Funding Body

Capital Funding

Project Description

This project will ascertain the attributes and appropriateness of the services Silver Chain provides to individuals living with a mental health problem, how well these services meet their needs and whether there are any gaps between what is currently provided (Silver Chain and external) and what is currently considered best practice. The methods that will be used within this needs analysis include separate surveys of clients, carers and care staff, focus groups and semi-structured interviews with managers, staff and client/carer groups, analysis of service provision data and an extensive environmental scan.

The objectives of this project are to:

• Establish what services we currently provide to individuals with a mental health problem and their carers, and how well these services meet their needs.
• Establish what services are available in WA that could be accessed by our clients.
• Identify gaps in current services (Silver Chain and external) to individuals with a mental health problem.
• Identify what has been established as best practice care for the different needs of clients with a mental health problem
• Develop an Action Plan for people living with a mental health problem which will provide strategies for meeting the gaps and potential areas for improvement

Project Update

The project has been completed and the final report containing ten recommendations for action to enhance training for staff and support for clients was distributed to key stakeholders in June.  These recommendations, together with those of the related ‘Positioning of Mental Health Services Project’ are to be discussed and next steps agreed at a meeting of the Mental Health Project Steering Group.

Related Links

We Always Dress For Sunday Lunch
Aims to deliver a key strategy to assist the whole community to understand others by learning their life stories.

For further information please contact
Suzanne Vandermeulen
Research Officer
Email  SVandermeulen@silverchain.org.au