Projects

COVID-19 provided a catalyst for rethinking the way mental health services are delivered. All elements of the mental health service system were required to develop new solutions for models of care and the challenges of a significant reduction in face-to-face service delivery.

QAMH, in partnership with Health Consumers Queensland, Metro South Addictions and Mental Health Services and Brisbane South PHN, investigated the specific impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing sector.

Key findings included:

• The effective use of technology was key to implementing service delivery changes – enabling choice, improving access and facilitating social connections.
• While the use of technology to deliver virtual services was a welcome addition, there was still a strong preference for face-to-face service delivery.
• Difficulties in virtual service delivery included privacy, confidentiality, difficulty in building trust and rapport, variable levels of digital literacy and access to technology.