Austin Health’s Post

Another publication emerging from the Peer-led Overdose Research funded by Queensland Mental Health Commission, representing an excellent collab between Griffith University & QuIVAA. This latest study -led by a stellar team (Emma Kill, Dominique De Andrade, Jacinta H., Kairi Kõlves) - demonstrates the devastating impact of stigma, healthcare disparities, and structural barriers faced by people who use drugs in regional Queensland. These systemic issues are fueling cycles of harm, making it harder for people who use drugs to access the support they need. Regional communities, already underserved, are being disproportionately affected. The message is clear: we must address these barriers and invest in accessible, community-led services to prevent further loss and create an environment where people feel empowered to seek help. https://lnkd.in/genG29hV

CAPES faculty Celine Larkin, Rachel Davis-Martin, and Edwin Boudreaux published a new article “It’s so scary, and you’re so alone with it”: Clinicians’ perspectives on suicide risk management in integrated primary care". Big picture: Clinics are busy but clinicians WANT to preserve patient self-determination and trust, and ensure their safety. Clinicians named a variety of tools to ask about suicide risk, but limited resources to offer people who are potentially at risk. Clinicians want more protocols and tools, training, changes to the electronic health record, and staff. Suicide prevention in primary care should attend to the needs of this setting, adapt the approach to ensure they fit with workflow while centering patient autonomy and trust. #suicideresearch #suicideprevention #qualitative #research #primarycare #patientcentered

MY LATEST PUBLICATION In today's healthcare landscape, integrating mental health services into primary care is more important than ever. Many vulnerable populations face significant barriers to accessing mental health care, whether due to stigma, cost, or a lack of available resources. By embedding mental health support within primary care, we can reduce these barriers and provide more holistic care that addresses both physical and psychological well-being. This approach is crucial in managing conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders that are often overlooked or under-treated in traditional healthcare settings. My newly published article, "Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care: Safeguarding Vulnerable Patients," explores how this model of care can improve patient outcomes and protect those most at risk. I delve into the benefits of a collaborative approach between primary care providers and mental health professionals, examining strategies that ensure mental health becomes a core part of every patient’s care journey. This integration not only increases access to care but also strengthens the overall healthcare system by ensuring patients receive comprehensive and timely interventions. I encourage you to read the article and reflect on how we can collectively work towards a more inclusive healthcare model. By prioritizing mental health at the primary care level, we can safeguard vulnerable populations and create a more equitable and effective healthcare system for all.

The implementation of CMS's Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model officially launched on 1/1/25. This VBC/PFP program focuses on four key elements: care integration, care management, health equity, and HIT. Initiatives by CMS/HHS and numerous studies highlight the compounded positive impact (quality, outcomes, and cost) of IBH interventions on population health. The concept of "integrated behavioral health," involving whole-person healthcare from primary care and behavioral health providers, is increasingly recognized for its effectiveness. The challenges of care integration, navigation, and coordination are well-documented. How is your organization adjusting to this shift? Welcome the opportunity to learn more!

As expected, a week after Lord Ara Darzi’s diagnosis of the NHS was published, the UK’s health & care community is still poring over the findings. Despite - and because of - the hundreds of summaries and interpretations offered on LinkedIn and elsewhere, it can be hard to know how to process the diagnosis. To cut through the noise, my colleague Christopher B. Miller PhD ran a quick analysis on mentions in the report. The data matches the narrative that mental health must be a core focus for the NHS and Labour: - Mental health 129 - GP(s) 82 - Productivity 62 - Cancer 51 - Public health 30 - Primary care 25 - Waiting time(s) 21 - Diabetes 20 - Cardiovascular 16 - Physical health 11 Moving from diagnosis to cure, the final report of the IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity has been released with recommendations for fixing the NHS. Again, mental health features heavily. After the release, Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP repeated the three big shifts he wants to see: ▶️ From analogue to digital ▶️ From hospitals to community ▶️ From treating sickness to preventing it What will this mean for mental health - such a focus for Lord Darzi in his report? It will mean a huge number of things, of course. The problem is complex. But one simple change that powers all three shifts is clear: greater access to mental health treatment in primary care and the community - meeting patients earlier in their journey, before symptoms worsen. Digital innovation is vital to making this a reality. Used appropriately, in tandem with excellent in-person services, digital can massively increase access. Key benefits: ✅ More convenient for patients ✅ Improved outcomes ✅ Reduced burden on GPs ✅ Reduced reliance on prescribed medicines ✅ Cost savings for the NHS Funding NICE-recommended, cost-saving digital treatments like Sleepio is one way to start the shift - with years of important work ahead to truly achieve it. #mentalhealth #nhs #darzireport #ipprreport

