Patients find mental health coaching over the phone rings true

A new program could improve the health of up to 450,000 Australians, says Flinders University Professor Michael Baigent.

Sam Daddo, 21 at his home in Hazelwood, Victoria. Sam has struggled with anxiety for much of his life. He has recently been through a six week telephone-based program for people with low intensity psychological issues Picture: David Geraghty

When 21-year-old apprentice chef Sam Daddo previously sought the help of psychologists for his an­xiety, the process itself created substantial ­distress.

“I found it very daunting to go into their office and sit there face-to-face and open up about things,” Mr Daddo said. “It’s intimidating even to be in the waiting room.”

But a low-intensity mental health coaching program designed for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression delivered over the phone by non-psychologists has given Mr Daddo a fresh lease on life.

“Anxiety has been an issue most of my life. I’d avoid doing anything to stop myself from having an attack. I stopped going out to places for a while,” he said.

“Before this program I was in a bad place, very down, but now I’m a lot more positive and came away with a lot more tools to keep my anxiety in line.”

The program, known as NewAccess and developed by Beyond Blue, could improve the health of up to 450,000 Australians, says Flinders University Professor ­Michael Baigent, who recently evaluated the program in a paper that was published in the Journal of Mental Health.

Professor Baigent said the ­results of an observational study of nearly 4000 participants showed 70 per cent reported a significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms.

“At a time when demand for mental health support is growing, these research findings make a strong case for the immediate, widespread rollout of evidence-based low intensity services such as NewAccess,” said Professor Baigent, who is also a board director of Beyond Blue.

Last year in its draft mental health report the Productivity Commission estimated that up to 450,000 people in Australia may be better off receiving support through low-intensity programs than through full-scale clinical ones. NewAccess provides six sessions, free of charge, with a coach trained in low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy. It doesn’t ­require a GP referral.

Professor Baigent said the program bridges a gap in treatment options for GPs between referring a patient into a full mental health treatment plan and simply prescribing antidepressants.

And because it is delivered over the phone, it is a more equitable program in terms of access for those living in regional areas.

“A phone-based program ­reduces stigma, and it can be a far less threatening experience,” he said.

“The thing about being on a phone is that you don’t feel as vulnerable, you are more willing to talk directly.

“There’s a directness bringing about efficiency that is sometimes not there face-to-face.”

Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman said creating a new workforce of mental health coaches for people with mild or moderate issues would allow other mental health professionals to focus on supporting people with more complex needs.

“Low intensity supports simplify access, reduce the cost of treatment and overcome the ­social stigma that for many people persists around support-seeking,” Ms Harman said.