Topic: Mental health

We’re putting the spotlight on mental health in this new 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 Wollondilly and Wingecarribee.

What services and supports does your service provide?

The You in Mind service provides free psychological support to people with mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression, or have enduring mental health problems. The service is free, confidential and available to anyone in the community aged 12 years or older who identifies with the eligible groups.

Services are provided by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, at a time, location and venue that suits. The mental health professional will provide evidence-based and person-centred support to improve overall wellbeing. Services provided are matched to individual needs.

If needed, consumers may also be linked in with a peer support worker. The peer support worker is someone who also has a lived experience of mental illness and accessing services. They can help the consumer understand what to expect from accessing supports and walk alongside them on their mental health recovery.

What are your service location/s and service hours?

In Wollondilly and Wingecarribee, You in Mind is delivered by Community Links Wellbeing, providing localised supports to these rural communities. The hours of operation are 8am to 7pm.

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

You in Mind is available to people from the following population groups:

1. Living with stress, anxiety or depression and from one, or more of the following populations:   

• Culturally and linguistically diverse or from a refugee background 
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander 
• Living in the rural areas of Wollondilly and Wingecarribee, with barriers to gaining support through Better Access (Medicare) services 
• Residents of Claymore, Airds and the 2168 postcode  
• LGBTIQA+ 
• Older People 
• Financially Disadvantaged 
• Perinatal Depression 

Or 

2. Experiencing a severe and enduring mental illness 

Does your service provide support to people who don’t speak English as a first language?

While Community Links Wellbeing does not have its own interpreter service team members can assist people to connect with an interpreter provided by a relevant service.

How can people be referred?

Referrals can be made through the SWSPHN Mental Health Referral Form, or via Community Links Wellbeing on 02 4683 2776, 02 0455 104 104 or mhintake@communitylinks.org.au. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is required after the first three hours of service.

Please provide a local case study/example of a client journey when accessing your services, including:

Sam, 28 years of age who had recently given birth to her first child referred herself by calling the Community Links intake number following an increase in her anxiety following the birth, manifesting in racing thoughts, sleep disturbances and relationship issues. The intake team member asked some questions over the phone completing the ‘non-GP/provisional’ referral form and she was allocated a clinician in the same week. Her allocated clinician offered a home visit or clinic-based appointment and at a time that suited her. Sessions commenced weekly and after her first three sessions the clinician assisted with a GP visit to obtain a mental health treatment plan to access free subsequent sessions. Sam received evidence-based strategies such as cognitive behavioural interventions but also received holistic support including access to free groups including trauma informed yoga, mindfulness meditation and a circle of security parenting support group, and provided information on child developmental needs and expectations while also being offered financial and practical support such as groceries, if needed. Sam’s partner was included in her sessions and attended the parenting group and after 12 sessions Sam reported via outcome measures a marked decrease in anxiety, improved parenting skills and reported feeling an enhanced sense of connection due to her participation in the free groups. Her partner reported improved family relationships while both were reassured this service is based locally and offers a wide range of supports, even though they were not in need of all they were pleased to simply know it exists and is readily accessible. The clinician maintained expected communication with Sam’s GP who also monitored Sam’s progress and was available if her presentation deteriorated.

A day in the life of …. Julie Young, Registered Psychologist

What’s your day-to-day role?

Depending on the weather, the average day starts very early with a walk into town; my two-year-old easily bribed with the promise of a ‘babycino’ and the puppy easily bribed with the promise of ‘all those smells’. I like to put into practice the behaviours I encourage in my clients and the benefits of early exercise on mental health and the maintenance of a positive mindset is well documented.

After the early morning school rush, I arrive to my workspace for the day and catch up on urgent messages, calls or emails before meeting with my first client. The positive in the pandemic is that it has allowed much flexibility in service delivery and so this could be face-to-face, over Zoom, over the phone or even home visits to those particularly struggling to attend in office. It has also allowed more clients to access services otherwise not available to them. I have spent many a session providing support to those sitting in their car on their lunch break, or from their homes stuck in isolation.

After my morning clients, sometimes I’m lucky enough to catch a colleague and have a chat over lunch or a cup of tea, helping to debrief, decompress and stay connected through our busy days.

The afternoons differ greatly in the day-to-day; it often consists of a combination of seeing younger clients after school, doing home visits, treatment planning for the following day, liaising with other healthcare professionals, catching up on calls and administration duties, or planning our upcoming bushwalking group with peer support person Chris.

Every hour of client work is different, some more challenging than others but always interesting. I enjoy working with modalities such as CBT, CPT, some ACT and always from a trauma informed place.  I aim to expand my knowledge of assessment and intervention constantly and practice new approaches as often as I can.

