Formally known as the Improving the Physical Health of People with a Severe Mental Illness project.

Overview
Objectives
Project detail
Achievements
For further information

Overview

In June 2008, GPQ received funding from Queensland Health to undertake a comprehensive investigation (Consultation Project) into addressing the physical health needs of people with a severe mental illness (SMI).  The Consultation Project included a detailed literature review and state wide consultation process, with the aim to provide recommendations for the next phase of activate: mind & body.

The state wide consultation included 205 participants comprising of key primary mental health care stakeholders within Queensland such as:

• general practitioners (GPs) and other primary health care providers;
• government and non-government mental health service providers, including indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) agencies; and
  
• consumers and carers. 

As a result of the Consultation Project, a final report was developed outlining several recommendations which included the importance of addressing oral health along with the physical health needs of people with SMI. The recommendations were supported by Queensland Health and funding has been committed to the project.

The current (third) phase of the project is the State Implementation Phase and is co led by GPQ and Metro South Health District.

Objectives

The core objective of the project is to improve the physical and oral health of people with SMI by building the capacity of:

• divisions of general practice;
• general practitioners (GPs);
• specialist mental health;
• non-government and community agencies; and
  
• consumers and carers
  

to more effectively identify, treat and manage the physical and oral health needs of people living with SMI.

Project detail

activate: mind and body is governed by a state level steering committee with members from GPQ, public mental health services, non government organisations, oral health, universities, consumers, carers and general practitioners.  Three working groups, Primary Health Care, Public Mental Health and Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention, have been established to support the steering committee in actioning the project implementation plan. 

The working groups are currently undertaking activities that will produce the key deliverables for the State Development Phase.  These deliverables include:

• implementation of the evaluation framework;
• resource implementation for service providers, consumers and carers which include a Physical Health Mental Health Handbook, Academic Detailing Resource, Physical Health Guidelines for Mental Health Services and a Consumer Health Information Card;
• roll out of education and training modules developed for service providers, consumers and carers; and
  
• implementation of a state-wide health promotion plan including health promotion resources.

Achievements

The final report derived from the discussion paper and consultation was submitted for review in January 2009.  The recommendations were accepted and the project quickly moved into the development phase in 2009/10.  A full suite of resources and education packages was developed in consultation with service providers, consumers and carers including:

• interactive website www.activatemindandbody.com.au ;
• handbook;
• academic detailing resource;
• physical health guidelines for mental health services;
• onsumer health information cards;
• mental health skills training;
• academic detailing resource implementation; and
  
• peer support worker training.

activate: mind & body is now moving into the third phase, which includes the implementation of strategies and resources to improve the physical health of people with SMI.

For further information

Visit the website www.activatemindandbody.com.au

Please contact: Jenny Shaw, Program Coordinator – activate: mind & body at jshaw@gpqld.com.au