Approach to mental health treatment to be 'turned on its head'

12 June 2001

The approach to the treatment of people with mental health problems in Australia is about to be "turned on its head" with the launch tomorrow (Wednesday 13 June) of a $250,000-funded project which will see trained mental health patients evaluating the needs of other people with mental health problems.

"The approach turns everything on its head in the way we now try to service the needs of mental health patients. We hope to develop a model for the whole country," according to one of the project team members, Dr Lindsay Oades, a lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Wollongong who is also employed by the Illawarra Institute for Mental Health.

The three-year project, funded by an industry-linked Australia Research Council grant, the Illawarra Area Health Service and the University of Wollongong, will involve rigorous research into the various needs of mental health patients, particularly those with schizophrenia.

The project team has just appointed a new PhD researcher and other graduates will soon be joining up. Initially, up to 12 mental health patients will be provided with brief training before having ongoing supervision in the field. They will be paid as research assistants of the University of Wollongong.

"What's in future questionnaires for patients to answer will be determined by trained mental health patients themselves. In effect, we are training consumers as service evaluators," Dr Oades said.

Dr Oades said to his knowledge it was the largest and first grant ever offered in this area of research.

The Illawarra Institute for Mental Health is shortly planning a restructure and feedback from this project will be of invaluable use in the restructure.

Media please note
When: The 'Consumers as Researchers project' will be launched at the 'Consumer Evaluation of Mental Health Services Workshop' being held from 9.30am to 2.30pm Wednesday 13 June. Best opportunity for filming/ photography during the morning tea break from 10.30am to 11am
Where: The Function Centre, UniCentre.
Further information: Dr Lindsay Oades on (02) 4221 3694.