International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL)
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Background
IIMHL was developed in 2003 by England, USA and New Zealand as a leadership programme. It involved learning exchanges of mental health leaders from these three countries in the reform of mental health systems and services.
IIMHL is funded by a small charge to each country to support two part-time staff (David Robinson and Erin Geaney) who undertake administration and liaison with those on the database and who are based in New Zealand. IIMHL is led by director Fran Silvestri. Janet Peters is also funded by Te Pou to assist with planning, liaison and evaluation.
IIMHL does not fund projects, it facilitates collaboration among groups and the exchange of information.
Approximately every 14-15 months, leaders are placed ("match-maked") for two to three days with "like leaders" from a host country to learn and share experiences, and to form partnerships around further collaboration while working on system reform in their own countries. Some of these partnerships now have a five-year history and focus on such issues as joint research, evaluation, exchanges of staff, and active assistance and support for the development and review of new service models and processes.
This "exchange" is followed by a two-day Network Meeting. In 2010 this will change in format to allow more continuity from the Exchanges and to foster collaboration and learning. A draft programme for 2010 will be available on the IIMHL website when it is completed.
Some key priority areas affecting all countries have been the areas such as funding practices, developing primary mental health, reducing seclusion in inpatient units, indigenous best practice and gathering together an evidence and research base around leadership in mental health.
Key facts
- Seven participating countries - USA, England, New Zealand, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Canada, Australia.
- Over 2000 people listed on the IIMHL database representing: 15 countries and 400 mental health agencies.
Leaders involved in IIMHL
- Chief executives of provider organisations
- Directors of national mental health government departments
- Consumer leaders
- Family leaders
- Leaders of indigenous and ethnic systems
- Clinical leaders
- Funders of national, state, provincial, regional and local health authorities
- Educational, training and research leaders
- Disability leaders
The 2007 IIMHL annual report is available on the IIMHL website.
Two documents are available to provide information about New Zealand participants' experiences of the exchanges. Read them on the IIMHL website here (PDF, 320KB) and here (PDF, 335KB).
Key contacts
Useful links
International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership
Read our question and answer section.
Page last updated: 10 February 2010