Enhanced primary mental health services in response to disaster

Abstract

Objective: Although postdisaster mental health sequelae are recognized, the role of mental health services in primary care after disasters has not been investigated. This study examined the uptake of enhanced primary mental health services delivered via the Australian government mental health response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires and considered the consumer outcomes associated with them. Methods: Data from a national Web-based minimum data set enabled description of consumers, sessions, and treatment outcomes. Key informant interviews provided supplementary qualitative data. Results: From January 2009 to June 2011, a total of 1,535 consumers received 9,949 sessions via enhanced primary me..