Mental Health News – Oct ’16

NSW’s Mental Health Month

Learn and grow is the theme of this year’s NSW Mental Health Month, with a focus on encouraging all of us to understand the factors that impact our own mental health and to take action to improve our wellbeing. Understanding our own mental health can also help us be more attuned to the wellbeing of those around us.

Sydney North Health Network has a strong focus on psychological services and support. In the past year the organisation has embarked on a mental health needs assessment of Northern Sydney, involving a review of local data and extensive stakeholder engagement. In the months ahead, SNPHN will be commissioning new mental health services designed to meet the needs of the local community.

While the prevalence of mental illness in Northern Sydney remains lower than the state average, every day a teenager in our community will need emergency services as a result of self-harm or a suicide attempt. In fact, the largest cause of death in 15-24-years-olds in our region is intentional self-harm.

Nearly half of all Australians (45%) will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime, and those that don’t will most likely know someone that does.

CLICK HERE for more information on Mental Health Month.

Mental Health Provider Capacity Building Workshops

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and Mental Health Australia are running a series of capacity building workshops for mental health providers.

The dates, locations and registration details are listed below. For further information about the upcoming NDIS face-to-face workshops in NSW, please refer to the registration details.

26 Oct – Blacktown – Marketing – CLICK HERE to register
1 Nov – Liverpool – Costing and Pricing – CLICK HERE to register
3 Nov – Sydney – Costing and Pricing – CLICK HERE to register
9 Nov – Sydney – Flexible work practices – CLICK HERE to register

GPs can refer patients to the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program by calling the Sydney North Health Network GP referral line on 1300 782 391.

October and November’s allocation of services are as follows: