Mental Health Learning & Development
The National Mental Health Plan identified the need to invest in our work force and foster a culture of research, innovation and sustainability. South Australia’s 2020-2025 Mental Health Services Plan (MHSP) also identified learning as key to providing a first-class health service and a work force with high level skills and capacity.
The MHSP states that training and development is based on contemporary models of care and practise, and on improving identified areas of need across the state.
The South Australian Mental Health Training Centre (SAMHTC) aims to create consistent opportunities for training and development for other workforce cohorts, including the lived experience and peer workforce.
There is also opportunity for non-mental health staff to benefit from mental health specific training, as many staff in general health areas or other social services sectors have limited skills and knowledge for working in mental health even though they interact with the mental health system regularly.
Through the MHSP, SAMHTC has identified 3 key principles to improving knowledge, skills and delivery of care:
• General and discipline-specific training needs are identified through the development of core competencies based on evidence-based therapies
• Performance development supports all staff in continuous growth and lifelong learning
• The whole workforce is trained in contemporary models of practice including Mental Health First Aid, trauma informed care practice, culturally appropriate care and recovery-based approaches.