MENTAL HEALTH

Introduction
ADHB recognises that mental health services are about improving mental health outcomes by enhancing the quality of mental health services, with particular focus on the continuum of integrating care and not focusing on the provision of hospital focused services alone.  As such, areas of work include community and rehabilitation services. Health cannot address all mental illness needs alone and as such there are close links with employment services, accommodation and capacity and skill development programmes.

Contact: Robert Ford, Manager Mental Health
09 630 9943 x 29005, 021 985 965 RobertFord@adhb.govt.nz

Auckland District Health Board is implementing a range of improvements to its Mental Health and Addiction Services for non-heterosexual people after a report identified some barriers to treatment for rainbow communities.  The DHB commissioned experienced mental health professionals Anna Birkenhead and Diana Rands to identify the ways in which it could improve access to mental health and addiction services for rainbow communities, a term which includes gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

As a result of the report, which recommended better training for staff and improved advocacy for rainbow people, new guidelines and training tools have been created and a role established to provide support for people from these communities.  The new set of best-practice guidelines has been established to create a more inclusive environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities; ensure “rainbow-sensitive” practices by creating an audit tool and “quick guide” for staff; and support the development of inclusive policies and procedures.

They will be used by in-house staff and on a voluntary basis by contracted NGO service providers.  In addition, a new role will be trialled to help facilitate access to mental health treatment and support services for rainbow people, with the intention of creating a permanent position when the trial ends in June.   The report, entitled Let’s Talk About Sex (sexuality and gender), found gaps in the “cultural competency” of clinicians and health professionals working with rainbow service users, and a lack of policies and procedures to guide their interactions with rainbow people.   

Robert Ford, ADHB’s Planning and Funding Manager for Mental Health, says the report highlighted the need to create a welcoming environment in which issues of sexual orientation and gender identity matter.

“It’s our job to ensure we are adequately supporting the 25 per cent of our users who identify as part of the rainbow communities and have a different perspective,” says Mr Ford.   “We are committed to improving our service levels for rainbow people, and we’re grateful to Anna and Diana for this invaluable assistance to improve the delivery of our services to these communities.”

Ms Rands and Ms Birkenhead says people from the rainbow community often face harassment, bullying and alienation from family and friends, and are therefore at greater risk of developing mental health or addiction problems.   “There can be significant barriers and obstacles to the provision of effective services, due to sexual orientation and gender identity issues not being identified and discussed,” they say.

“The onus is on the service user to start the conversation, and often it won’t happen if they fear discrimination or prejudice, or simply a lack of understanding.”

Best Practice Guidelines

Lets talk about sex....

Clinicians pocket guide

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Anna Birkenhead is an experienced mental health clinician-nurse, and Diana Rands is a trainer and facilitator in the addictions field, including as the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) project coordinator at Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) Auckland.