Tender - Psychological Therapies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

⁠⁠⁠The National Mental Health Commission’s Contributing Lives, Thriving Communities - Report of the National Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services (the Review) indicated that there is a significant mental health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have lower access to mental health services. It also identified the need to focus on a consultative and collaborative approach to improve access to integrated, culturally appropriate mental health care delivered through the primary care sector.

In response to the Review, the Australian Government provided quarantined funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health.

This funding acknowledges the Review findings that access to culturally appropriate and safe mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is limited. Services and programs designed for the general population generally do not meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Many lack cultural appropriateness within a broader context of social and emotional wellbeing as understood by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

A better joined up, innovative and integrated approach is needed to bring together programs which are currently designed to separately support services such as social and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention, and where appropriate alcohol and other drug services, to improve support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Mental health is a priority theme identified across domains within the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023.

To meet this need, Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN (DDWMPHN) is seeking to commission a continuum of primary mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within a person-centred stepped care approach providing a range of services to meet local needs.

To request a copy of the tender please complete the below form.