Read on Twitter
Anyone fancy a little thread on why it's important that mental health planning and funding includes general practice? (like for example the Covid19 mental health announcement didn't https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/covid-19-481-million-for-national-mental-health-and-wellbeing-pandemic-response-plan)
Doesn't really matter, you're getting one anyway!
Doesn't really matter, you're getting one anyway!
First up, GPs see a lot of mental health. Some of it goes to psychologists, some to psychiatrists, some to other services.
But GPs see and manage most mental health.
But GPs see and manage most mental health.
Second, mental health and distress causes physical symptoms - headaches, lump in the neck, chest pain, abdominal pains, palpitations etc. - that need careful assessment. This is what GPs are experts in.
Third, many people with mental health problems have other chronic diseases, and many people with chronic diseases have mental health problems.
GPs help people, not diagnoses...
GPs help people, not diagnoses...
More third...
You can't wait until someone's mental health is managed to manage their diabetes. And you can't wait until diabetes is under control to manage their mental health.
It's all done together - GP expertise.
You can't wait until someone's mental health is managed to manage their diabetes. And you can't wait until diabetes is under control to manage their mental health.
It's all done together - GP expertise.
Fourth, people can be seen in a GP waiting room, and not have guesses made about the reason for being there.
More fourth...
If you're seen in a GP waiting room, it can always be your sore elbow.
Some people are anxious about being seen at Headspace for example, because there aren't that many reasons why you'd go.
If you're seen in a GP waiting room, it can always be your sore elbow.
Some people are anxious about being seen at Headspace for example, because there aren't that many reasons why you'd go.
Fifth, people have often seen their GP before, and (if the GP has done their work properly) they have developed trust.
It can be very difficult to see another stranger, and tell your story again.
It can be very difficult to see another stranger, and tell your story again.
Sixth, some people - especially those who live in circumstances that make mental health worse - don't have reliable internet access at home, or don't have smart phones.
Seventh, many internet and phone apps are not usable by those who need them most.
See @GPswampwarrior's work on e-mental health here: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/july/emental-health
See @GPswampwarrior's work on e-mental health here: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/july/emental-health
Eighth, some people need practical local help with local agencies. Mental health problems often arise from the specifics of a local environment, which requires local knowledge, not just generic national call-centre knowledge.
I'm not suggesting that we don't need apps, and phone lines and call centres and psychologists and psychologists. We absolutely definitely need all of those.
But if that is the entirety of your strategy, you're missing the professianals doing the bulk of the work. And you're not integrating mental health care into the services where people are treated (as opposed to people being treated as just diseases)
And, if you haven't buIlt equity into your strategy FROM THE VERY START, I can pretty much guarantee that you will be worsening health outcomes for those that need you most.
And, if you are reading this and wishing your GP did this well, that makes me sad too, and it's always worth trying to find a GP who will work really well with you. There are lots and lots out there.
What I have said here is (I hope) not controversial in the GP world!
What I have said here is (I hope) not controversial in the GP world!
That's my little thread done.
Unless I think of something else I missed.
Unless I think of something else I missed.
P.S. I saw at least 3 patients just on one day last week with significant mental health problems who would have seen absolutely zero of the mental health funding announced here https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/covid-19-481-million-for-national-mental-health-and-wellbeing-pandemic-response-plan
That would be just a normal day at work for me and many other GPs.
That would be just a normal day at work for me and many other GPs.
