What is Mental Health in Tertiary Curricula?
The Mental Health in Tertiary Curricula initiative aims to enhance the mental health skills of the newly graduating health workforce by expanding the mental health components of undergraduate health training. The initiative forms part of the Commonwealth's component of the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 - 2011.
Responsibility for the Mental Health in Tertiary Curricula initiative rests with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Why is this important?
The objective of the program is to improve current training programs for health professionals by expanding the mental health components of undergraduate health training. The Commonwealth is committed to enhancing the mental health skills of the newly graduated health workforce and encouraging a consistent approach to education in mental health.
Who will benefit?
Graduates from undergraduate health courses including nursing, social work, dietetics, pharmacy, occupational therapy and the physical therapies will benefit from this initiative and gain a greater understanding of mental health issues. The Australian community will also benefit by accessing health professionals with an enhanced knowledge of mental health issues.
What will the Mental Health in Tertiary Curricula initiative deliver?
Graduates from a wide variety of health courses will gain further skills and knowledge in the assessment, management and referral of people with a mental illness.
How will it work?
A framework for inclusion of mental health in undergraduate university courses will be established through review of course accreditation requirements by health profession accreditation bodies. This will be followed by mental health curriculum development through universities.
What funding is attached to this initiative?
Funding of approximately $5.6 million over 5 years was allocated to this initiative.
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When did the Mental Health in Tertiary Curricula initiative start?
The initiative commenced in mid 2006.
How is the Mental Health in Tertiary Curricula initiative progressing?
Funding has been provided to several health profession accreditation bodies to review their professional accreditation standards in relation to mental health. This will lead to university course content being amended and updated at the time of university course accreditation. A number of universities have been funded to review their undergraduate pre-registration nursing curricula with respect to the mental health content of their nursing degrees, with others funded to develop multidisciplinary training modules for students in allied, nursing and medical degrees.
Further information
Please contact mentalhealthcurricula@health.gov.au.
Page currency, Latest update: 10 May, 2007