Activities and initiatives database

“The feedback we get is positive and there is definitely a need out there. We are seeing considerable success.” – Brief intervention co-ordinator Andi Kirk, Ashburton.

The Rural Canterbury Primary Health Organisation’s (PHO) primary mental health initiative is meeting the needs of people with a wide spectrum of mental health concerns ranging from mild to severe and for young people or adults.

A brief intervention coordination (BIC) service is one aspect of the initiative. GPs refer clients to a BIC who offers five free sessions of therapy to adult clients with mild to moderate mental health concerns. Clients are then referred to community agencies or assisted to access secondary care if necessary. A youth BIC service has also been introduced.

Another aspect of the initiative is a GP liaison role. GPs are offered case management support for clients with moderate to severe depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. This includes those who are in transition to or from a secondary care environment.

GPs can also claim for extra time spent with patients or can consult a clinical psychologist, Paul Wynands who manages the primary mental health project.

Much emphasis has been placed on building relationships with GPs and community groups which has contributed to the success of the service. Families are also involved in decision-making especially for young people with mental health issues.

The service, one of the first primary mental health initiatives to receive funding from the Ministry of Health, won the Canterbury DHB Quality and Innovation Award in 2007.

The Rural Canterbury PHO, encompassing 43 GP practices, covers a huge geographical area including Ashburton, Banks Peninsula and Waimakariri. The GP liaison team member also works in Selwyn, Hurunui and Kaikoura districts.

Information shows the BIC initiative has been successful in reducing the level of distress experienced by people with mental health concerns in the primary health environment.

Confidence in the service amongst GPs and other key primary health workers is growing and consequently there has been an increase in referrals. The strength of the relationships formed so far has also grown.

Ashburton brief intervention coordinator Andi Kirk predicts a great future for the BIC service.

“The feedback we get is positive and there is definitely a need out there. We are seeing considerable success in terms of people we are working with.”

“I think mental health care in the primary sector has a really good future,” she says.