Category Archives: News

Head to Help

Stressed out? Feeling helpless? Help is here.

HeadtoHelp supports Victorians of all ages. Take the first steps towards finding the mental health and wellbeing support that’s best for you.

If your mental health is suffering because of the current pandemic, call HeadtoHelp now.

Now is the time to reach out, even if you’ve never felt like this or asked for help before.

The sooner you talk about your mental health, the sooner you’ll get the help and support you need, to help you move forward and feel stronger.

It couldn’t be easier. A trained professional will take your call, give you advice, and if you need it, connect you to a free HeadtoHelp hub or help you find the support that suits your needs.

1800 595 212 (free call)
This is not a crisis service. See below for urgent help.
8.30am – 5pm Monday – Friday

Urgent support

LifeLine 13 11 14

MensLine 1300 789 978

Beyond Blue – Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service 1800 512 348

SuicideLine 1300 651 251

Find HeadtoHelp Hub locations
Find out more here

https://headtohelp.org.au/

Tandem eNews 15 September 2020

Tandem Time this Thursday at 10am

At our next Tandem Time session this Thursday 17 September at 10am, we will be joined by guest presenter Jagjit Dhaliwal, Executive Director, Service Development and Reform, North Western Melbourne PHN, who will provide an overview and answer any of your questions regarding the new ‘Head to Help’ mental health clinics.

TandemTime is our regular twice monthly online/phone meet-up for Tandem members and staff to connect with each other, ask questions and stay in touch.

When you register to attend you will be sent a link that will enable you to login to the meeting at the allotted time and telephone numbers if you prefer to dial in using a telephone.

  • Day: Thursday 17 September
  • Time: 10am – 11am
  • Where: online via Zoom or telephone

If you have any feedback, reflections or questions you would like to ask, please send them to info@tandemcarers.org.au Register for Tandem Time

New ‘HeadtoHelp’ services open

Victorians now have access to additional mental health support with 15 new dedicated mental health clinics opening to the public. The HeadToHelp clinics, which are funded for $26.9 million as part of a package to support Victorians during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been rapidly rolled out across the state. Nine locations in Greater Melbourne are: Berwick, Frankston, Officer, Hawthorn, Yarra Junction, West Heidelberg, Broadmeadows, Wyndham Vale, and Brunswick East. Six locations in Regional Victoria are: Warragul, Sale, Bendigo, Wodonga, Sebastopol and Norlane.

HeadtoHelp clinics are a free service and, over the next 12 months, will provide a place within the community for people to access mental health care as early and as conveniently as possible. Multidisciplinary teams will staff the clinics, providing on-site mental health support, as well as connecting people to other services in their region. The clinics will play a key role in supporting GPs, emergency departments and hospitals by providing easily accessible mental health care. The clinics are being delivered by the Commonwealth Government’s Primary Health Networks (PHNs).

An additional $5 million in funding is also being provided to enhance existing digital and phone services for people experiencing significant challenges during COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria.

More information and the address locations can be viewed here. The Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s press conference with Dr Ruth Vine, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, regarding the clinics can be watched here. You can also visit headtohelp.org.au.

You can access the complete newsletter via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/84d167f8b2ac/dfxn4oqrm0-3918928?e=34088e3417

Alfred Health Carer Services eNews September 2020

Alfred Health Carer Services
Carers Week 2020

Save the dates 11th-17th October

Featuring “My Mornings Matter”, carers will be encouraged to take some time every morning of Carers Week to enjoy a laughter workshop, Qigong, a singalong and much more.
Keep an eye out out for our email for more information coming soon or keep checking on our website Click here

In home testing for COVID 19 now available

The Department of Health and Human Services is assisting vulnerable Victorians in metropolitan Melbourne to access a COVID-19 test from their own home to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Visit their website here to find out more.

You can access the complete newsletter via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/88cbea49160e/carer-south-june-enews-6450180?e=8f7e3a8626

Update from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Spring 2020

2020 witness statements

“The witness statements build on the huge amount of information the Commission has received, through consultations, submissions and last year’s public hearings. More than 130 statements have been published so far and I encourage you to visit our website to read them and to learn more about our themes of inquiry.”

