Mental healthcare in the Australian context

Throughout Australia and the world, mental health problems are common. As a consequence, mental health knowledge and skills are necessary for all areas of nursing practice. People with mental health issues are everywhere. Mental health problems are widespread throughout the general community (1:5 people) and are even more common within the general healthcare system. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting and nursing people who have a mental illness in environments such as the emergency department, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Services (ATODS), surgical and medical units, critical care units, maternity, outpatients, day surgery, baby health clinics, GP surgeries, paediatrics, community health, sexual health clinics and x-ray departments.