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The Rural and Remote Mental Health team was implemented at the Goldfields Esperance GP Network as part of an initiative to increase allied and nursing mental health services for people in rural and remote areas. The initiative, the “Mental Health Services in Rural and Remote Areas” measure, occurred through consultation between the Australian Government Dept. of Health and Ageing and the WA Dept. of Health.
The team is currently comprised of a Psychologist and two Aboriginal Mental Health Workers.
The Kalgoorlie based Rural and Remote Mental Health team delivers mental health services on a rostered monthly basis to Norseman, Southern Cross, Leonora, Laverton, Leinster and Coonana. Provision of service encompasses a range of social and emotional issues as well as individual, couple and group interventions with a flexible delivery approach.
The team works in collaboration with GPs, and in consultation with local Shires, Councillors, DCD, Justice Department, Population Health and other community organisations and key stakeholders to determine relevant mental health priorities specific to the area and provide referrals to the team if appropriate. Future development will aim at the incorporation of an electronic referral service for ease of access by GP’s.
Services provided by the team are free, to inhabitants of rural and remote areas and encompass a wide range of populations.
The Rural and Remote Mental Health team aims to facilitate an integrated approach to health by working in partnership with and enhancing the provision of allied services such as Podiatry, Dietetics, Physiotherapy and Better Outcomes in Mental Health.
The team aims to raise community support by involvement in forums and workshops aimed at promoting mental health services for diverse communities and increase support and information for mental health consumers, their families and carers.
This is a FREE service!
For appointment please email: mahs@goldhealth.net.au
Or contact: Ms Bernadette Pomone, team leader at the GEGP Network on (08)90216610.
Useful Numbers:
Rural link: Phone number: 1800 552 002
TTY: 1800 720 101
(Specialist AFTER-HOURS mental health telephone service for rural communities of WA)
Useful web sites:
Auseinet: http://www.auseinet.com/
Beyondblue http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
DepressioNethttp://www.depressionet.com.au/
Sane http://www.sane.org/
eMJA Mental Health Information Centre http://www.mja.com.au/public/mentalhealth/index.html
Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) Mental Health Council of Australia http://www.mhca.org.au/
WA Association for Mental Health http://www.waamh.org.au/
Youth
itsallright.org http://www.itsallright.org
Reach Out! http://reachout.com.au/home.asp
Carers
Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill http://www.arafmi.asn.au/
Carers WA http://www.carerswa.asn.au/
Quality Use of Medicines/National Prescribing Service
To find out more details on all programs please refer to the ‘Applications Portal’ (http://apps.goldhealth.net.au/application/notice/notice.asp) or contact the GEGPN on (08)90216610.
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