Abstract
Specialist mental health care is thinly spread in many rural areas, and is often accessed after long delays or substantial travel. AIMhi Rural has been working with mental health teams and GPs to increase skills and confidence in addressing the needs of people with complex problems, and this does result in at least short-term gains in demonstrated skills.
However, much is currently being demanded of GPs, and mental health issues are in competition with many other worthy targets for assessment and intervention. There is a continued need for very brief opportunistic interventions that are compatible with the time demands of general practice, and the methods advocated in AIMhi training are described.
Closer liaison between practitioners and mental health services – fostered by several current programs-will help to make the most of available services. However, even with optimal interface between services and substantially increased access to private treatment by allied health practitioners, access problems will remain. Remote delivery of treatment and practitioner support may provide a partial solution, especially if it is undertaken in collaboration with GPs.
Results of AIMhi-associated projects that attempt to do this are described, together with the challenges encountered. Possible ways forward are outlined.