Kooth Digital Health’s Post

The month of May is the Mental Health Awareness month, and A Work of Faith Ministries Inc (AWOFINC) provides and promotes a mental health program for individuals needing these services. Our organization seeks to assist people who are struggling to find mental health services. Mental healthcare should be accessible, meaning it should not be a barrier to care. Numerous studies have shown that the provider networks for mental health specialists are less robust than other medical specialties. It can leave people with mental health conditions with no other option than to go without care. Some people will pay overwhelming out-of-pocket costs or take on medical debt, while others will forgo medically necessary mental health treatment. The Dept. of Public Health. at AWOFINC wants to ensure that vulnerable and disadvantaged populations receive the mental healthcare services they need without experiencing barriers in affordability, availability, and accessibility. Use the link below or scan the QR code to complete the survey. https://lnkd.in/gWR7mwgk

Positive signs but Govt inquiry response lacks detail and funding commitments. Having fully digested the NSW Govt response to the findings of the recent mental health Inquiry (released yesterday) BEING is cautiously optimistic and thankful that so many of the issues on which we have been advocating consistently over many years may finally be addressed. However, the government has had three months since the report was published to start formulating a plan of action and this response lacks the detail and funding commitments to bring about the prompt system improvements that NSW desperately needs. The path forward is clear regarding policing response to mental health crisis and leveraging the skills of peer workers in mental healthcare settings. But we need action. Further delay will only result in more unnecessary trauma and potentially lives lost. Click for: The final Inquiry Report https://bit.ly/3RdDjZw NSW Government Response https://bit.ly/4cRHJNJ BEING's response https://bit.ly/4e26pEm

In our Pre-Budget Submission, Mental Health Australia is calling on the Australian Government to develop and fund implementation of a multi-year mental health reform roadmap, which is co-designed with the sector and people with lived experience and their family, carers and supporters; and is backed by outcomes data and strong accountability mechanisms. This roadmap should articulate a shared vision and pathway to progress mental health reform, including aligning with human rights commitments. Read our Pre-Budget Submission here: https://lnkd.in/gxjBEGyp

*How can we address the mental health crisis through effective policy?* Senator Britt recently appeared on CNN, bringing much-needed attention to the nation’s mental health crisis and advocating for legislative action. As mental health challenges rise across the country, Britt emphasized the urgency of improving access to mental health services and strengthening policy support for affected individuals and families. The conversation focused on addressing gaps in current mental health care systems and the importance of bipartisan efforts to create sustainable solutions. *Learn more about these legislative developments and what they mean for mental health reform.* [Read the full article here](https://lnkd.in/eedMvBEy)

🌎 🧠 On #WorldMentalHealthDay, European Doctors join 32 other civil society organisations by signing a joint statement calling for substantive actions to shape a Europe where everyone’s mental health thrives.   🇪🇺 Re-elected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasised the urgent need to ‘step up our work on preventive health, in particular for mental health’. 💻 She has placed a special focus on the mental health of children and young people, especially online, and promised actions to tackle what she calls ‘the greatest challenge in this decade’. These promises build on commitments made over recent years by several EU institutions.    🤝 The joint statement welcomes the renewed ambition and calls on all stakeholders to work together to translate this ambition into concrete actions.   👇 Among its many calls, the joint statement asks the Commission, as part of its strategy on mental health, to propose a legislative initiative on the management of psychosocial risks and well-being at work, with special attention to the health and care workforces. https://lnkd.in/eBZpcTij

Looking at this year’s Annual Report, it is clear to see the vital and growing impact of the After Hours Mental Health Nursing Service, which supports people during hours when other mental health services are limited. Rosalyn Sandwell Executive Lead – Wellbeing and Prevention at healthAbility, explains more about the service’s key outcomes so far, including: 🔹 Providing over 6,800 episodes of care 🔹 Diverting an estimated 40% of semi-urgent and non-urgent mental health emergency department presentations in the region 🔹 Saving the healthcare system an estimated $3.24 for every $1 invested To find out more, please read our Annual Report: https://bit.ly/40SJ6JC

Ontario’s kids need timely, high-quality mental health care more than ever, but funding gaps have led to long waitlists and a staffing crisis. The child & youth mental health sector is asking for a $140 million funding commitment in Ontario’s 2024 budget. bit.ly/ONBudget2024

In our new paper, my colleagues and I discuss the Systems of Care framework and “road map” for clinicians to develop the skills needed to achieve successful partnerships to address the youth mental health crisis in the US. https://lnkd.in/gx9bSFyd

People experiencing mental health concerns may present with a range of interrelated factors that can make it challenging for general practitioners and clinicians to determine the most appropriate type and level of care. To help health care professionals deliver consistent support, an innovative system called the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) was developed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. To tailor the training to the needs of our catchment, our team consulted with general practitioners and local mental health services to identify supports and barriers to implementing the IAR-DST in different settings. By promoting a consistent and holistic approach to referral decision making, we’re not only supporting local clinicians in their role, but also improving the journey for people experiencing mental health challenges. Read more in the SEMPHN Annual Report (2022-23): https://bit.ly/3HTEMiy

This is going to be an excellent webinar, I promise. Please register, share, come along and get informed #MentalHealthLaw #HumanRights