Mental Health Pathways in Practice (MHPiP) Program
Case study
Mental health care education for everyone
Beaver Hudson, Principal Advisor, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing & Midwifery Office shares how Mental Health Pathways in Practice helps staff to feel more empowered, safe and supported; to benefit patient outcomes.
Mental Health Pathways in Practice (MHPiP) demystifies the world of mental health for anyone who works in a health care setting. It encourages health professionals to reflect on their practice against an evidence-based backdrop. This is the first comprehensive workplace-based mental health professional development program in NSW Health. The enrolment, participation, and completion data demonstrates that it's making a significant impact.
This is reflective workplace mental health education at its most progressive. MHPiP isn't merely a collection of online learning modules; it offers a comprehensive pathway that empowers healthcare professionals to deliver quality mental health care, no matter what their role. As participants progress through their pathway, their knowledge of mental health care improves, as does their sense of safety and support in their workplace – and consumers ultimately benefit.
For all health professionals
Don't assume that if you're not a mental health clinician, this program is not for you. It has application for all professionals who have regular or intermittent contact with individuals who experience mental health challenges. This includes staff in emergency departments, generalist nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. Even those in administrative roles, security officers, building services staff, ambulance staff – and non clinical people who work in drug and alcohol services, outpatient departments, and mental health units.
Flexibility that goes further
The beauty of this program lies in its flexibility. It's designed for busy professionals who can access four themed pathways – consisting of 37 modules – as frequently or infrequently as they prefer. Participants can dive into whichever video most interests them, to gain better insight into individual knowledge gaps.
Each video module lasts no more than five minutes. Since the content is consistent, a nurse in Broken Hill can access the same mental health education as a nurse in Hillsborough. This supports NSW Health staff to learn from the same evidence-based perspective for more equitable learning.
While MHPiP enables participants to work at their own pace, this program still counts toward Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and it is mapped to Capability Learning Outcomes and evaluated at a state-wide level. MHPiP is more than a learning platform; it's a flexible toolkit for healthcare professionals.
Learning through experience
Each learning pathway is developed in collaboration with nurses, allied health professionals, medical practitioners, individuals with lived experience, and carer representatives.
Through MHPiP’s video presentations, clinicians share their insights and participants are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences. It's intriguing to learn from experts discussing ethics, values, and their significance in mental health practice. MHPiP certainly fosters a learning journey that encourages critical thinking and the freedom to question established paradigms. It initiates conversations worth having, where everyone learns from one another.
Statistics that showcase success
The program's extensive reach is evident through the completion of over 22,500 learning modules, a staggering achievement.
MHPiP has seen over 11,500 staff members across the NSW Health system utilise this series of learning modules. Its teachings inspire staff to aspire further in their careers. Since 2021, we've observed a remarkable 144% increase in the number of nurses in mental health awarded scholarships for postgraduate study.
This program has the capacity to transform the way health professionals approach mental health care. It's not just a series of online modules; it's a catalyst for positive change.
A shared commitment
I’ve witnessed the transformative power of this program first-hand. MHPiP encourages us to work together, learn from one another, and to do it consistently and with equitability.
Regardless of your role in a health care setting, MHPiP holds valuable insights. MHPiP isn't just a program; it's a shared commitment to better mental health care across NSW.