The COVID-19 pandemic is driving higher rates of mental ill-health than ever seen before. At a time when resources are stretched by the additional workload of COVID itself, the corresponding increase in mental health presentations is especially challenging.
In response, the Imagined Futures partnership is working together to improve access to treatment and support for people experiencing depression and anxiety across the local government areas of Cockburn, Fremantle, and Melville.
Recognising the critical role that GPs play in treating mental ill-health, part of the group’s focus has been on how to best support practitioner’s at this difficult time. After consulting with local GPs and the WA Primary Health Alliance, Imagined Futures has curated resources designed especially for GPs and their patient’s.
General Practice Resource Pack
Resource pack materials are designed to raise awareness about the importance of seeking help and to connect GPs and community members to local services. Resources include:
- Mental Health Referral Pathways Resource – easy to reference flowchart using age groups and mental health severity, and where to refer patients locally (also available for download at https://bit.ly/GPresource or search via imaginedfutures.org.au).
- Mental health support brochures – lists local crisis, online, telephone, local face-to-face, and navigation services that patients can access without referral. These services can be used while waiting for a psychology appointment.
- Waiting room posters – Public awareness campaign to reduce stigma and direct people to the online mental health support resource.
To download these resources, click on the headings in bold.
Mental Health Friendly GPs
When patients seek help for depression or other mental health concerns, often their first point of call is a General Practitioner (GP). Discussing mental health challenges can be difficult so it is important to refer patients to the right doctor they feel comfortable talking to. Mental health friendly GPs have skill and knowledge in mental health, and help support their patients on the road to recovery.
The Black Dog Institute ‘finding a mental health friendly doctor,’ is a helpful guide for patients to find the right GP. If your practice is looking at ways to become more mental health friendly, this useful guide provides some practical insight.
