Topic: Mental health

Mental Health Month each October encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not.

It also gives us the opportunity to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and encourages help seeking behaviours when needed.

Mental Health Month’s theme encourages everyone to “Tune In”.

You can tune in to many things:

• Tune in to yourself – What can you sense right now? What can you feel?
• Tune in to others – What might people around you be feeling? How can we connect?
• Tune in to your community – What is happening that you can be part of, or that you can help others be part of?
• Tune in to stigma – How do attitudes and understanding of mental health and wellbeing impact on people’s ability to live the lives they want? How can we help?

Find out more about the importance of tuning in on the WayAhead website.

• SWSPHN funds a range of mental health services to address different levels of need. Visit our website to find out more about these services.

Students from primary and secondary schools in South Western Sydney are invited to enter South Western Sydney Local Health District’s Five Ways to Wellbeing School’s Creative Project.

The art competition aims to celebrate Mental Health Month in October.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are simple actions people can take in their everyday life to improve their mental wellbeing, and their ability to cope with the ups and downs of life.

The five ways are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. 

Competition

The aim of the project is to positively promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing. All entries should highlight one or more of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

Entries can be in any art style, for example painting, collage, drawing, photography.

Prizes

One winner and one highly commended prize will be awarded for each of the five age categories. Winners will win a $50 gift card.

Schools which have more than 50 entries will go in the draw to win one of three $250 vouchers.

Find out how to enter

Download the Teacher’s Guide

Entries close Monday, 24 October 2022.

On R U OK? Day, Thursday, 8 September, Australians are reminded every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a conversation whenever they spot the signs someone they care about might be struggling with life.

R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues – to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they’re in crisis.

The R U OK? website has a range of useful resources and tips for how to ask ‘R U OK?’.

Find out more

R U OK? has translated a number of key resources you can use, if you or someone you know would prefer to get information in a language other than English.

Access the resources

• Visit swsphn.com.au to find out about the mental health services we fund
• Visit Health Resource Directory to find out about specific mental health conditions

The Mental Health Symposium 2022 will highlight a range of innovative local programs, initiatives and supports to address the needs faced within South Western Sydney and work towards improved mental health outcomes.

Hear about exciting approaches in the areas of:

• Mental health and comorbidities
• Psychosocial support
• Regional planning
• Peer support
• Engaging with multicultural communities
• Suicide prevention
• Disaster recovery
• Eating disorders
• Social and emotional wellbeing

 

Keynote speakers

 

 

 

Connector Hub is a free, flexible psychosocial peer support service which offers programs and group-based activities to about 350 people living in South Western Sydney who face severe mental health challenges.

 

What support does Connector Hub provide?

Connector Hub is free and provides support tailored to the specific needs of the person seeking support.

A recovery support worker and access worker (someone with lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery) work with participants to help them achieve their goals, manage daily tasks, get involved in activities and make connections.

Participants may receive support with finding work, connecting with their community or accessing other health professionals.

The program offers:

• Community activities – social activities, outings and connecting community members
• Group support – focusing on understanding the person’s mental illness, improving their physical health and living the life they want
• Linking – with services, supports and health professionals who can help
• Reaching goals – support to reach the person’s education, employment and financial goals

 

How has Connector Hub changed?

Connector Hub underwent some changes last year, including:

• A minimum of 30 per cent of participants will be given the opportunity to apply for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) improving their quality of life and access to valuable services
• Consumers are now limited to 12 months’ access to Connector Hub services
• The service’s capacity has increased to 700 participants across the region

 

Where is Connector Hub provided?

Connector Hub can be accessed anywhere across our region, and Stride (Fairfield) has now joined One Door Mental Health (Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee) and Flourish (Bankstown and Liverpool) to deliver the services.

 

Who can access Connector Hub?

People can access the service if they:

• Live with severe mental illness which cause some difficulties in their everyday life
• Are aged 18 and over
• Live in South Western Sydney
• Are not receiving funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

 

How can someone access Connector Hub?

Anyone can refer an eligible person to the program (with their permission) including:

• Self-referral
• Carers, family or friends
• Health professionals

Refer online and find out more at www.connectorhub.org.au or call 1800 518 216.

We’re putting the spotlight on mental health in this monthly feature. Learn more about SWSPHN commissioned services, projects and events, and find guidance on navigating the mental health system. 

This month we’re highlighting You in Mind (moderate and high intensity supports) delivered by One Door Mental Health.

---

What services and supports does your service provide?

One Door Mental Health offers a stepped-care model of psychological therapy services, designed to meet the needs of the individual. Our programs are funded by SWSPHN.

You in Mind is a ‘no-cost’ psychological therapy service for eligible people experiencing mild to severe mental illness. We have a team of almost 100 registered providers across the SWSPHN footprint, with a variety of specialties, services, and cultural backgrounds.

You in Mind also offers a non-clinical Peer Support Program available to participants, which can include soft-entry into clinical services, psychoeducation, advocacy and links to psychosocial supports. A You in Mind clinician can link any participant to this program when needed.

The You in Mind program is designed as an accessible and equitable service for people who are at risk of developing, or have a diagnosed mental illness. Participants can access the first three hours of therapy before needing to provide a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. As soon as this document is provided, clients may access up to 12 hours for moderate care and up to 20 hours for high intensity services.

What are your service location/s and service hours?

The You in Mind service is available across the South Western Sydney region including Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Camden. The service hours are mainly 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, however some of our team members do offer after-hours appointments.

What is the eligibility criteria to access your service and are there any targeted supports to specific population groups?

The You in Mind service is available to residents of South Western Sydney with mild to moderate mental health issues and identify as being from one of the following populations groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups 
• Residents of Claymore, Airds and the 2168 postcode 
• LGBTIQA+ 
• Older people 
• Financial disadvantaged 
• Perinatal depression

For high intensity referrals, the participant must live or work within the region and be diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness, and requiring high/frequent levels of ongoing support.

Does your service provide support to people who don’t speak English as a first language? If so, what supports are available?

Yes. One Door has a large workforce of bi-lingual clinicians and also utilises interpreting services where required.

How can people be referred?

People can access the service via a referral from their GP. Alternatively, a provisional referral can be made by suitable community organisations via the central intake online referral form. An eligible person can refer themselves to You in Mind, by calling our administration team on 9199 6143.