Making a difference: mental health emergency care
For more than a decade, mental health Clinical Nurse Consultant Anita Das has been helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
One of the founding clinicians of Western Sydney Local Health District's Mental Health Acute Assessment Team (MHAAT), Anita has been part of the service since its inception in 2013, delivering specialist mental health care directly to people experiencing a mental health crisis in the community.
Working alongside a specially trained NSW Ambulance paramedics, Anita responds directly to mental health emergency 000 calls in the community. The partnership brings together complementary expertise, ensuring people in crisis receive both immediate medical assessment and specialist mental health support.
While the paramedic focuses on the person's physical health needs, Anita draws on her extensive mental health clinical experience to understand the broader picture.
She reviews mental health histories, considers current treatment plans, connects with existing care providers and support networks, and helps determine the most appropriate pathway for ongoing care.
"The strength of this model is that we're able to look beyond the immediate crisis and understand the whole person," Anita said.
The holistic approach means not every person requires hospital care. In many cases, Anita and her paramedic colleague can connect people with acute follow up teams, community-based services, family supports or other mental health resources that enable them to remain safely in the community with appropriate follow up.
When hospital care is needed, the team helps ensure people are connected to the right service, reducing delays and improving continuity of care.
Recognising the benefits of the MHAAT model, the NSW Government announced funding to expand health-led responses to mental health emergencies across New South Wales. The funding will establish a statewide Virtual Mental Health Hub within NSW Ambulance commence centre and eight Mental Health Acute Assessment Teams in areas of high need.
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson met with the Western Sydney MHAAT staff and said the new approach would help ensure people experiencing a mental health emergency receive the right care at the right time
“Our goal is simple; increase access to mental health care, improve outcomes for affected individuals, reduce pressure on our hospital emergency departments, and reduce stigma when it comes to asking for help across the community,” the Minister said.
For Anita, the announcement represents more support for people in need in the community.
"For me personally, this model is about delivering the right care, at the right time, where people need it most.”
Western Sydney Local Health District is proud to continue its partnership with NSW Ambulance and to see a model pioneered in Western Sydney helping shape the future of mental health emergency care across the state.
