The benefits of integrating mental health into primary healthcare are significant. On the one hand, integration ensures that the population as a whole has access to the mental healthcare that they need early in the course of problems and without disruption. On the other hand, when people receive treatment in primary healthcare facilities the likelihood of better health outcomes, and even full recovery, as well as maintained social integration is increased. Our presenters will draw on their own experience of the benefits of developing comprehensive primary mental health support.
Course Content
Presenter
Livewell Southwest South West
Dr Alison Battersby is a Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist with a subspecialty interest in addictions. She works for Livewell Southwest in Plymouth and is the Lead Consultant for the Community Mental Health Teams there.
As part of her role within Livewell she provides mental health support and advice to the Broadreach group of rehabilitation services. She remains passionate about her specialty. Whilst there are inevitably challenges ahead, she believes that together with our service users we can influence how future care is delivered for the better.
WHO, Palestine
Rajiah Abu Sway is the Mental Health Officer at the World Health Organization in occupied Palestinian territory since 2003. She is managing the Mental Health and the Psychosocial Program, technically and operationally. With over 19 years of experience in Mental Health system development in Palestine, Rajiah is working on national strategies, professional capacity-building and supporting the implementation of rehabilitation programs including MHPSS emergency response and mhGAP at Health facilities. She has also been supporting community-based organizations in developing advocacy and awareness programs.
Rajiah holds a MA in Psychotherapy/Art therapy from the European Graduate School, Switzerland and a BA in Psychology from Birzeit University in Palestine. In addition, a high diploma in Intermodal Expressive Art Therapy from the International School for Interdisciplinary Studies, Tel Aviv and a course in criminology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Plymouth, UK
Sara is both a qualified and registered MH Nurse, she has a masters degree in management and leadership and post graduate clinical diploma in cognitive behaviour therapy.
Sara worked at the Maudsley in setting up a clinical trial in cognitive behaviour therapy until 2002 when she returned to a clinical role as Matron. Subsequently Sara has held a number of management roles.
Sara’s career in Mental Health services has been extensive and wide-reaching; in 2014 Sara secured the post of Deputy Director of Operations.
Sara currently holds the Mental Health brief within Devon’s Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP), working with colleagues across the health and social care system with a particular focus on Mental Health services at Primary Care level.
In April 2018 Sara was appointed as Associate Director and Strategic Mental Health Lead for Livewell Southwest.
Sara is ensuring that Livewell’s services are in line with national and regional priorities yet remain locally responsive. Her outstanding work to date means she is a trusted senior leader who will be able to build on the recent positive system-wide CQC review and drive the essential further integration of Physical and Mental Health services.
