Mental health and addiction professional development and training options for primary health care practitioners

Publication date: 30 June 2015

Health professionals working in primary care play an essential role in identifying and managing common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, and issues with alcohol and other drugs. In addition, general practice has increasingly been picking up responsibility for managing the needs of people with more serious and complex mental health and addiction problems, who have been referred from mental health and addiction services.

This booklet provides an overview of most of the professional development options available to support GPs and primary care nurses around New Zealand. Many of the training options outlined are available online, or through distance learning. There may be other options available in your area.