title: The Koorie Men's Health Day: an innovative model for early detection of mental illness among rural Aboriginal men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the design, implementation and outcomes of an innovative model for the early detection of mental illness among rural Aboriginal men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a collaborative effort between a University' Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, an Aboriginal organisation and a regional mental health service, an all-male team was set up which consisted of a doctor, a mental health nurse and four key individuals from the local Aboriginal community. Invitations to attend a Koorie Men's Health Day were distributed via flyers and posters. Using an assembly line technique and avoiding any reference to the term 'mental', all participants underwent a complete medical examination, a blood test for diabetes and a psychological assessment using the Kessler-10 schedule.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The event was attended by 20 men. Of the 17 participants whose data were available, seven scored significantly (25 or higher) on the psychological assessment and were offered follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When conducted on a regular basis, the Koorie Men's Health Day could be a useful method for the early detection of mental illness among rural Aboriginal men in Australia. Further research is needed to study the feasibility and sustainability of the model in different settings.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Indigenous Health Unit, Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, Moe, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.forename: Berwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lampitt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018579:Patient Selection; D010808:Physical Examination; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014739:Victoria; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aboriginal; Australia; Koorie; community mental health; community networks; health services; indigenous; men; mental health; screening model