NMHSRP overview

The National Mental Health Seclusion and Restraint Project is a collaborative initiative between the Australian Government and State and Territory Governments.

It aims to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the use of seclusion and restraint in public mental health services. This is a statement of outcome in line with the National Safety Priorities in Mental Health: a National Plan for Reducing Harm.

Operationally, the Project will develop and test resources that can be used to support long term change in workforce culture and practice leading to reduced use of seclusion and restraint.

The Project comprises three parts:

1. National Documentation Project - This part aims to support, expedite and expand work already started by the Safety and Quality in Mental Health Partnership Subcommittee Seclusion and Restraint Working Party (SRWP) through the establishment of a Community of Practice (CoP), and by developing and piloting data standards and performance indicators.
2. Beacon Demonstration Sites Project - Eleven sites, with relevant jurisdiction support, are developing and implementing best practice. They aim to become centers of excellence in relation to the reduction and, where possible, the elimination of seclusion and restraint.

   Download:

   List of Beacon Demonstration Sites (PDF File - 8k)

3. Scholarships to undertake a study tour of the United States of America - The scholarships aim to identify evidence based best practice occurring in the USA and enable adaptation of this to Australian conditions.

A National Forum was held in Melbourne on 15 May 2008 to share learnings from the Project to a wider national stakeholder audience. Documentation from the National Forum can be found in the Resource Section (brown link button on left hand side).