Mental Health Needs in a Metropolitan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service

Abstract

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have significantly higher mental health needs than other Australians; however, they have lower access to mental health services and professionals (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2014). The World Health Organization has emphasized the need for primary care now more than ever and The Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan has laid out priority areas to ensure a better mental health system for all Australians (Department of Health, Australian Government, 2017). The establishment of a psychiatry service within the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service was implemented to support primary care and to allow better access to mental health services.

Objectives: This session aims to (i) describe the social demographics and clinical profile of patients referred to the psychiatry service provided at three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service metropolitan clinics over an 18-month period of service and (ii) identify the proportion of all registered patients who required any mental health referral over the same 18-month period.

Methods: Review of notes retrospectively to determine age, gender and diagnosis of patients seen and those who did not attend or cancelled. Audit of all mental health referrals generated within the practice software.

Findings: The findings will be presented at the RANZCP 2019 Congress.

Conclusions: Primary care is managing patients with complex mental healthcare needs and benefits from specialist support. The current model servicing these clinics is for one-off review; however, due to significant unmet need, a more intensive service needs to be considered. A high rate of non-attendances is a barrier that needs to be explored further.