The Symposium was hosted by the Australian Divisions of General Practice (ADGP) in collaboration with the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) and beyondblue, the National Depression Initiative, with funding support from the Department of Health and Ageing. 

We were especially privileged to have the opportunity to feature two key international leaders in the primary mental health care arena in the program.  Professor Sir David Goldberg and Professor Andre Tylee, leading advocates for primary mental health care reform from the Institute of Psychiatry in the UK, attended as key speakers and discussants.

Australia's Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative has delivered significant funding and support to general practice for the delivery of quality primary mental health care. After nine months of implementation and on the eve of Australian Health Ministers' endorsing a new mental health policy and plan 2003-2008, the Symposium was well timed.

The Symposium was an opportunity to bring together key policy makers, general practitioners and other health professionals, international experts, consumers and carers and the National Primary Mental Health DLO Network to appraise Australia's primary mental health care reform experience and consider future directions.

GP participants were nominated based on their interest in primary mental health care by the Mental Health Development Liaison Officer in each State and Territory.
 

"For policy makers, we hope these resources contribute positively to future policy development.  For Divisions, who are at the forefront of leading and promoting change in mental health service delivery, this summary of proceedings is testimony to the role you have played in mental health care to date.  We hope that they assist you to promote and advance a quality primary mental health care agenda."

Dr Rob Walters Chair Australian Divisions of General Practice October 2003

"Today is a unique opportunity to bring together a diverse mix of participants to discuss primary mental health care innovation and reform - GPs, staff from Divisions of General Practice, policy makers, consumers, carers and academics as well as international and national experts. Considerable investment in primary mental health care under the 2nd National Mental Health Plan has triggered an unprecedented focus on mental health activity in general practice and Divisions.

Dr Julie Thompson, Chair, Better Outcomes Implementation Advisory Group and general practice representative, Australian Health Ministers, National Mental Health Working Group May 7 2003.

For a complete version of the Summary of Proceedings of the PMHC Symposium see  Symposium Proceedings 179 KB 

For the PowerPoint presentations delivered during the Symposium (in pdf black and white) see below