Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Monday, September 28, 2009

Approach to treatment of mental illness and substance dependence in remote Indigenous communities: results of a mixed methods study
Australian Journal of Rural Health;17(4):174-182

To develop and evaluate a culturally adapted brief intervention for Indigenous people with chronic mental illness.

Psycho-education resources and a brief intervention, motivational care planning (MCP), were developed and tested in collaboration with aboriginal mental health workers in three remote communities in northern Australia.

Random effects regression analyses showed significant advantage for the treatment condition in terms of well-being with changes in health of the nation outcome scales and Kessler 10 , which were sustained over time. There was also significant advantage for treatment for alcohol dependence, with response also evident in cannabis dependence and with changes in substance dependence sustained over time.

These results suggest that MCP is an effective treatment for Indigenous people with mental illness and provide insight into the experience of mental illness in remote communities.


Request Reprint E-Mail: tricia.nagel@menzies.edu.au

___________________________________________________________
at