Psychologists’ contribution vital to collaborative care

The Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) was established by the Federal Government to improve delivery of coordinated and collaborative mental health care, particularly in the context of the Better Access initiative. MHPN achieves this goal by establishing and supporting interdisciplinary practitioner networks of clinicians who meet regularly to share knowledge and improve referral pathways. It also provides online professional development which focuses on interdisciplinary, collaborative mental health care.

The Australian Psychological Society has played a key role in MHPN’s success, being one of four key member organisations, along with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, that assist in directing and endorsing MHPN’s activities. Participation in this relatively new initiative has been significant across all professions, but none have been more engaged than psychologists.

Psychologists contribute to 45,000 hours of collaborative care focussed learning

Psychologists have contributed significantly to the burgeoning mental health care collaboration, wholeheartedly embracing the opportunities MHPN offers to network with other professionals, enhance their practice and professional development, as well as share their knowledge and perspectives.

In 2012-13, psychologists accounted for 3,600 of MHPN’s 11,000 network members. Psychologists also represented approximately half of the 2,000 clinicians who attended the 10 live professional development webinar broadcasts of an interdisciplinary panel discussion of a case study in 2012-13. In addition, almost all webinar panels included a psychologist – thereby introducing a psychologist perspective to each discussion. Collectively these programs saw collaborative mental health care discussed, debated and promoted for upwards of 45,000 hours throughout the year.

Psychologists have further demonstrated their commitment to developing collaborative mental health care practices through their willingness to take lead roles within MHPN networks by acting as the network coordinator. Over half of all coordinator responsibilities are undertaken by psychologists – considering this is all undertaken in a voluntary capacity, MHPN would like to acknowledge their important contribution to the initiative’s success.