HealthTalk-Equally Well. (2020-2022)
Funding
National Mental Health Commission,$120,000
Investigators/ researchers
Professor Russell Roberts
Research Theme
Rural and Regional Communities
Description
This project is in collaboration with RMIT University’s Social and Global Studies Centre who are leading the project. It builds on the current Equally Well project.
The project aims to address the gaps in research and online provision of resources addressing experiences of mental health and physical health using the proven Healthtalk methodology. The qualitative methodology underpinning the project was developed by the University of Oxford Health Experiences Research Group (HERG) and modified for the Australian context by Professor Renata Kokanović, who has used it to produce an online repository of Australian health information resources.
Healthtalk Australia details, among other health issues, experiences of severe mental illness and supported decision-making, of family carers of people diagnosed with severe mental illness, of depression and recovery, and of perinatal depression and anxiety.
The aims of this project are to:
- examine experiences of physical health and mental health among a diverse sample of people living in Australia
- create a publicly available, uniquely Australian health experience online resource aimed at informing and supporting people with lived experiences of mental and physical health issues, their partners and families, and informing and educating health professionals, service providers, policy-makers and the wider community.
The online resource (and any other resources developed pending additional funding) will support the NSW Lived Experience Framework through promoting a better understanding of the lived experience of physical health of mental health consumers, including attempts to improve physical health, experiences of physical health supports and care, and the identification of needed support and care to support better physical health outcomes.
This focus on lived experience will help general health services and mental health services prioritise the physical health of mental health consumers and adopt person-centred care.
Outcomes
The expected outcome of this project is better physical health outcomes for people experiencing mental health issues.
Contact
Professor Russell Roberts
Bathurst campus
August 2020