Alaya Partners has joined forces with the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health – Emerging Minds to develop a hybrid training program for mental health clinicians interested in working to improve the mental health outcomes of children ( aged 0-12).  Alaya has sponsored this workforce pilot program in hopes to:

• Expand the current clinical scope of regional mental health clinicians working with Alaya’s clinical partner APMHA HealthCare Ltd.
• Minimise the gaps in available and appropriate mental health services for children in regional Victoria
• Expand this program, if successful to other regions in Australia where gaps in available and appropriate mental health clinicians are evident

The Emerging Minds National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health initiative aims to  improve the mental health outcomes of children by assisting professionals within the field refine their skill in identifying, assessing and supporting children at risk of mental health conditions. Within this partnership Emerging Minds has provided a blended 3 month program, consisting of eLearning, reflective assessments and face to face workshops, which aim to inform and support mental health clinicians working with children in PHN programs.

This pilot program has now commenced and a decision on whether to expand this program to other areas of Australia will likely occur in October 2019.

Alaya Partners has partnered with Gilead Sciences to deliver specialised training to general practices in both the Murray and Western Victoria PHN regions. This training expanded on Alaya’s successful GP training ‘Mental Health in General Practice – Simplifying the process in every day practice’ by incorporating atypical client cohorts at risk of/ are experiencing mental illness or Hepatitis C.

Whilst Australia is leading the world in eliminating Hepatitis C from vulnerable cohorts, primary care practitioners continue to play a leading role in the treatment and regional areas such as Murray and Western Victoria have been identified as districts where treatment screening and linking to care is lagging. The focus of this training was to engage general practitioners to consider atypical cohorts at risk and under diagnosed within a rural primary care environment (RACGP & CPD points were awarded). By redefining what today’s at risk populations may look like, the training aims to also highlight the importance of reviewing and updating processes and systems in a general practice setting to ensure optimal use of software and good clinical care.

After 9 sessions successful workshops, Gilead and Alaya will be continuing to develop resources and education for general practice. Check out our events to find out where the next 2 sessions will be delivered!