Introduction to National Standards for the Mental Health Workforce

This chapter describes what is required as a professional practitioner working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health, with regard to the principles, standards and practice frameworks that contribute to the capacity and empowerment of practitioners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, families and communities. The National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce 2013 (the practice standards) are intended for the five professions that contribute significantly to the mental health workforce: mental health nursing, occupational therapy, psychiatry, psychology and social work. These standards are equally relevant for a range of other practitioners including Aboriginal health workers and mental health workers and social and emotional wellbeing workers. This chapter briefly describes how each of the chapters in Part 3: Standards, Principles and Practice embody the key practice standards that are of particular relevance to mental health and other practitioners working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health. In addition the chapter also discusses the National Standards for Mental Health Services 2010 (service standards) and how the effective implementation and integration of the national standards for services and practitioners can ensure the provision of culturally competent mental health services.