Who is involved

Neami National and University of Western Australia

Project status

Current

In a health care environment that has historically struggled to find effective or sustainable alternatives to overly relying on acute and crisis mental health care, the Step Up Step Down model has emerged as a potentially valuable option in a system of care (Thomas & Rickwood, 2013).

Western Australia’s first step-up, step-down mental health service opened in Joondalup in 2013 with 22 beds. However, as a relatively new model of care there is as yet limited evidence around its impact and value. In a frequently changing mental health services landscape an understanding of the impact of this service model in terms of its value to local health service systems and service user recovery outcomes may support its sustainability (Johnson et al., 2009; Byford et al., 2010; Morant et al., 2012).

Neami researchers are partnering with University of Western Australia Research Fellow Dr Hanh Ngo to undertake an evaluation of the Joondalup Mental Health Step Up Step Down (JMHSS) service. Dr Ngo will contribute as an independent data analysis to assist Neami with objectively evaluating the JMHSS.

The study will utilize a mixed methods design triangulating qualitative and quantitative data with the inclusion of an economic analysis. It will be undertaken by means of a series of manageable components that can provide some early results along with room for making methodological decisions for additional components depending on early findings. A consumer participation think tank and additional consumer and staff steering group will:

• Review results and provide insight towards interpretation of results

• Support how the findings of the study can be effectively shared

• Make recommendations for 1) translation into practice and 2) further areas for enquiry