To pilot the implementation of the Allied Health Brief Therapies (AHBT) Clinic Model of Service within the Darling Downs, Metro South and West Moreton Health Services to support allied health mental health staff deliver brief psychotherapeutic interventions to consumers at risk of suicide.
Allied Health Brief Therapies Clinics: Collaborative care during suicidal crisis
Summary
Aim
The aim of the clinics is to work collaboratively with consumers at risk of suicide, their carers and families to deliver timely, accessible brief evidence based psychotherapeutic services within three business days of referral from Emergency Department (ED) or Acute Care Teams (ACT).
Benefits
- AHBT Clinic Co-located Model of Service optimises consumer transitions between internal Hospital and Health Service (HHS) ED and mental health services as well as community and primary health care sector service providers
- Active engagement of consumers with suicidality during the highest period of risk, reducing potential for further escalation / deterioration and potential reduction in future use of limited HHS system resources
- Allied health mental health workforce that has capacity and opportunity to work to full practice scope - resulting in higher rates of job satisfaction and staff retention
Background
Many people at risk for suicide attend a hospital ED seeking help for their distress, however resent reviews highlight the difficulty of meeting the complex needs of those presenting with suicidality within ED. During 2018, three AHBT clinics were established on a trial basis in three health services in Queensland; Darling Downs, West Moreton and Metro South. The clinics, located in the community (at Community Health Centres and NGO facilities) provide immediate, accessible and coordinated treatment for those presenting with suicidality. When assessed in the ED, consumers are referred to the Clinics within 3 business days, where allied health mental health staff work collaboratively with them, their families and carers to provide personalised psychotherapeutic support. The overall aim of the Clinics is to ensure consumers remain engaged and safe during their time of crisis and supported in their transition, as required, to a range of community, private and primary care-based service providers. The secondary aim was to provide opportunity for workforce to work to full scope in delivery of therapeutic interventions.