title: The Role of the Mental Health Worker in a Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative for Indigenous Australians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of mental health workers and perceptions of their role and the scope of their work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative design. Twenty interviews were conducted with mental health workers. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three overarching themes were identified. In this paper the overarching theme of "dimensions of my role" is discussed. Subthemes were (a) information and education, (b) person-centered care, and (c) networking and partnerships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Professional development, networking, and partnerships underpin the provision of coordinated services and ultimately person-centered care. Enhancing staff capacity building may also enable sustainability of appropriate quality services.
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jan Maree
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sayers
authors.affiliation: Professor, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cleary
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Glenn E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, School of Computing and Mathematics, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Oliver K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Burmeister
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009517:New South Wales; D011638:Public Housing; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Mental health, Indigenous Australian; mental health worker; recovery; role; role theory; symbolic interactionism