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Continuing To Be Me (C2bMe) is a psychological treatment program for people living in residential aged care homes in South Western Sydney.
C2bMe enables Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) residents experiencing mild to moderate mental illness to access mental health services like those available in the wider community and previously not routinely available to older people living in RACHs. C2bMe is a free service funded by Southwestern Sydney PHN that provides 1:1 therapeutic mental health support and group support for eligible residents.
It is designed to:
- provide a comprehensive person-centred model of care
- reinforce the person’s identity and purpose
- increases connectedness and hope
- improve the person’s mental health wellbeing
- increase the day-to-day functioning of residents in aged care homes
C2bMe is a free service for people who are:
- residents of a partnered aged care facility within South Western Sydney
- aged 65 years or older, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or over
- who experience mild to moderate symptoms of common mental health issues
- who have consented and are able to actively participate in mental health support, this requires them to have the capacity to reflect and retain information.
Not sure if a RACH is partnered with C2bMe? Contact Uniting (scroll down for contact details) or speak to the individual’s RACH to ask about whether the individual you are referring resides in a RACH partnered with C2bMe.
Exclusion criteria
- Diagnosis of dementia or other conditions which impact the individual’s capacity to reflect and retain information
- Individuals with co-morbid mental health issues alongside dementia or with a disability will be assessed for eligibility at C2bMe’s discretion.
- Active engagement with Older Person’s Mental Health precludes involvement with C2bMe, however residents can be stepped up to OPMH by C2bMe or stepped down to C2bMe by OPMH.
C2bMe's approach to care
Mental health professionals provide short-term therapies through group sessions or individual clinical care. C2bMe applies an integrated team approach involving GPs, RACH staff, carers and families to deliver care needs which are evidence-based and person-centred.
RACH staff are supported through capacity building assistance to provide holistic care which aims to strengthen their understanding of mental health.
Individual support involves 12 individual sessions which are 30-90 minutes in length, depending on the individual’s needs. Depending on the needs and wishes of the individual, they can engage in the C2bMe group offerings facilitated at their RACH by C2bMe clinicians.
How to access C2bMe
An individual can self-refer to C2bMe, or referrals can be made by anyone connected to the resident, with the individual’s consent. A Mental Health Care Plan via a GP is not necessary. Intake processes are tailored to meet the unique needs of each participating RACH, speak with a staff member at the RACH or contact the C2bMe team to find out if the residential care home is a partner and how you can refer to the program.
Contact the C2bMe team at Uniting:
Phone: 1800 422 263 (1800 4 C2bMe)
Email: c2bme@uniting.org
Alternative email: ask@uniting.org
Website: C2BMe - Continuing to be Me
C2bMe@Home – support in the comfort of your own home
C2bMe@home program supports the emotional and mental wellbeing of older people living in South Western Sydney who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health distress.
C2bMe@home aims to assist individuals to continue to live with purpose and dignity in their own homes by providing up to 15 hours of support, dependant on complexity. C2bMe provides face-to-face sessions in the home of the older person and/or telehealth sessions with mental health professionals who provide short-term, evidence-based therapy.
C2bMe@home is a free service for people who are:
- aged 65 years or older, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or over
- experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns
- consent to receive support
- are able to actively participate in mental health support, this requires them to have the capacity to reflect and retain information
- not already receiving professional mental health intervention.
Exclusion criteria
- diagnosis of dementia or other conditions which impact the individual’s capacity to reflect and retain information
- active and ongoing engagement with Older Person’s Mental Health or other mental health professional
- client resides in residential aged care home (see C2bMe program).
How to access C2bMe@home
Referrals from individuals, relatives, carers and professionals are welcome, a mental health care plan is not needed to access the service.
To find out more about C2bMe@home or to make a referral.
Contact the C2bMe@home team at Uniting:
Phone: 1800 422 263 (1800 4 C2bMe)
Email: C2bmehome.sws@uniting.org
Alternative email: ask@uniting.org
Website: C2bMe@home (uniting.org)