✨️Perth workshops confirmed✨️ Our accredited GP Management of Depression and Suicidality Course is set to launch across Perth. Developed by RCSWA General Practitioners, Psychiatrist Dr Mat Coleman, and cultural and lived experience advisors, the course is designed to enhance the skills of GPs in treating depression and suicidality through six online modules and a face-to-face workshop. Choose from... 📍Nedlands: Thursday 28 November, QEII N Block, G02 📍Crawley: Wednesday 4 December, UWA UniClub 📍Applecross: Thursday 5 December, Raffles Hotel - Kitson Room 📍East Perth: Friday 7 February, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service 📍Rockingham: Wednesday 19 February, Quest Rockingham 📍Mandurah: Thursday 20 February, WOTSO - 22 Ormsby Terrace 📍Crawley: Wednesday 26 February, UWA UniClub 📍Guildford: Thursday 27 February, Rose & Crown Hotel 📍Joondalup: Wednesday 5 March, Joondalup Resort - The Quarry Room 📍Applecross: Thursday 6 March, Raffles Hotel - Kitson Room 📍Guildford: Wednesday 12 March, Rose & Crown Hotel 📍Joondalup: Thursday 13 March , Joondalup Resort - The Quarry Room 📍Mandurah: Wednesday 19 March, WOTSO - 22 Ormsby Terrace 📍Rockingham: Thursday 20 March, Quest Rockingham ⏰️ For times and other details, register via the online form: https://lnkd.in/gfWuMupM Read more about the course and what GPs think: https://lnkd.in/gc5ZMXmr This project is delivered by WA Primary Health Alliance - WAPHA and RCSWA Regional Training Hubs with support from The University of Western Australia Suicide Prevention & Resilience Research Centre (SPARRC), @Rural-Health-West, WA Centre for Rural Health at UWA, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM). #RCSWAhubs #mentalhealth #ruralmentalhealth #ruralhealth

In light of the recent findings from Vizient, Inc report on disparities in mental health treatments between Medicaid and commercially insured populations, it’s essential for us at IRCMS to delve deeper into how these insights impact our clients and their revenue cycle management. In our latest blog post, we cover: 💡Understanding Treatment Disparities 💡Impact on Emergency Department Utilization 💡Addressing Revenue Cycle Challenges Read the full blog post here: https://hubs.ly/Q02CNPLC0 Connect with our team today: Nick DeRose and Jamie Knox

We found that patients with OUD at high risk will engage with care managers and receive the collaborative care model (CoCM) with fidelity. This finding is significant because individuals with OUD are difficult to engage and retain in treatment, and those with co-occurring disorders often face heightened challenges, resulting in lower access and higher rates of mortality.2,5 Our results indicate that the CoCM may offer a solution to the undertreatment of OUD for patients with complex conditions. When community health workers are used, the CoCM may be an efficient approach to address behavioral health professional shortages.

🚀 The ARMOR Project is a game-changer in healthcare and SUD recovery, taking care directly to the communities that need it most. Learn how RVMW fosters innovation with a fully-staffed mobile health unit. Read more here: https://hubs.ly/Q02DMkT_0 #OpioidCrisis #HealthcareInnovation

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗷𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗞𝗮𝘂𝗿'𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 (𝗠𝗦) In November 2012, Surjeet began experiencing MS symptoms, from a stiff neck to numbness that left her unable to eat independently. Despite the challenges, December brought a sense of relief with an official MS diagnosis, marking the beginning of her journey towards understanding and treatment. Choosing to defy societal norms, Surjeet embarked on a mission to raise awareness about MS through social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. In a culture where discussing illnesses openly is often taboo, Surjeet's openness shattered barriers, sparking conversations and fostering understanding. For Surjeet, MS has been a transformative journey, reshaping not only her lifestyle but also her fundamental habits and social interactions. Navigating through unpredictable health challenges, she's had to adjust her engagements and streamline her social circle, facing misunderstandings about the constant fatigue and pain she experiences. Despite the hurdles, Surjeet has established her own MS support network, offering guidance and counseling to fellow warriors. Through regular interviews with health professionals and sharing her own experiences, she aims to empower others, ensuring they understand they're not alone and encouraging them to live positively with MS. Be sure to follow her IG page @multiplsclerosis.awareness Surjeet's story is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the power of community support. Let's stand together, amplifying the voices of BIPOC individuals in the autoimmune community, raising awareness, and fostering a culture of understanding and support.