Response to the Consultation Draft - Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan - 9th November 2021

The National Mental Health Commission (the Commission) supports the use of safe, quality telehealth and virtual mental health care in the clinical support of people with a mental illness and the need for further development of the evidence base. As previously stated in our response to recommendations of the Primary Care Taskforce Report, the Commission encourages primary care to grow its knowledge of how to suggest and support low intensity mental health care approaches, and in particular how telehealth approaches might be blended with face to face for those who prefer this approach. This should include consideration of user experience, in terms of the usability of the program and the experience of utilising digital healthcare on mental health outcomes, general wellbeing and welfare. Tighter guidance around best practice for mental health service providers and developers is also required.