Citation

King K, Bassilios B, Reifels L, Fletcher J, Ftanou M, Blashki G, Burgess P, Pirkis J. J. Ment. Health 2013; 22(5): 439-448.

Affiliation

Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics, Melbourne School of Population Health , University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Victoria , Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa Healthcare)

DOI

10.3109/09638237.2013.815334

PMID

24020853

Abstract

Background From July 2008 to June 2011, 19 Australian Divisions of General Practice piloted specialist services for consumers at risk of suicide within a broader primary mental health program. General practitioners and other mental health staff referred suicidal consumers to specially trained mental health professionals for intensive, time-limited care. Aims To report the findings from an evaluation of the pilot. Method Data sources included a purpose-designed minimum data set, which collated consumer-level and session-level data, and a series of structured telephone interviews conducted with Divisional project officers, referrers and mental health professionals. Results There were 2312 referrals to the pilot; 2070 individuals took up the service. The pilot reached people who may not otherwise have had access to psychological care; over half of those who received services were on low incomes and about one-third had not previously accessed mental health care. Project officers, referrers and mental health professionals were all positive about the pilot and commented that it was meeting a previously unmet need. Consumers appeared to benefit, showing significant improvements in outcomes. Conclusion This evaluation provides supportive evidence for the effectiveness of a suicide prevention intervention delivered by specially trained mental health professionals in a primary mental health environment.

Language: en