Eastern Melbourne PHN (EMPHN) recently conducted surveys and focus groups with members of the public to learn about people’s experiences of visiting a GP for a mental health concern, either for themselves, a family member, or someone they care for.
Visiting a GP for a mental health concern is often the first step people take to get mental health support, and this experience can vary greatly from individual to individual.
The feedback EMPHN received from the survey (from 316 respondents) and focus groups will inform the design of our mental health services in the future, particularly the design of our mental health ‘stepped care’ services. These services, for people experiencing a range of mental health issues from mild to severe, are tailored to address a person’s current needs, with a focus on collaborative care.
Gathering feedback from the community provides EMPHN with a fuller picture of what is most useful and supportive when someone has a mental health challenge. This, in turn, tells us how we can best assist GPs to provide the mental health support people want, in the way they want it.
Read about the findings from people in the community seeking support from a GP.