S038 A: Turning Research into Practice; S038 B: Transforming Mental Health
Tracks
Track 1
| Thursday, August 27, 2015 |
| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Royal Theatre |
Speaker
Professor Maree Teesson
UNSW
Featured Symposium: Translational Research
Abstract
Suicide prevention, early interventions and substance abuse have been the focus of research at two of our new National Centres of Research Excellence. The new Centres were funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and are based at the University of New South Wales.
Professor Helen Christensen is leading the work at the University of New South Wales to determine the best way to deliver interventions to those at risk of suicide. Her centre aims to identify strategies which encourage people to seek help, and foster better evidence about the appropriate mix of services and support. Dr Karolina Krysinska will give an update of progress to date. The Centre headed by Professor Maree Teesson addresses prevention and treatment for people with both mental and substance abuse disorders. Again, this is a significant area of need as the top ten causes of burden of disease in young Australians are dominated by mental and substance abuse disorders. In this symposium we will outline the work of the centres to date (2 years into their programs) and plans for the future. The symposium addresses how these new Centres of Research Excellence will work to achieve real health gains for Australians. The centres support the transfer of research outcomes into improved knowledge, better health systems and improved treatment. The symposium will address the importance of such research translation and the barriers and challenges.
Professor Helen Christensen is leading the work at the University of New South Wales to determine the best way to deliver interventions to those at risk of suicide. Her centre aims to identify strategies which encourage people to seek help, and foster better evidence about the appropriate mix of services and support. Dr Karolina Krysinska will give an update of progress to date. The Centre headed by Professor Maree Teesson addresses prevention and treatment for people with both mental and substance abuse disorders. Again, this is a significant area of need as the top ten causes of burden of disease in young Australians are dominated by mental and substance abuse disorders. In this symposium we will outline the work of the centres to date (2 years into their programs) and plans for the future. The symposium addresses how these new Centres of Research Excellence will work to achieve real health gains for Australians. The centres support the transfer of research outcomes into improved knowledge, better health systems and improved treatment. The symposium will address the importance of such research translation and the barriers and challenges.
Biography
Professor Amanda Baker is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow at the Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, and Co-Director of the CRE in Mental Health and Substance Use. She is a senior clinical psychologist who has practised in the United Kingdom and Australia. Her expertise lies in the development of evidence-based treatment for substance use and mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Prof Baker has published extensively in peer reviewed journals, and published numerous treatment manuals and clinician guidelines based on her innovative clinical interventions. She has been the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, and is currently the Immediate Past President of the Australasian Professional Society for Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD), the peak body for professional working in the AOD field.
Dr Karolina Krysinska is a Project Coordinator and Senior Research Officer at the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention at the Black Dog Institute, UNSW. Karolina has worked as a researcher, lecturer and psychologist in the field of suicide prevention over the last 20 years and Australia and in Europe. Her research interests include risk and protective factors in suicide, suicide prevention, thanatology, psychology of trauma, and psychology of religion. She is an author and co-author of book chapters and peer-reviewed articles on various aspects of suicide, trauma, and bereavement.
David Butt
CEO
National Mental Health Commission
Transforming mental health - the National Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services
Abstract
Australia has a once in a generation opportunity to improve the lives of millions of Australians who are impacted by mental ill-health – to enable them to live contributing lives.
This means taking action now to invest in the right things – not keep on doing what was done in the past.
It is time to start the transformation – to work with people where they are - in schools, workplaces, and communities to optimise mental health, avoid mental illness and reduce the psychosocial burden arising from illness.
The focus of the National Mental Health Commission’s review was to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of programmes and services in supporting people to lead productive lives and build thriving communities.
We need to:
- Redesign the system to focus on the needs of individuals, their families and other supporters
- Redirect federal monies as incentives to purchase value for money, measurable results and outcomes
- Rebalance expenditure towards prevention, early intervention, and recovery
- Repackage and bundle funds for those with severe and persistent mental health problems
- Reform our approach to supporting people and families to lead fulfilling, contributing lives.
This paper will outline the work of the Review, its findings, and recommendations.
This means taking action now to invest in the right things – not keep on doing what was done in the past.
It is time to start the transformation – to work with people where they are - in schools, workplaces, and communities to optimise mental health, avoid mental illness and reduce the psychosocial burden arising from illness.
The focus of the National Mental Health Commission’s review was to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of programmes and services in supporting people to lead productive lives and build thriving communities.
We need to:
- Redesign the system to focus on the needs of individuals, their families and other supporters
- Redirect federal monies as incentives to purchase value for money, measurable results and outcomes
- Rebalance expenditure towards prevention, early intervention, and recovery
- Repackage and bundle funds for those with severe and persistent mental health problems
- Reform our approach to supporting people and families to lead fulfilling, contributing lives.
This paper will outline the work of the Review, its findings, and recommendations.
Biography
David Butt was appointed CEO of the National Mental Health Commission in January 2014. David has 30 years’ experience in the health system at senior levels. David was Deputy Secretary, Department of Health, from August 2011, head of Rural and Regional Health Australia, and Australia’s first Chief Allied Health Officer.
Katrina Davis
Senior Advisor
Mental Health Commission of NSW
May the force be with you: A guide to building a mental health peer workforce
Abstract
Living Well: A Strategic Plan for Mental Health in NSW 2014-2024 details a number of actions regarding strengthening the peer workforce.
To assist organisations to explore opportunities in this area, the Mental Health Commission of NSW held a Peer Work Forum in March 2015. The Forum was targeted at decision-makers, recruiters and managers of organisations wishing to establish or grow their peer workforce. Consumer leaders and leaders of community managed organisations with strong peer workforces were recruited to provide guidance and leadership on the day. Attendees had the opportunity to hear about NSW government and non-government experiences in supporting peer workers and explore new opportunities. A range of resources have been made available following the event.
These resources will include a peer work guide that the Commission engaged Craze Lateral Solutions to develop. The guide builds on the Peer Workforce Study undertaken by Health Workforce Australia and other recent reports, studies and guides. The guide covers areas including roles and functions, principles for employment, training and support, supervision, recruitment processes and workforce development. The guide was informed by extensive consultation with stakeholders including consumers and current and future employers of peer workers.
To assist organisations to explore opportunities in this area, the Mental Health Commission of NSW held a Peer Work Forum in March 2015. The Forum was targeted at decision-makers, recruiters and managers of organisations wishing to establish or grow their peer workforce. Consumer leaders and leaders of community managed organisations with strong peer workforces were recruited to provide guidance and leadership on the day. Attendees had the opportunity to hear about NSW government and non-government experiences in supporting peer workers and explore new opportunities. A range of resources have been made available following the event.
These resources will include a peer work guide that the Commission engaged Craze Lateral Solutions to develop. The guide builds on the Peer Workforce Study undertaken by Health Workforce Australia and other recent reports, studies and guides. The guide covers areas including roles and functions, principles for employment, training and support, supervision, recruitment processes and workforce development. The guide was informed by extensive consultation with stakeholders including consumers and current and future employers of peer workers.
Biography
Katrina is a policy advisor for the NSW Mental Health Commission. Prior to this Katrina was responsible for the delivery of mental health promotion projects including Mental Heath Month NSW through the Mental Health Association of NSW. Good work, family, friends and chocolate cake support Katrina’s mental health and wellbeing.
Sage is a Senior Advisor at the Mental Health Commission of NSW. Sage has worked in the mental health non-government and government sector for over 12 years in a wide range of roles from working alongside consumers to management and policy roles. Sage has a passion for influencing change in the mental health sector.
