Message from Chair

Hello from the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC), and welcome to 2024 and the summer edition of our newsletter.

In 2023, the GPMHSC brought to you updated Mental Health Treatment Plan and Eating Disorder Plan templates, the FPS mentorship program, the FPS subsidy and new MHST and FPS ST activities, while also advocating for GPs in mental health in the political arena.

This year, the GPMHSC is pleased to present a variety of new resources designed to support general practitioners in their professional endeavours. We’re launching the fourth intake of the FPS mentorship program, a program that has consistently garnered positive feedback from our mentees, surpassing initial expectations. Additionally, we’re actively developing resources tailored for specific populations as well as updating our Suicide prevention and first aid: A guide for GPs, After suicide: A guide for GPs, Practice guide: Communication between medical and mental health professionals and Working with the Stepped Care Model resources. We will also be introducing new FPS ST activities focused on insomnia, as well as wellbeing programs designed for children and adolescents.

In 2024, the GPMHSC, alongside its representatives from the RACGP, ACRRM, RANZCP, APS, and Consumer and Carer representatives, remains committed to acknowledging the diligent efforts of general practitioners in the field of mental health. We are looking forward to working with the GPs of Australia to contribute to a more promising future for general practice.

Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin

Chair, GPMHSC