The idea for InfraPsych was formed when Dr.Tannenbaum discussed his ideas with a small group of doctors who would then go on to form the steering committee.

Dr. Tannenbaum dreamed of developing a system that would empower patients to manage their own illness better, assist the mental health care system in service delivery and increase the awareness and understanding of mental illnesses. InfraPsych is the result of this vision.

InfraPsych was founded in 1999 by Dr.Dennis Tannenbaum, who has more than twenty years experience working in the field of psychiatry. Dr. Tannenbaum, an Australian psychiatrist, has an extensive background as an internationally respected clinician and researcher in psychiatry, with an impressive record in establishing innovative health care delivery and outcome measurement systems.

The need for InfraPsych

• 1 in 5 people suffer from a mental illness.
• 48% of people with a mental illness do not seek treatment.
• 1 in 10 patients report that they receive quality treatment that effectively reduced their symptoms or resolved their level of dysfunction.
• The cost of disability, due to psychiatric illness, is of major concern to the World Health Organization.
• The market for psychiatric services has expanded due to an increase in prevalence and awareness of mental illnesses.
• Mental health services in all sectors of the economy would be overwhelmed if all people with a mental illness sought treatment. Existing services would have to have major funding increases to deliver the quality services that make a difference.
• People with a mental illness require quality service delivery to maximize their abilities to help themselves understand and monitor their own disorder.
• Patients, their caregivers and health professionals, require up-to-date, succinct information and support, on an ongoing basis.

InfraPsych and Sentiens

InfraPsych used to be our company name, although now it is the name of our mental health systems. The company name is Sentiens Pty Ltd and we are based in West Perth, Western Australia.

• Following its establishment and focus-testing in Australia, InfraPsych will be available in other markets.
• InfraPsych systems will provide a much needed and unique product: a set of tools for patients, caregivers, mental health professionals and treatment systems. This innovative system fits a unique niche.
• InfraPsych offers patients the opportunity to understand their mental health issues and become better equipped to manage and move through treatment systems.
• InfraPsych offers health professionals convenient and innovative ways of working with patients.
• Professionals who use InfraPsych have easy access to current, credible information on disorders, management and treatments.
• Professionals, and their patients, who use InfraPsych, are working together for more informed and empowered patient (and empowered caregivers).
• InfraPsych data will be de-identified and, therefore, useable for continuing education and research.
• The systems are cost effective and facilitate other system efficiencies.

InfraPsych aims to provide a web-based system to better manage mental illnesses. In particular, InfraPsych aims to:

• Enhance healthcare delivery
• Give hope to patients and their caregivers;
• Assist and inform professionals
• Empower the client
• Provide a supporting and respectful environment.

InfraPsych aims to assist the following consumer groups

1. Patients

To assist patients, diagnosed by a medical practitioner as having a mental illness, to access:

• a confidential monitoring resource to manage their progress through evaluation, treatment and follow up;
• questionnaires that can be discussed with your medical practitioner;
  appropriate self help information; and
• access to support, via the web, from a mental health professional.

2. Caregivers

To assist caregivers to better support the people with a mental illness by providing:

• easy to read information about mental illnesses;
• information about strategies and issues involved in treatment;
• information outlining community agencies in the mental health area; and
• support, via the web, for the caregiver from mental health professionals.

3. Professionals (doctors & clinical service providers)

To provide professionals working in the area of mental illness access to:

• succinct, quality information that has been verified by leading psychiatrists; and
• questionnaires and tools to assist with the assessment of patients