
Authors: Lucy Chang, Andrew Simpson, Fiona Chisholm, Megan Still
Year: 2017
Event: 2017 TheMHS Conference
Subject: Workforce, Clinical Issues, Service Systems, Delivery, Implementation
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: The Strengths Model has been around for over 20 years, and is a recovery oriented approach to mental health service delivery which helps people identify and achieve self-directed goals. There is evidence that strengths based care coordination decreases hospital admissions, supports employment and educational outcomes, and improves independent living skills. These findings appear consistent across different sites, settings and care coordinators.
Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) adopted The Strengths Model as our core model of care coordination for all community services. This paper will describe the training, support and implementation of Strengths Based Care Coordination across the District.
So far, we have trained more than 50 staff, including peer support workers, and specialist teams including early psychosis intervention. Results from the initial evaluations were overwhelmingly positive, with over 80% of participants reporting increased confidence in understanding the model, and conducting strengths assessments and strengths based goal plans. Implementation of the model into everyday activities in community mental health will be discussed, including the barriers.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objective 1: Understanding of the preparation for and implementation of strengths based care coordination in community mental health services.
Learning Objective 2: Understanding of modern mental health service system change.
References
Rapp, C. A., & Goscha, R. J. (2011). The strengths model: A recovery-oriented approach to mental health services. OUP USA.
se, S., Tsoi, E. W., Hamilton, B., O’Hagan, M., Shepherd, G., Slade, M., ... & Petrakis, M. (2016). Uses of strength-based interventions for people with serious mental illness: A critical review. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 62(3), 281-291.
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