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Mental health

Resources

Physical Assessment for Mental Health Patients Form

This assessment form has been developed by the ECI for use in emergency departments to support the medical assessment of mental health patients.

Mental Health for Emergency Departments: A Reference Guide, NSW Health 2015

This document is a reference guide for clinicians working as first responders to mental health presentations, particularly for emergency and acute presentations. It provides practical guidance in the initial clinical assessment and management of mental health presentations.

This document is a revision and update of the Mental Health for Emergency Departments - A Reference Guide" 2009. Its development involved extensive consultation with nursing, medical, and allied health clinicians from both emergency medicine and mental health services. It is based on the best clinical advice currently available. As such, it will require updating in the light of evidence and changes to clinical practice in the future.

Emergency Management of the high risk mental health patient - updated September 2016

Pamphlet developed by the ECI for use in EDs.

Medical assessment of the mental health patient - revised March 2015

Information prepared by the ECI including supporting evidence and an assessment form for use in EDs.

Management of patients with Acute Severe Behavioural Disturbance in Emergency Departments - August 2015

The purpose of this Guideline is to address the management and initial sedation requirements of patients who present to emergency departments with acute severe behavioural disturbance (ASBD). This guideline includes information for children, adolescents (children and adolescents includes those under 16 years) and adults under 65 years. Management of older persons over 65 years is not contained in this Guideline.

Managing Driving Safety for At Risk Clients – Example Template - This resource provides an adaptable flowchart outlining what to do if a person is at risk of driving unsafely.

Clinical Report as to mental state of a detained person - Form 1 - for assessments under section 27 and 27A of the Mental Health Act, NSW Health, 2017

This is of relevance to EDs declared a mental health facility under the Mental Health Act and ED staff who undertake assessments under section 27 or section 27A of the Act.

This form came into force on the 9 March 2017 and replaces:

  • Form 1 - Medical report as to mental state of a detained person (in relation to assessments under section 27 of the Mental Health Act, and
  • The interim form Report as to mental state of a detained person - Section 27A (in relation to assessments under section 27A of the Mental Health Act.

NSW Health – NSW Police Force Memorandum of Understanding 2018

Incorporating provisions of the Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW) No 8 and the Mental Health Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 (NSW)

This revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a result of ongoing constructive consultation and collaboration between NSW Health (including NSW Ambulance) and NSW Police Force. For our staff who respond to and care for people in the community and in our hospitals, this MOU sets out the principles to guide how we will work together to deliver these services.

For people with a mental illness or a mental disorder, this MOU is underpinned by the objects of the Mental Health Act 2007 No 8 (MHA)

Safety Notice 003_16 - Use of prone restraint and parenteral medication in healthcare settings - 14 July 2016

Mental health, drug and alcohol - Emergency Department and Ambulance Monitoring Guideline, GL2012_009, NSW Health, 18 October 2012

The purpose of this guideline is to guide the flow of information within the Ministry of Health in regards to increases in Emergency Department (ED) presentations or NSW Ambulance Service calls for mental health, drug or alcohol problems identified by the Public Health Real-time Emergency Department Surveillance System (PHREDSS).

Minimising Restraint Use in Adults, PD2016_012, NSW Health, 10 May 2016

This policy provides direction on the development of procedures for the assessment, authorisation and documentation to be undertaken prior to use of restraint. The procedure outlines the requirements for the regular review of the use of restraint.

Assessing inpatient mental health care for children and adolescents, (IB2023_001, NSW Health, 2023)

Mental health – 24 hour contacts

The 1800 011 511 Mental Health Line has been established to ensure that people with a mental health problem, their families and carers can access the care they need whenever and wherever they need it.

It is not an emergency service so people in a life threatening situation must still call 000 to receive immediate help.

It will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will provide a telephone triage assessment and referral service staffed by mental health clinicians. It will also be used to provide advice about clinical symptoms, the urgency of the need for care and local treatment options for service providers, such as general practitioners, police and ambulance officers.

Head to Health Website

The mindhealthconnect website aggregates mental health resources and content from the leading health focused organisations in Australia. You can access a range of mental health resources including online programs, fact sheets, audio and video, and online communities.

Australia has great mental health services and resources, but it can be tough finding the ones that suit you best. Head to Health have made your search easier by hand-picking resources from publicly funded providers

WA Centre for Clinical Interventions

Information for doctors on common ED mental health presentations. Includes patient handouts.

Presentations:

Relevant Patient Factsheets

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