A PROGRAM aimed at boosting mental health is being rolled out in Bendigo.

White Hills Medical Practice introduced the StepCare in General Practice initiative on Monday. 

Patients will be offered instant mental health assessments while they wait at their GP clinic, by completing a survey on a tablet computer.

Spring Gully Primary Health will introduce the program later this week.

StepCare in General Practice will be offered at a total of 10 GP practices across the Murray PHN region, including the Bendigo Community Health Service at Eaglehawk, Elmore Primary Health and Echuca Moama Family Medical Practice.

Murray PHN has partnered with the Black Dog Institute to offer the program. 

“Starting the conversation is the first step in helping people, and GPs are often best-placed to do that,” Murray PHN chief executive officer Matt Jones said.

“This is a focus on early intervention that identifies issues and deals with mental ill health before it can escalate.”

White Hills Medical Practice principal Dr Fady Henry was ‘very excited’ to be involved in the initiative.

“Patients sometimes don’t realise the mental health effect on their physical health, and this program will help us identify some of those who need mental health attention,” he said.

“We are also happy with the information that the Black Dog Institute will offer those who need quick intervention.”

In addition to the assessment results, the app emails the patient a range of targeted self-help resources developed by the Black Dog Institute.

Results are also emailed to the patient’s doctor, along with treatment suggestions.