New community mental health services: how Australia is delivering in a multicultural environment Presentation to Transcultural Mental Health in a Changing World: Building a Global Response – Minneapolis – 29 October 2007 Evan Lewis, Principal Adviser, Mental Health & Autism

Mental Heath Branch Multicultural Australia Population over 21 million 25 per cent born overseas 2.5 per cent Indigenous Australians Over 240 languages spoken

Mental Heath Branch Indigenous Australians Social and emotional wellbeing A sense of place Suicide rate 3-5 times higher than non- Indigenous

Mental Heath Branch Mental Health in Australia Economic and social costs: One in five adults, or more than 3 million Australians are affected by mental illness in any one year. This costs the Australian economy approximately $20 billion annually.

Mental Heath Branch National Action Plan on Mental Health The National Action Plan will: Focus on promotion, prevention and early intervention Improve access to services Build workforce capacity Better coordinate care and enable greater collaboration Provide a seamless and connected care system

Mental Heath Branch New programs Respite Care - $224.7 million over 5 years Mental Health Community Based Programs - $45.2 million over 5 years Personal Helpers and Mentors - $284.8 million over 5 years

Mental Heath Branch Personal Helpers and Mentors $284.8 million over five years Approximately 900 Personal Helpers and Mentors to help people with severe mental illness living in the community 380 personal helpers and mentors – currently delivering services Important to deliver a coordinated service

Mental Heath Branch Personal Helpers and Mentors Assist people 16 years and over who have a severe functional limitation resulting from a severe mental illness to better manage their daily activities and access a range of appropriate services Services provided through non- government organisations

Mental Heath Branch Personal Helpers and Mentors Takes a strengths-based, recovery approach to supporting people with severe mental illness. Emphasis on community support and social connection as an integral component of recovery. Eligibility screening tool

Mental Heath Branch What do Personal Helpers and Mentors do? Coordination and integration of care Referrals and links to appropriate services Individual Recovery Plans

Mental Heath Branch Program outcomes Increased access to appropriate support services at the right time Increased personal capacity and self-reliance Increased community participation

Mental Heath Branch Evaluation Program evaluation of the 28 Round 1 demonstration sites 15 per cent were born overseas 6.2 per cent Indigenous Australians Regular program reporting and data requirements

Mental Heath Branch Care Coordination Provides for a clinical provider and a community coordinator Personal Helpers and Mentors are only one example of community care coordinators Clinical providers – GP, mental health nurse, treating doctor etc These coordinators will manage referrals.

Mental Heath Branch Contact details