Stage 1
The Asia-Pacific Community Mental Health Development (APCMHD) project was established in 2005 to explore diverse leading models and approaches to community mental health service delivery in the Asia-Pacific region. The objective is to illustrate and promote best practice in mental health care in the community through use of information exchange, current evidence and practical experience in the region.
Through regular update meetings in Stage 1 of the project, this unique network contributed to a globally recognized joint publication. The framework of this joint publication was discussed and agreed upon at a consensus meeting of the Project in 2007. Each country representative returned to their own workplaces to assess national policy documents, policy research papers, consult with local services and community agencies and talk with local service providers and service users. Each country then highlighted their best-practice exemplar of community mental health delivery.
The APCMHDP summary report contains:
- Context for countries in the Asia Pacific, including the demographic and cultural context, mental health policy, funding models, facilities and services, workforce (medical and allied health specialties), training and accreditation systems, and the role of private hospitals/ providers.
- Each country’s approach to the recommended mix of services by WHO and how other appropriate international policies are adapted to local situations
- Examples of best practice models of community-based services or care which include:
- Specific local and culturally adapted community services or community care model
- Interaction with primary care and traditional healthcare
- Role of families, NGOs and community agencies
- Successes and difficulties or gaps
- Strategies to overcome gaps
- Inspiration and lessons learnt
- Implications of the findings for countries in Asia Pacific
- The APCMHD network vision for long term goals in community care
The Summary Report was launched at the World Congress of Psychiatry in September 2008 and can be downloaded in the
publications section.
Timelines for Stage One of the APCMHD project:
2005 AAMH and WHO Western Pacific Regional Office initiate the project
2006 Inaugural meeting of the Project group, Perth Australia in May, the First Interim meeting of the Project, Taipei in October
2007 Second Interim meeting of the Project, Seoul in April, consensus meeting of the Project, Project
Symposium, Melbourne in November
2008 Global Launch of Summary Report at the World Congress of Psychiatry, Prague in September, Regional Launch of Summary Report at the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists Conference, Tokyo in October