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Aim: This paper uses the public record to explore the relationship between reputation damage and suicide. Method: The public record of the last 20 years was examined for examples of individuals without evidence of mental disorder who suffered actual or threatened reputation damage and suicided shortly thereafter. Results: Fifteen individual cases were identified; 18 additional cases, less comprehensively detailed, were mentioned in reports of The Wood Royal Commission and Operation Auxin. All cases were male. Of the 15 individual cases, the average age was 55 years, with a range of 40 to 76 years. The available details of the 18 additional cases were consistent with these findings. Conclusion: Middle-aged males without clear evidence of mental disorder, who suffer actual or threatened reputation damage, may be at increased risk of suicide. Naming and shaming needs to be conducted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Consumer involvement in mental health research is considered both a right and a benefit, despite the identified barriers to forming effective collaborative relationships. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature relating to consumer involvement in mental health research with a view to articulating a model to guide this process. Method: A qualitative review of the relevant literature was undertaken. Literature referring to consumer roles in research was accessed and reviewed with the aim of articulating the benefits of, and barriers to, consumer participation in research. Results: The literature has identified a number of important benefits and some significant barriers to consumer involvement in mental health research. However, a clear model to articulate definitions of involvement is lacking. Four distinct levels of involvement were articulated. Conclusions: The identification of clearly defined models for consumer involvement in mental health research is important in order to facilitate collaboration and avoid tokenism. Research is required in order to determine the applicability of these models within actual research projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our aim was to determine the views and experiences of carers of people with severe mental illness in regard to Community Treatment Orders (CTOs). Method: Questionnaires were posted using the mailing lists of two well-established carer support organisations in Victoria. The questionnaires included information about the person with a mental illness, the carer and their experience of care (ECI) and knowledge of recovery (RKI). Results: In total, 278 questionnaires were sent and 63 returned, of which 62 provided valid data. Those who responded were predominantly female (90%) and older (mean age 63 years), and were the carer of a person with a severe and recurrent mental illness. Some 60% had experience of caring for a person on a CTO. Most felt the CTO had been of benefit, and in 89% the person relapsed and needed further treatment when the CTO was stopped. Conclusion: Mental health legislation is shifting to bring a greater focus on rights, individual choice and autonomy in line with recovery-oriented care. This study describes the impact of severe mental illness and decisions in relation to CTOs on carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the core components of the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre service model as the template agreed with the Australian Federal Government for national upscaling. The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre model of early intervention has two main goals: to reduce the period of time between the onset of psychosis and the commencement of treatment and to bring about symptomatic recovery and restore the normal developmental trajectory as early as possible.Conclusions: The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre comprises three elements of service provision for young people experiencing a first episode of psychosis: (i) early detection; (ii) acute care during and immediately following a crisis; (iii) recovery-focused continuing care, featuring multimodal interventions to enable the young person to maintain or regain their social, academic and/or career trajectory during the critical first 2-5 years following the onset of a psychotic illness. It does this via a combination of 16 core components, which provide a flexible, comprehensive, integrated service that is able to respond quickly, appropriately and consistently to the individual needs of the young person and their family. Innovative service reforms, such as Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, that recognise the value of early intervention are crucial to reducing the impact of serious mental illness on young people and their families and, ultimately, on our society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]