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According to Mental Health Australia one in five Australians are affected by mental illness, yet many don’t seek help.
Mental illness has been a part of many conversations recently with campaigns such as R U OK Day, World Suicide Preventation Day and last week’s Mental Health Week helping to raise awareness, break down stigmas and encourage people, as well as their family and friends, to seek help.
Many are still unsure where they can go for help in their local area and what type of care is available so it is important to highlight the services available through Shoalhaven Family Medical Centres (SFMC) that have specialised in the provision of mental health (MH) care now for 10 years.
“In July 2017 SFMC were awarded the contract for the provision of complex MH for the Shoalhaven region,” Scott Bismire from SFMC said.
“We have been developing a MH team which comprises of five credentialed mental health nurses, one mental health social worker, one psychologist and one administration support worker.
“The complex MH team also work with a team of in excess of 10 psychiatrists via Telehealth.”
SFMC complex MH team accept referrals from all GP practices in the Shoalhaven. Their focus is providing care for the more complex MH cases covering a range of disorders such as:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar spectrum disorders
- Major depression
- Treatment resistant depression
- Severe anxiety disorders including obsessive compulsive disorders
- Trauma related disorders
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Dual diagnosis disorders
- Personality disorders
SFMC offer a range of non-pharmacological treatment interventions such as MH assessment, monitoring review of mental health /state, psychological education and support to the client, family and carers, cognitive therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapies, graduated exposure, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, solution focused therapy, trauma informed counselling and grief and bereavement support.
Scott, who has been a MH nurse for over 30 years and is credentialed with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) says early intervention is important and can often prevent the development and progression of what may have become a serious lifelong mental illness.
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“Numerous adolescents who present with early psychosis, are often able to prevent the development of serious psychotic disorders with early diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
“With intervention, clients who present profoundly depressed symptoms and are experiencing intrusive suicidal thoughts and hopelessness can prevent prolonged suffering and can turn their life around for the better.”
Those suffering with mental distress can seek help in numerous ways. The first step is often to open up (rather than withdrawing and isolating yourself), seek help and ‘talk to someone’ whether that’s a trusted friend, your partner, your GP, a telephone support service such as Lifeline or NSW Mental Health Line or presenting to your local hospital.
SFMC said that the task for the greater community is to look out for our fellow people and reach out, if they don't appear to be travelling well.
“Simply ask them if they are OK. We are all made up of the same stuff - mind, body, spirit and soul,” Scott said.
“There is still a great deal of stigma out there. We will think nothing of seeking medical assistance for a physical health complaint, however we will often fear seeking help for our mental health for fear that people may regard as us weak, not in control or crazy.
“What is crazy is not taking care of the most important organ of all - our brain. Without it working well then nothing else works!”
Shoalhaven Family Medical Centres have locations in Worrigee, Vincentia, Culburra Beach and Basin View. For more information go to www.sfmc.net.au.