occasions of service respectively, and referrals to a psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health worker or counsellor increased from 17 % of mental health clients in 2010 to 51 % in 2012. Increased access by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to mental health care was related to three main themes: (1) Responsiveness to community needs; (2) Trusted relationships; and (3) Shared cultural background and understanding. The holistic nature and cultural safety of the primary health care service, its close proximity to where most people lived and the existing trusted relationships were identified as key factors in decreasing barriers to access.ConclusionsImproving social and emotional well-being is critical to addressing the health inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This study demonstrates the benefits for clients and health professionals of integrating culturally safe mental health services into primary health care.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care service improved access to mental health care

Hepworth

Askew

Foley³

et al. 2015

Int J Equity Health

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“…Problems with local Aboriginal people's access to mental health care had been consistently reported for over 5 years, including a lack of mental health staff in the Aboriginal Health Service, mainstream service inflexibility, and inadequate service coordination particularly around discharge planning 5 . ‐ 7 An increase in funds to the region over recent years from the SA and federal health departments (for RAISE Wellbeing and other mental health programs) has provided resources for a service partnership to help solve the problem. New positions in the region include a regional mental health program manager, principal mental health clinician, staff psychiatrist, hospital mental health liaison nurse, partnership development project officer, Aboriginal mental health worker, and the staffing of an “outback” community counselling service with a mental health brief.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustaining an Aboriginal mental health service partnership

Fuller

Martinez

Muyambi

et al. 2005

Medical Journal of Australia

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The Regional Aboriginal Integrated Social and Emotional (RAISE) Wellbeing program commenced in February 2003 as an Aboriginal mental health service partnership between one Aboriginal Health Service and three mainstream services: a community mental health team, a hospital mental health liaison, and an “outback” community counselling service. A case study method was used to describe the drivers (incentives for program development), linkage processes (structures and activities through which the partnership operated), and sustainability of the program. Program drivers were longstanding problems with Aboriginal peoples’ access to mental health care, policy direction favouring shared service responsibility, and a relatively small amount of new funding for mental health that allowed the program to commence. Linkage processes were the important personal relationships between key individuals. Developing the program as a part of routine practice within and across the partner organisations is now needed through formal agreements, common care‐management tools, and training. The program's sustainability will depend on this development occurring, as well as better collection and use of data to communicate the value of the program and support calls for adequate recurrent funds. The development of care‐management tools, training and data systems will require a longer period of start‐up funding as well as some external expertise.

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“…In other words, although Aboriginal people access mental health services at higher rates than non‐Aboriginal people, there is still likely to be a large number of them who need services but do not access them. Underutilization has largely been attributed to cultural inappropriateness of these services (Kowanko et al . 2004; Wenitong 2002; Westerman 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health services for Aboriginal men: Mismatches and solutions

Isaacs

Maybery

Gruis

2012

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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This paper describes the perceptions of Aboriginal stakeholders as well as mental health personnel on improving Aboriginal men's access to mental health services. From January 2009 to June 2010, 23 semi-structured interviews and three focus groups were conducted with 17 Aboriginal stakeholders and 29 mental health staff from a regional mental health service in Victoria. A qualitative description design was adopted and data were analysed thematically. Seven themes emerged from the data. Three themes focused on the mismatch between mainstream mental health service provision and the mental health needs of Aboriginal men. They include barriers to gaining entry into services, barriers to engagement with services, and staffing problems in the services. The remaining four themes related to possible solutions to improving men's access to services and included building men's confidence in services, developing relationships with the Aboriginal Community, enhancing flexibility of services, and strengthening the role of the Koori Mental Health Liaison Officer. The dual perspectives of Aboriginal stakeholders and service providers provide a more comprehensive picture of the ground realities concerning Aboriginal men's access to mental health services. The findings have implications for the provision of culturally sensitive mental health services for Aboriginal men.

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Better medication management for Aboriginal people with mental health disorders: a survey of providers

Cited by 21 publications

References 7 publications

How an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care service improved access to mental health care

How an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care service improved access to mental health care

Sustaining an Aboriginal mental health service partnership

Mental health services for Aboriginal men: Mismatches and solutions

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