Australian Integrated Mental Health Initiative (AIMhi)
CRCAH Project No. SE63
Administering organisation
University of Queensland
Program Manager
Vanessa Harris
Project Leader
David Kavanagh (University of Queensland)
Tricia Nagel, Northern Territory site (Menzies School of Health Research)
Team members
Carolyn Thompson, John Cusack, Neil Spencer, Daniel Mulholland, Jenni Judd, Valerie Thompson, Pat Bradley
Contact details
Dr Tricia Nagel
Valerie Thompson
Tel: 08 8922 7943
Fax: MSHR
Email: tricia.nagel@menzies.edu.au
Funding sources
CRC for Aboriginal Health, Commonwealth Department of Health and Community Services, National Health and Medical Research Council, Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund
In kind contributors: Department of Health and Community Services, Top End Division of General Practice
Partners involved
- University of Queensland
- Top End Mental Health Services
- Top End Division of General Practice
Project summary
This project aims to improve outcomes for remote Indigenous clients of mental health services in remote Top End communities over five years. Two key interventions are planned over the five years: development of two-way mental health promotion resources (for health professionals, clients and carers) and development of new approaches to service delivery.
Summary of projected outcomes
The primary objectives of the AIMhi project are:
- Improved primary care management of mental disorders in remote Indigenous communities.
- Improved specialist service delivery to residents of remote communities.
- Improved mental health literacy of residents and service providers in remote Indigenous communities.
- Increased capacity to manage mental illness within communities.
- Development of a research team focused on Indigenous mental health in the Northern Territory.
- Enhanced capacity of Northern Territory Indigenous researchers in the field of mental health.
- Production of practice guidelines for the management of mental illness in Indigenous communities.
- Improved data collection and use relevant to Indigenous mental health.
Summary of project implementation
The Northern Territory project entails:
- a story-telling project—development of culturally appropriate mental health tools, 2003–08;
- Remote Service Provider survey 2003 and follow up, 2007;
- randomised controlled trial of a brief intervention, 2003–07;
- service provider training in care planning and brief interventions, 2006–07;
- development of mental health audit for ABCDE project, 2005–06;
- development of pictorial assessment and treatment tools, 2003–07.
Download a copy of the:
- Fact Sheet: Caring for Indigenous People with Mental Illness March 2008
Related links and publications:
Wellbeing Pathways information sheet released by AIMhi, October 2010. See article in Wangka Pulka, issue 2, December 2010, p 14.
AIMhi has produced a wealth of resources for talking about and treating Indigenous mental health issues. These include flipcharts, care plans, journal articles, pamphlets, and stories of recovery. To find out more, go to http://menzies.edu.au/research/healing-and-resilience/mental-health/aimhi-nt-australian-integrated-mental-health-initiativ. The CRC for Aboriginal Health is assisting AIMhi with updating their flipcharts and other resources.
Nagel T, Thompson C (2009) The central role of Aboriginal families in motivational counselling: family support and family ‘humbug’,Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin, January to March 2010 issue.
Nagel, T., 2004, 'Rural News: Update from the NT', Australasian Psychiatry, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 425-7.