Aboriginal MHDA Psychiatry
Mentoring Program
Donna Stanley
Clinical Leader Aboriginal MHDA
Orange Western NSW LHD
Acknowledgment of Country
With respect I honour the traditional owners of
the land upon which we meet today.
Acknowledging the Gumbaynggirr Peoples
thousands of years of spiritual connection to
this country and for welcoming us here to
enjoy and celebrate this beautiful place.
I honour and pay my respect to Elders past &
present, all other Aboriginal nations and our
Non-Aboriginal Brothers & Sisters.
Introduction
• ‘Closing the Gap’
• Defining Mentoring
• Historical background
– Mentoring Concept
– Policy Context
• Mentoring Model
• Mentoring Review
• Future work
Defining Mentoring
‘Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship
that involves a more experienced person
helping a less experienced person to achieve
his/her goals.’
Historical Background
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Concept developed in 2007
18% of Inpatient Population Aboriginal
Aboriginal Population 7.3% (ABS Data)
Policy implementation by MH Teams, Strategy
5: A supported and skilled workforce
(Mentoring)
Historical Background
The Project Aim
• To develop long term sustainable models of mentoring
between the Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce and
psychiatrists who are current employees of [former] GWAHS
Objectives
• To facilitate two way learning between Aboriginal Mental
Health and Psychiatry
• To provide sound clinical mentoring and support to Aboriginal
Mental Health Workers
• To improve support structures for Aboriginal Mental Health
Workers
Historical Background
Underlying Principles of the Project
• AMHWs are essential to improving AMH [Aboriginal
Mental Health]
• Psychiatrists are a critical part of the process to
improve AMH
• Education and learning is required both ways
• This work is additional to current services provided
by both psychiatrists and AMHWs
• The project is a long term career development
process
• Participation in the project is on a voluntary basis
Mentoring Model
Who provides the mentoring?
• A consultant psychiatrist is contracted to
provide mentoring for a maximum of two days
per month. He is currently providing
mentoring one day per month. He is flown
from Sydney to Orange specifically to conduct
the sessions.
Mentoring Model
Who attends the mentoring sessions?
• Aboriginal Mental Health Clinicians and
Trainees, Clinical Leader, Area Coordinator and
State-wide Coordinator participate in
mentoring sessions. (Voluntary)
Mentoring Model
Coordination
The Clinical Leader coordinates
• the psychiatrist’s visit
• arranges the individual and group sessions
• sends out a mentoring schedule for the
coming year
• Individuals are allocated individual sessions
during each visit.
Mentoring Model
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Individual Mentoring
Group Mentoring
Post Session Follow up
Organisational Follow up
Mentoring Review
• Reviewers engaged in 2012 (Carol Watson and
Nea Harrison)
• Methodology based on qualitative data
– One Focus Group
– 39 Interviews
– Lead by Clinical and Management Steering Group
Mentoring Review
• Mentees: Access to highly experienced, independent,
supportive senior mental health clinicians and a two way
learning environment
• Senior MH Clinical Leaders: Time and access to independent
mentors who understand the mental health context
• Mentors: Time specifically allocated for mentoring and
opportunity to build relationships and learn more about
Aboriginal culture, and
• Organisation/Management: A committed group of high
calibre psychiatrists provide additional support to the
Aboriginal Mental Health workforce and learning's are taken
back to the team to inform practice.
Mentoring Review
• Building of mentees’ knowledge, skills and
confidence
• Mentees supported, validated and empowered
• Psychiatrists’ knowledge of Aboriginal culture,
community concerns, family dynamics and the role
of the AMHW strengthened
• Aboriginal mental health workers retained, and
• Status and perceived value of Aboriginal MHDA
workforce increased.
Mentoring Review
Issues noted were:
• The lack of initial clarity around a formal program design, and
some variances in the type of mentoring models conducted by
different psychiatrists; this in the context that there is overall
agreement to the benefits of the program.
• Concerns about funding support for the program moving
forward
• Consideration of other clinical professional groups as mentors,
and
• Clarity of governance for the program – monitoring, quality
processes and reporting.
Future Work
Challenges arising from the Review are now to
ensure:
• A core mentorship model is further developed
• A monitoring and evaluation framework is
developed
• Workforce requirements are reviewed
• A commitment to continue
Aboriginal MHDA Mentoring Program
Comments/Questions