Australia’s ‘Better Access’ scheme: Has it had an impact on population mental health?

Abstract

Background: Australia introduced the Better Access scheme in late 2006, which resulted in a large increase in the provision of mental health services by general practitioners (GPs), clinical psychologists, other psychologists and allied health professionals. It is unknown whether this increase in services has had an effect on the mental health of the population. Methods: The following data were examined: per capita use of mental health services provided by GPs, clinical psychologists, other psychologists, allied health professionals and psychiatrists from 2006 to 2015 according to the Australian Government Department of Human Services; prevalence of psychological distress in adults (as measured by the K10) from National Health Surveys in 2001, 2004–2005, 2007–2008, 2011–2012 and 2014–2015; and the annual suicide rate from 2001 to 2015 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Results: The large increase in the use of mental health services after the introduction of the Better Access scheme had no detectable effect on the prevalence of very high psychological distress or the suicide rate. Conclusion: Better Access has not had a detectable effect on the mental health of the Australian population.