Training for the mental health workforce: a review of developments in the United Kingdom

Objective: Implementation of the National Mental Health Strategy has import ant implications for education and training of the Australian mental health workforce. This paper discusses relevant developments in the United Kingdo m that may provide some lessons for Australia. Method: A review was undertaken of a number of specific clinical education and training programs for mental health workers in the United Kingdom which have been subjected to published evaluation. Results and conclusions: A finite mental health resource base dictates that education and training activity should: (i) be evaluated; (ii) target thos e clients most in need; (iii) include evidence-based approaches such as ass ertive community treatment, medication management, cognitive-behaviour ther apy and family interventions; and (iv) prepare mental health workers in the core competencies needed to implement these approaches. Two programs, deve loped in the United Kingdom, which meet these criteria are presented as exa mples of best practice: the nurse therapy model established by Isaac Marks; and the Thorn initiative established in association with the Institute of Psychiatry, London and the University of Manchester.