Indigenous Australians continue to be over-represented in mental health care across the nation, and particularly in Alice Springs due to the much higher population of Indigenous Australians in and around Alice Springs. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more Indigenous than non-Indigenous patients are unwell and occupy more beds at any given time. However busy in-patient units like the one in Alice Springs are at a risk of concentrating on acute care and neglecting relapse prevention activities and culturally appropriate care, despite relapse being a major contributing factor to the high burden of disability in mental illness. At the same time relapse prevention is a key objective of the National Mental Health Policy (2008). Central Australian Mental Health Services play a vital role in providing services to a vast area but research on the activities of the in-patient unit in Alice Springs has never been done. Little is known about relapse prevention activities by the in-patient unit and its effectiveness.

The aim of the project is to investigate the quality of care provided to Indigenous patients by the Mental Health Unit in Alice Springs. The objectives of the research are to explore the following questions:
-    Does the in-patient unit deal with relapse prevention and culturally appropriate care?
-    What is the involvement of Aboriginal Mental Health Worker(s) in the care if Indigenous patients in the Mental Health Unit?

The first stage of the project will involve retrospective analysis of case notes to determine the quality of care provided as indicated through documentation in files. Files of clients will be reviewed over the years 2001-2010 to provide an initial indication of the quality of care and identify any historical changes in relapse prevention activities. Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous files will be audited for comparison. The increased knowledge will give the opportunity to improve patients’ care which will potentially lead to the prevention of relapse or reduce the number of relapses which in turn will result in the reduction of admissions in a Mental Health Unit already filled to capacity.

Josephien started her nursing career in 2006 when she participated in the Graduate Nurse Program in the Alice Springs Hospital. In 2007 Josephien worked as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and investigated registered nurses’ experiences and perceptions of the provision of oral care in the intensive care unit for her Honours degree. In the same year Josephien decided to specialize in psychiatric nursing and commenced employment at Central Australian Mental Health Services. Since 2009 Josephien is employed as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Mental health Unit.