AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
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National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce.
In May 2000, the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council, National Mental Health Working Group identified the need for the development of a national mental health education and training initiative to address issues relating to education, training and workforce and to ensure an appropriately skilled mental health workforce for the future.
The National Mental Health Education and Training Advisory Group (NMHETAG) was established by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care in August 2000 and the group agreed as a first priority, to the development of National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce.
The draft Practice Standards have been developed in consultation with the professions of psychiatry, nursing, social work, psychology and occupational therapy. The Standards are intended to be complementary to the discipline specific competencies and focus on the knowledge, skills and attitudes required by all mental health practitioners, regardless of their profession.
The Practice Standards are to provide a realistic benchmark for the mental health workforce in the 21st century. It is envisaged that all practitioners will work towards attaining these Practice Standards within two years of their introduction or commencing duties in a mental health service.
The MHCA has been invited to provide comment on the Practice Standards. Please find attached:
- the draft submission from the MHCA regarding the National Practice Standards for the Mental Heatlh Workforce
- a copy of the draft National Practice Standards
- supporting information detailing the development of the draft Practice
Standards, the process for consultation established by the NMHETAG, and the issues the
Advisory Group has asked the MHCA to consider in providing comment .
Comments on the MHCA's submission would be appreciated by the Secretariat by COB Thursday 7 February 2002. The final submission from the MHCA is due 22 February 2002.
Contact Carmen Hinkley (MHCA) for details.
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