Terminology

Terminology

Glossary of terms

Where appropriate, glossary definitions from external sources have been adapted to fit the context of the Mental health training standards 2026–28.

Term or phrase	GPMHSC definition
Accreditation	The successful outcome of adjudication by the GPMHSC Committee.
Adjudication	The process by which the GPMHSC Committee reviews a training provider’s application for accreditation of a course.
Carer	A person who provides, or has provided, ongoing personal care, support, advocacy and/or assistance to a person with a mental illness, in a non-professional role. Receiving government or Centrelink benefit payments (such as a carer payment or allowance) does not exclude a person from being considered a carer.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)	A focused approach that is based on the concept that thoughts influence feelings and behaviours, and that subsequent behaviours and emotions can influence cognitions.
Consumer	A person who has personal experience of mental illness and of their recovery journey, and who has accessed mental health services.
Continuing professional development	The means by which members of a profession maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives.
Course content	The educational content, specific to relevant learning outcomes, that training providers need to deliver in a course accredited by the GPMHSC.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)	A brief, structured approach that addresses interpersonal issues. The underlying assumption of IPT is that causes of depression and psychological distress can often be traced to aspects of the patient’s social functioning (relationships and social roles).
Learning outcomes	What learners or participants will be able to demonstrate after completing GPMHSC-accredited training.
Medicare	Also known as Services Australia (Medicare).
Mental disorder	The term used by the Better Access initiative to refer to mental illness. See Mental illness.
Mental illness	A clinically diagnosable disorder, subjectively experienced by a person, significantly interfering with their cognitive, emotional or social abilities.
Personal lived experience	First-hand experiences and perspectives gained from those experiences of mental health challenges, the use of services, diagnosis and recovery.
Pre-adjudication	The process by which the GPMHSC Secretariat reviews a training provider’s application for accreditation.
Predisposing component	Mandatory educational component of a course that participants complete before the delivery of the course. Examples include reading articles and pre-course surveys.
Reinforcing component	Mandatory educational component of a course that participants complete after the delivery of the course, which consolidates the participant’s learning. Examples include follow-up surveys and discussions on implemented changes or improvements in practice.
Skills training	The specific knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes required to access, manage and provide ongoing mental health care in the context of general practice, either through preparing GP MHTPs and/or providing FPS.
Structured interactive learning	A highly interactive course (delivered face-to-face or via e-learning) that focuses on participant engagement and active learning.
Trauma informed care	Trauma-informed care is an approach to healthcare that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and integrates this understanding into practice, aiming to create safe, supportive environments that avoid re-traumatisation and promote healing8

 

Abbreviations

Abbreviation	GPMHSC definition
ACRRM	Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
APS	Australian Psychological Society
Better Access initiative	Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS
CALD	culturally and linguistically diverse
CBT	cognitive behaviour therapy
CPD	continuing professional development
DoH	Department of Health
FPS	Focussed Psychological Strategies
FPS CPD	Focussed Psychological Strategies Continuing Professional Development
FPS ST	Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training
Framework	General Practice Mental Health Training Framework
GP	general practitioner
GPMHSC	General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration
GP MHTP	General Practice Mental Health Treatment Plan
ICD-10 ICD-11	International classification of diseases, 10th revision International classification of diseases, 11th revision
IPT	interpersonal therapy
MBS	Medicare Benefits Schedule
MHA	Mental Health Australia
MH CPD	Mental Health Continuing Professional Development
MHST	Mental Health Skills Training
PDP	Professional Development Program
PHN	Primary Health Network
RACGP	The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
RANZCP	Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
TIC	Trauma Informed Care