International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL)
About The Program
The International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) is an international collaboration between nine countries (Australia, England, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, USA and Sweden) which focuses on improving mental health and addiction services. IIMHL provides a platform for international innovation sharing, networking and problem solving across countries and agencies. Since 2013, IIMHL has undertaken 13 Leadership Exchanges to encourage dialogue and collaboration among experts of participating countries to support best practice within mental health, addiction, and disability services. Led by Harold A. Pincus, MD, at Columbia University in New York, the project “Measuring Quality of Mental Health Care: An International Comparison” was initiated by a group of clinical experts under the auspices of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL).
Collaboration Aims
The project aims to raise awareness amongst clinicians and policymakers regarding the quality of care of mental health systems and, ultimately, to be able to compare system performance across countries to inform initiatives for transformation of mental health services. Participating countries include Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, and the United States. IIMHL member countries have undertaken a targeted analysis of definitions of and available data for a selected list of previously identified top rated mental health indicators with the ultimate aim of benchmarking. During Leadership Exchanges, which take place every 18 months, members of the Metrics Group regularly present and discuss measurement and analytic strategies they have employed to tackle issues within their respective health systems and outcomes that have been achieved.