The evening shift is often the most challenging part of my day with a very tired little one still learning to regulate her big emotions and a very active eight-year-old navigating his own life challenges; wanting to share with us every part of his day at school.

What do you find most challenging about your role?

The most challenging part of my role is navigating the sheer number of referrals that come through the door and how variable each case is in terms of types of presentation and intensity.

While this certainly provides much opportunity for learning and growing in my practice, it’s not without its challenges; balancing the commitment to ongoing learning and treatment planning with managing client’s current needs. The pandemic has seen a huge increase in demand for services across the board, but I feel privileged to be able to contribute to the well-being of the community during this time, albeit if in a very small way.

What do you find most rewarding?

The most rewarding part of the role is seeing the client outcomes. To have those dedicated to change see real progress and healing in their lives is the very thing that makes this role worthwhile. When clients are that dedicated and consistent in attendance that they prioritise their sessions, it’s very motivating to work hard for them. We’re told that we should never work harder for someone than they are willing to work for themselves. This can feel restrictive at times, but I remind myself that sometimes the first part of therapy is helping individuals to value themselves enough to put in that work. Seeing outcomes for those individuals is all the more rewarding.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your job?

Outside of my job I like to focus on spending time with my partner and kids, my extended family and friends and investing greatly in those relationships. We like bushwalking and riding bikes. I also like to spend time doing DIY project/renovations at home that inspire my more creative side and get me outside using my hands. Recently I have come to find a love for gardening which is a pretty progressive change for me considering I’d have difficulty keeping a cactus alive. I have enjoyed the grounding and mindfulness benefits that comes with this and endeavour to continue this as part of my own self-care. I also love to read fiction novels. A past-time lost during my study days. If I’m lucky, I get to dive into a book at night and read about three pages before the day catches up with me.

SWSPHN surveyed stakeholders and community in January to gain insight into the impact COVID-19 has had on the mental health of residents in South Western Sydney.

The survey found:

The top three mental health concerns impacted by COVID-19 were:

• Increased feelings of loneliness/isolation
• Increased anxiety and/or psychological distress
• Increased prevalence of stress and burnout

The top three most vulnerable population groups in South Western Sydney due to the impact of COVID-19 were:

• Health professionals and front-line workers
• Young people (12 to 25) and older adults (25 years and over)
• Financially disadvantaged/unemployed

In response, SWSPHN is offering Mental Health Recovery Grants of between $10,000 and $100,000.

What activities will be funded?

Initiatives delivered under this grant will increase activities within the region promoting good mental health and wellbeing, supporting recovery and promoting resilience. Activities should aim to reduce stigma and promote help seeking, focusing on engaging vulnerable population groups disproportionately impacted by pandemic and disaster.

Who can apply?

Individual community members, community groups, community managed organisations, non-government and government funded organisations and private entities can apply. SWSPHN will only accept one submission per grant applicant. Applications must be supported by evidence of need relating to the impact of the pandemic and/or other disaster on mental health and wellbeing within the region.

How to apply

Step 1: Review Mental Health Recovery Grants – guidelines

Step 2: Complete the Mental Health Recovery Grants – application form

Step 3: Email the completed application form to communitygrants@swsphn.com.au by 5pm, Wednesday, 4 May 2022.

Late applications will not be accepted.

SWSPHN surveyed stakeholders and community in January to gain insight into the impact COVID-19 has had on the mental health of residents in South Western Sydney.

The survey found:

The top three mental health concerns impacted by COVID-19 were:

• Increased feelings of loneliness/isolation
• Increased anxiety and/or psychological distress
• Increased prevalence of stress and burnout

The top three most vulnerable population groups in South Western Sydney due to the impact of COVID-19 were:

• Health professionals and front-line workers
• Young people (12 to 25) and older adults (25 years and over)
• Financially disadvantaged/unemployed

In response, SWSPHN is offering Mental Health Recovery Grants of between $10,000 and $100,000.

What activities will be funded?

Initiatives delivered under this grant will increase activities within the region promoting good mental health and wellbeing, supporting recovery and promoting resilience. Activities should aim to reduce stigma and promote help seeking, focusing on engaging vulnerable population groups disproportionately impacted by pandemic and disaster.

Who can apply?

Individual community members, community groups, community managed organisations, non-government and government funded organisations and private entities can apply. SWSPHN will only accept one submission per grant applicant. Applications must be supported by evidence of need relating to the impact of the pandemic and/or other disaster on mental health and wellbeing within the region.

How to apply

To apply:

Step 1: Review Mental Health Recovery Grants – Guidelines

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Step 3: Email the completed application form to communitygrants@swsphn.com.au by 5pm, Wednesday, 4 May 2022.

Late applications will not be accepted.