The NSW School-Link Training Program: The Impact of Training on Mental Health Service Provision to Adolescents in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

This paper reports on the impact of a structured program of mental health training on the clinical practice of mental health workers in NSW, Australia. The NSW School-Link Training program, comprising four courses to date, has been delivered locally to more than 2000 mental health workers from various agencies over seven years. Participants, who include school and TAFE counsellors and clinicians from health, Juvenile Justice, Community Services and drug and alcohol agencies, report improved inter-agency collaboration and improved clinical skills as a result of the training. Sixty-seven per cent of school counsellors report retaining clients they would previously have referred to other agencies, providing opportunities for specialized mental health services to focus on clients with more severe presentations.

Keywords:

• adolescent mental health; impact on practice
• professional development
• staff development
• mental health training
• school counselor
• school psychologist
• collaborative training