In 2025, Rural Health West launched a new Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) pilot program to upskill rural GPs in managing mental health and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) presentations within general practice.
Developed in partnership with rural psychiatrists Associate Professor Mathew Coleman and Dr Kelly Ridley, the training responds to a critical need – improving access to timely, quality mental health care in regional and remote communities.
GPs are often the first and sometimes only point of contact for people experiencing mental health challenges in country WA. This new program provides practical, evidence-based tools for early identification, care planning, and referral pathways, ensuring patients receive the right support, closer to home.
The training has been tailored for the rural context and includes perspectives from a carer and a person with lived experience, grounding the content in the realities faced by patients and families. This pilot aims to equip GPs with the confidence and skills to provide safe, proactive care across a range of disciplines.
By investing in workforce development that aligns with community needs, we are strengthening primary care capacity, improving continuity of care, and reducing reliance on hospital and specialist services. The MHST program will be expanded to more locations across WA, ensuring rural GPs are supported to deliver essential mental health care when and where it is needed most.