Mental health services planning for G20 summit in Brisbane and assessment of impact

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to inform planning for similar events, our aim was to describe planning undertaken by Brisbane Mental Health Services for the 2014 G20 Summit and the impact of the Summit on service use. Methods: We analysed routinely collected service data comparing presentations and discharges for the same time period in two consecutive years. Results: While presentations to mental health services increased from the previous year across a five-month period (including the month of G20), the week of the G20 Summit showed little change. Conclusions: Our findings will be useful to other services that prepare for major events, such as G20. Our experience shows that, with detailed planning and extra resources, the G20 Summit passed without any major mental health incidents or major increase for mental health presentations.