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Position Statement


GPs are an important source of support and referral for those who experience mental health conditions.1 Often considered as the first point of contact for people concerned about their mental health, GPs are in a unique position to provide mental health care across the illness spectrum and the lifespan. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017), approximately 18 million GP encounters in 2015-16 were mental health related. This is an annual increase of 4.7 percent and comparable to the 9 million services provided by State and Territory mental health services in the same period.2 

The limited availability of specialist services means that patients are more likely to seek help for mental distress from their GPs.

At present, two distinct levels of care are defined within the MBS structure. Level 1 Mental Health Skills Training care enables GPs to provide basic assessment and management of high prevalence disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Level 2 Provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies care enables GPs to provide psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural therapy to patients. Both levels have specific training requirements as defined under the Better Access initiative, and the standards of this training are accredited by the GPMHSC. 

However, the GPMHSC believe there is a need for a third level of care and training to be recognised by the MBS – Level 3 Advanced Mental Health Skills. The purpose of this position statement is to acknowledge the GPs who have undertaken extended and extensive training and education for additional skills in psychiatry and psychology.

This position statement will serve as an advocacy tool when the GPMHSC meet with key Government stakeholders in ongoing work to champion the vital role of the GPs in primary mental health care. 

GPs with Level 3 Advanced Mental Health Skills would be likely to operate at a secondary care level: equivalent to GP anaesthetists or GP obstetricians. This includes acute and emergency care for patients with acute psychosis, acute suicidality and severe mental illness. It is expected this cohort of GPs would work with other mental health agencies, such as acute mental health units, and provide alternative services to psychiatrists and psychologists in areas that are geographically isolated and/or lack appropriate services. These skills would be particularly important in rural and remote communities so GPs and can provide these services to patients who are unable to access other services. 

Advantages of Level 3 Advanced Mental Health Training Recognition includes: 
 

Example of training and education completed by GPs with Advanced Mental Health Skills 
 

Prerequisites

   

Desirable

   

References

  1. Britt H MG, Henderson J, Bayram C, Harrison C, Valenti L, Wong C, Gordon J, Pollack AJ, Pan Y, Charles J. General practice activity in Australia 2015–16.
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Mental health Services in Australia, 2017.
  3. Kelly BJ, Stain HJ, Coleman C, et al. Mental health and well‐being within rural communities: The Australian Rural Mental Health Study. Australian Journal of Rural Health 2010;18(1):16-24.