In his opening address to the 2019 BPD Foundation conference, Minister Foley spoke of the ‘tide of change” that is coming and the partnership between Spectrum and the State Government to conduct the PDI Program to help to build the capability and expertise of the clinical Mental health workforce which is being rolled out in six health services. By building the skill and competency of clinicians to provide effective treatment of people with BPD it is hoped that they will be able to help increase awareness of and improve understanding of Personality Disorders and also to help to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Minister Foley spoke of the opportunity to make a difference and all join together on a journey of reform and change. The Government has an aspirational rate of zero suicides in Victoria due to BPD and it is hoped that the PDI Program will long term assist with reaching this goal.
“This initiative will ensure people who have a personality disorder and are struggling with their mental health can get care which is compassionate, responsive and ongoing.”
The Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. Martin Foley - Friday 9th August 2019 Media Release
The Personality Disorder Initiative (PDI) team consisting of PDI Clinical Specialists and PDI Psychiatrists from the six Area Mental Health Services plus Spectrum clinicians and project staff. Spectrum is providing a structured training and development program for these Area Mental Health Service clinicians.
Victorians living with a severe personality disorder will soon have better access to the ongoing care and support they need, thanks to a new initiative from the Andrews Labor government.
The Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley has announced almost $10 million in funding over four years for the Personality Disorder Initiative (PDI), which is now being delivered at six Victorian mental health services including Alfred, Monash, Melbourne, Barwon, Goulburn Valley Health Services and Forensicare.
This program will help these services assess, treat and support people with severe personality disorders at high risk of suicide, self-harm and or challenging behaviours.
It will also build the expertise and capability of the mental health workforce, creating positions for clinicians known as Specialist Personality Disorder Clinicians.
The Area Mental Health Services involved and Forensicare are offering the program in partnership with Victoria’s state-wide specialist personality disorder service, Spectrum. The Labor government has invested almost $10 million over four years to support the program.
The Labor government has also established Victoria’s first Royal Commission into Mental Health, which will map out a plan of action that drives major changes to Victoria’s mental health services to support all Victorians with mental illness.
It will deliver an interim report in November 2019, followed by the final report in October 2020. The Labor government has committed to implementing all the royal commission’s recommendations.
“This initiative will ensure people who have a personality disorder and are struggling with their mental health can get care which is compassionate, responsive and ongoing,” Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley said.
“We all have a role to play in creating a mentally healthy community—one that is inclusive and supports recovery and programs like this help make that happen.
“We are ensuring that Victorians with complex needs don’t fall through the cracks. The Royal Commission will prompt the most significant reform of our mental health system Victoria has ever seen.”
Spectrum acknowledges the traditional owners of the land upon which our health service is built, the Wurundjeri People, part of the Kulin Nation, and pays our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Spectrum strives to be an inclusive healthcare service and welcomes everyone.
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