MEDIA RELEASE
21st January 2008
For immediate release
PROCESS BEGINS TO MEND HOLES IN MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM
Gaping holes in Australia’s mental health system, which have previously left people suffering from severe mental illness without crucial treatment and support networks, will soon begin to be filled. Mind, Australia’s largest not-for profit, non-government provider of mental health services, today announced it will soon open seven new and innovative mental health programs across Victoria dedicated to supporting people in the community with multiple and very complex needs.
Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs), an Australian Government initiative, is a unique program designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our community; people who have a severe mental illness often with psychosis; a high risk of relapse; a history of hospitalisation; often with substance abuse and/or physical illness; and significant impairments in social, personal and occupational functioning that requires intensive, ongoing support.
Mind CEO, Robyn Duff said the services offered by the PHaMs programs will fill a huge hole that currently exists in the mental health system.
“The people who will benefit from these programs are the people whose needs are the most critical and who sadly are being left behind by the current system. These are the most marginalised and vulnerable people in society who have often lost social or family support networks and rely extensively on multiple health and community services” said Ms Duff.
PHaMs, which is one of the key Australian Government initiatives included in the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 – 2011, aims to increase the ability of people who are severely affected by a mental illness to access employment, education, accommodation, income support, training, social and family support. When one or more of these needs are not met, the person’s capacity to live in the community is jeopardised.
In contrast to other mental health services there is no age limit for clients, no time limit for participation and clients do not need to have a clinical diagnosis of a mental illness to be eligible for the program.
“People may not have a clinical diagnosis for many reasons, including a reluctance to go to a clinical service to be diagnosed. This is where the system fails many people - it may be clear there is something not right, but simply because the person doesn’t have a formal diagnosis they can’t get access to the services they need” said Ms Duff.
Mind’s PHaMs programs will be available to residents in and around the following areas; Gippsland (Traralgon/Morwell, Korumburra/Lakes Entrance), Barwon South West, Dandenong/Cardinia, Central East (City of Whitehorse) and Inner-South metropolitan.
The program takes a strengths and recovery based approach, focusing on a person’s strengths rather than deficits and recognises that a person can recover from a mental illness and live a fulfilling life.
The program concept, developed by the Australian government and managed by FaHCSIA, was based on extensive consultation with representatives from government, non-government, mental health peak bodies, consumers, families and carers.
Participation in the PHaMs program is completely voluntary and people can enter the program through a broad range of community organisations, for example through disability employment service providers, drug & alcohol support services, clinical case managers, housing support services, or on discharge from hospital.
People can also self-refer or be encouraged to access the program through family, friends or carers. For more information or to refer someone people can contact Mind on 03 9455 7900.
-ends-
Background – Mind (formerly Richmond Fellowship Victoria & South Australia)
Mind has been operating for more than 30 years and is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit, non-government providers of mental health services to people recovering from a mental illness. Mind also assists people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to access community services including safe and stable accommodation.
Each year Mind helps more than 2,000 people to rebuild their lives, reconnect with family, friends and the community and rediscover a purpose in life.
Available for comment: Mind CEO, Robyn Duff
Media Contact: Katrina Wilkins on 9455 7935 or 0412 659 928
www.mindaustralia.org.au
|
