This is a collaboration between Pola Practice and North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) that is piloting the delivery of a culturally responsive training and supervision program with a select group of CAREinMIND clinicians. The intention is to understand how the program improves clinicians’ confidence and capability to deliver culturally responsive care.

NWMPHN has partnered with Pola Practice (as experts in culturally responsive practice) to deliver 2 key activities:

1. Implementation of the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool within their Culturally Responsive Intake Process; and

2. To co-design and deliver a culturally responsive training and supervision program.

As part of the pilot, we will be providing 15 eligible participants up to 12 free therapy sessions with the CAREinMIND™ clinicians who have completed the culturally responsive training and supervision program. These clinicians will also be participating in supervision and reflective practice with Pola Practice in the initial phase of service delivery.

What services are available?

The CAREinMIND™ clinicians participating in this pilot can deliver up to 12 sessions of psychological support to people experiencing mild to moderate mental illness.

Who is eligible for the program?

You need to meet the eligibility criteria for the CAREinMIND™ service in order to participate in this pilot. CAREinMIND™ can provide free mental health services for people who:

• Cannot afford (or are ineligible for) other local services

• Are experiencing mental health stress from mild to severe

• Live, work or study in north western Melbourne area [CB1] 

Other eligibility criteria includes:

• 18+ years old

• [CB2] Willingness to engage in intake and be allocated to a therapist who is part of the pilot program 

We encourage people with diverse and intersectional backgrounds:

• First Nations people

• People living with a disability

• People who have experienced institutionalisation

• 1st generation migrants (Humanitarian and Economic),

• Those part of the LGBTIA+ community

• Those who may sit across many of these groups.

What does participation involve?

Participation will involve:

• 60 minute intake session with Pola Practice

• Personalised matching to a therapist in the pilot program

• Up to 12 sessions of free therapy through the CAREinMIND™ service with a clinician who has completed the culturally responsive training program and will be working with a supervisor from Pola Practice throughout initial stages of service delivery.[CB3] 

• Contributions to the evaluation of the pilot. This will involve an interview with an external evaluation facilitator (from NWMPHN, independent from the clinician or Pola Practice) to learn about your experience of care with your clinician.