Primary Health Organisations Service development toolkit for mental health services in primary health care

Primary Health Organisations
Service development toolkit for mental health services in primary health care

Citation: Ministry of Health. 2004. Primary Health Organisations: Service development toolkit for mental health services in primary health care.Wellington: Ministry of Health.

Date of Publication: May 2004

ISBN 0-478-28242-7 (Book)
ISBN 0-478-28243-5 (Website)

HP 3820

Approximately 20 percent of the general population experiences a mental disorder at any time, but only one person in three receives appropriate treatment.

The establishment of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) provides an opportunity for health providers to ensure mental health services are an integral part of primary health services. PHOs can develop services that address the mental health needs of their enrolled populations who present with mild to moderately severe mental health problems or disorders, as well as form strong relationships with existing mental health services for more effective care for people with moderate to severe disorders.

The Primary Health Organisations: Service development toolkit for mental health services in primary health care has been developed for PHO managers to assist them in building PHOs’ capacity and capability to respond to the mental health needs that can be managed effectively in primary care. This resource sets out how a PHO may begin to develop a plan of action for addressing the mental health issues of its enrolled population.

It is recognised that PHOs are at various stages of development, all PHOs are configured differently, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ plan or solution.

This document pulls together the evidence and outlines useful links with specialist mental health and other community and health services.

This document does not provide treatment or clinical guideline for clinicians. However, it does present useful information about possible service models and references to assist clinicians and PHO managers.

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