ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides direction to further learning, and exploration. It offers guidance on strategy development, policies and procedure, as a means of learning more, and developing new concepts, for those new to this area of expertise. The book concentrates on the specific needs of the professional on whom we rely totally when bringing about effective service improvements and developments. It emphasises the need to acknowledge the rights of the individual to be treated as a human being, cared for by other human beings, and describes what we need to know about mental health and the legal considerations. The book explores what is relevant and important to the individual, the family and the carers. The book describes the actions taken in Australia to developing a rural service and explains the importance of education and training.
