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PATIENTS will be offered opportunities to complete a mental health assessment while they wait to see a doctor.
The Murray Primary Health Network – which encompasses central Victoria – is among a number of primary health networks trialling a tool developed by the Black Dog Institute.
Tablet computers will be made available in 10 general practices across the Murray region, which will enable patients to complete a short, voluntary survey.
The survey will provide an instant assessment of their mental health, which will be emailed directly to the patient and their GP.
Self-help resources will be included in the patient’s assessment results, while the GP’s package will include treatment suggestions.
Murray PHN chief executive officer Matt Jones was hopeful the tool would encourage people to seek help for mental health issues.
“We know that most Australians with anxiety and depression do not seek treatment,” he said.
“Starting the conversation is the first step in helping people and GPs are often best placed to do that.
“This is a focus on early intervention that identifies issues and deals with mental ill health before it can escalate.”
Murray PHN is seeking expressions of interest from general practices keen to participate in the program.
Strathfieldsaye general practitioner and Murray PHN medical advisor Dr Ewa Piejko said the tool might help GPs recognize the true problems affecting their patients.
“It might be they are presenting with physical illnesses that are really mental health problems and we might spend a lot of time and energy trying to treat physical symptoms where the basis is really a mental health issue,” Dr Piejko said.
The Black Dog StepCare in General Practice trial started in March 2016. Murray PHN is involved in the second phase of the trial.
Black Dog Institute director and chief scientist Professor Helen Christensen said the program was the first of its type in Australia.
“We know of no others in mental health worldwide,” she said.
“Not only is the assessment quick to do, it helps patients who have been uncomfortable to speak up, or who were unaware they had mental health symptoms, to access the treatment and support to help them lead more fulfilling lives.”
An estimated 45 per cent of people in Australia will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
Rates are higher in rural areas, Professor Christensen said.
If you need support, contact Lifeline on 131 114 or visit beyondblue.org.au.