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Better Outcomes
We have many mental health events coming up before the end of the year, please check the Portal
http://apps.goldhealth.net.au/ for more information. I encourage GPs to attend the Level 1 Training full-day event that has been tentatively booked for Saturday 14 November 2009. The number of Better Outcomes referrals has increased since July 2009 and I would like to thank all GPs for supporting this program.
As of July 2009, we have received 6 new referrals from the Esperance GPs and 81 new referrals from the Kalgoorlie GPs.
National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI)
The waiting list issue has been resolved and we are confident that this should not pose a problem in the future. Nicole Wade and I will be presenting, on the NPDI program, at the Rural & Remote Mental Health Conference in November. An event has been arranged for Thursday 5th November to discuss the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, which I urge GPs to attend. Please check the Portal for more information.
Lee Luttig—Project Officer for Better Outcomes in Mental Health
The Rural and Remote Team 1 are currently on its ninth rotation. Service within each town is determined on need. Towns such as Laverton, Leonora, and Southern Cross have seen increases in referrals. These have been accommodated by extending overnight stays within each area. The team continue to create awareness of the service through education sessions such as “Yarning Groups”, promotional material, networks between GP’s, local services and community.
‘Yarning session’ continue to be well received and supported with themes of healthy eating incorporated into exploration of relevant mental health concerns like the effects of stress, depression and anxiety. Activities such as the soap, and bush cream sessions, have been included to incorporate mental health themes of stress management and to encourage relaxation.|
Val Williams, Bernadette Pomone & Yasmin Sambo
- Mental Health Services Remote Team One
The Rural and Remote Mental Health Team 2 travels to the Ngaanyatjarra (Ng) Lands for 12 days in a 28 day cycle, visiting communities on a travelling roster. The team has completed four cycles with a Senior Mental Health Social Worker and a male Aboriginal Mental Health Worker. We are currently recruiting for a female Aboriginal Mental Health Worker. We receive new referrals and make numerous community contacts each trip.
The NG Lands communities have no real history of mental health service provision. Challenges to communication, confidentiality and providing culturally relevant treatment are ongoing. Developing good relationships, appropriate models of care and a consistent referral process is a continual focus.
Some of the Team’s aims are:
- Provide ongoing monitoring and support for clients returning to community from psychiatric facility (i.e. Alice Springs or Kalgoorlie).
- Provide support and preventative health strategies for people referred by self, workers, Community Elders and family members, GP’s and other organisations.
- Helping initiate ‘yarning groups’ in communities to address mental health concerns and emotional and social wellbeing.
- Supporting workers in communities with information-sharing about case management, medication etc.
- Non-acute cases with more traditional people are often referred to the Aboriginal Mental Health Workers.|
Barry Clements & Michael McGuinness - Mental Health Services Remote Team Two
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