Equally Well: Showcasing Rural Innovation to Enhance the Physical Health of People with Mental Illness
Tracks
Ballroom B - In Person Only
| Friday, November 11, 2022 |
| 12:12 PM - 12:42 PM |
Overview
Lyn English AM
Speaker
Lyn English AM
Lived Experience Representative
Equally Well: Showcasing Rural Innovation to Enhance the Physical Health of People with Mental Illness
Abstract
Every day in Australia, 30 people experiencing mental illness will die from physical health conditions, most of which are preventable. On average, people living with mental illness have 2.4 times the risk of premature death and die 20 years younger than the rest of the population. In rural and remote communities this increases to 3 times the risk of premature death.
Equally Well uses a national, collective impact approach and seeks to improve the physical health and longevity of people living with mental illness. Equally Well is a priority in The Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan and the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report into Mental Health.
Equally Well has recently conducted a national scan of innovation and best practices to improve the physical health of people living with mental illness.
This presentation will describe and showcase some of the best initiatives from across rural Australia that demonstrate sustainability and excellence in design, delivery and community participation. It will examine their applicability to rural mental health settings, ranging in scale from system-wide approaches to examples of innovation from very small teams and solo-practitioners. A primary focus of this presentation will be to showcase examples of this outstanding practice, and keys to successful implementation that help drive service change and innovation in rural communities.
Key learnings
1. A clear understanding of the impact and challenges around physical health care for people living with mental health issues.
2. Learn about the range of activities that can be successfully implemented in rural communities to improve the physical health of people living with mental illness
3. How to effectively engage a diverse range of rural and remote organisations, services and communities to optimise local coordination and collaboration.
Equally Well uses a national, collective impact approach and seeks to improve the physical health and longevity of people living with mental illness. Equally Well is a priority in The Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan and the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report into Mental Health.
Equally Well has recently conducted a national scan of innovation and best practices to improve the physical health of people living with mental illness.
This presentation will describe and showcase some of the best initiatives from across rural Australia that demonstrate sustainability and excellence in design, delivery and community participation. It will examine their applicability to rural mental health settings, ranging in scale from system-wide approaches to examples of innovation from very small teams and solo-practitioners. A primary focus of this presentation will be to showcase examples of this outstanding practice, and keys to successful implementation that help drive service change and innovation in rural communities.
Key learnings
1. A clear understanding of the impact and challenges around physical health care for people living with mental health issues.
2. Learn about the range of activities that can be successfully implemented in rural communities to improve the physical health of people living with mental illness
3. How to effectively engage a diverse range of rural and remote organisations, services and communities to optimise local coordination and collaboration.
Biography
Originally from Sydney, residing in South Australia for 23 years, 9 years living and working in regional and remote SA. Lived experience role for 6 years with Country Health SALHN Mental Health Services. Chair, SA OCP Lived Experience Advisory Group; MH Coalition SA Board Member: Co-Chair Governance Committee, Urgent Mental Health Care Centre: National Consumer & Carer Forum consumer representative: Equally Well Australia lived experience member.
People with lived experience (including carers/family members) are central to driving mental health reform through leadership, growth of the peer workforce, codesign and inclusion at all levels. A human rights based approach to care is needed to improve experiences and outcomes for consumers and addressing equity and access remains a priority.
My 2020 Australia Day Honour as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia. “For significant service to mental health and consumer support organisations.” is a huge sense of pride.