Final report

In late May, the Victorian Government announced a three-month extension to the Commission, due to the pandemic and its impact on the ability of individuals, service providers, and other organisations to contribute to our work.

Our final report is now due to be delivered by 5 February 2021.

We’re at a critical phase of our deliberations, as we examine the huge amount of evidence gathered through witness statements, submissions, community consultations, surveys, research, stakeholder meetings, and a substantial program of focus groups.

All of these inputs will help us shape our final recommendations for change. Our final report will set out an ambitious blueprint for transforming Victoria’s mental health system, including the design of central elements of a future mental health system.

Stay up to date

To stay up to date with the latest activity, please follow the Commission on Twitter @RCMentalHealth

Penny Armytage AM
Chair, Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System

You can read the complete update via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/544aa2c85961/royal-commission-into-victorias-mental-health-system-spring-update?e=64d8f6c145

Carer and consumer contributions to be included in an ISFAF book

Dear Carers
Please let me know if you would like to contribute – an article, poem, illustration, photograph, puzzle or any other contribution that would fit in a book, be nontoxic, serious or humorous (or both) and be from YOUR heart.
This is an opportunity to let the world know a little about you / how you feel. You can write in your own name or borrow one from the Martian phone book.
This is going to be a long-term project, but we need to have indications of interest now.
Best wishes
Judi
0425 723 746
You can access information about an online writing course held by Discovery College via this link:

Community Program Newsletter August 2020

Changes to PARC  (Prevention and Recovery Care)
As many of you know, Alfred Health and Wellways have worked in partnership to deliver the South Yarra PARC program for many years now and we would like to announce a change in provider partner. From the 14 September, Ermha365 will be the new partner with Alfred Health at South Yarra PARC and we look forward to delivering a high quality, contemporary and dynamic program for consumers and carers. Ermha365 have an excellent reputation in the delivery of individualised PARC programs that collaborate closely with their clinical partners throughout Victoria. The PARC clinical team are excited for the coming transition. At 5pm on the 11 September, PARC will close for a period of 2 weeks for handover, orientation, training and some on site refreshment and maintenance, reopening for business on Monday 28 September. This means we will begin winding down intake over the coming weeks with the final entries in the program being around the 28 August for 2-week stays. Communication to current and previous PARC Participants about the change in provider and disruption to service will be distributed via mail in the coming weeks. Alfred Health would like to thank Wellways for the years of commitment to the South Yarra PARC program and we look forward to further opportunities to collaborate in the future.

Eloise Scott Senior Clinician, South Yarra PARC

PARC is a short term program that provides support, care and treatment –average stay is 2 weeks but can be up to 28 days.

Free 24/7 Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
Beyond Blue has developed a service to address the growing mental health impact of the pandemic, including fear about the virus, financial stress, business closure, family stress, anxiety and loneliness. The service offers easy access to a broad range of practical supports from online wellbeing tips, self-help tools to phone counselling from trained mental health professionals and peer to peer support.

coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au or via phone on1800 512 348

You can access the complete newsletter via the link below:

Community Program Newsletter August 2020

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group Meeting 7.30pm Tuesday 8 September 2020


SPEAKER:    ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SIMON STAFRACE, CHIEF ADVISER OF MENTAL HEALTH REFORM VICTORIA
TOPIC:   ‘MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN VICTORIA – LOOKING AHEAD’

 Join Zoom meetings from a warm, comfortable spot at home, with some healthy nibbles
Family and friends are especially welcome (as always).
A pen and some paper might also be handy to jot down notes.
You can join via internet or phone line (even land line)
A chat session will commence at 7.15pm, so please join early as our speaker will start at 7.30pm.
To join the Zoom meeting:
1. Note the Meeting ID: 788 139 680 and Passcode: 096604
2.  and click on the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/788139680?pwd=ZjhWRTM3L0dTUURSVStxVy9yQ1V6dz09
or alternatively, phone any of the following numbers – you can participate even from a land-line.
731 853 730 or 7018 2005 or 02 8015 6011 or 861 193 900  or  08 7150 1149.
If you are having trouble, please phone Eleni on 0412 018 722 or Judi on 0425 723 746 or 9528 2820 

You can access more details via the link below:

Article from The Age 27 July 2020

Bright spot

Hotel stays for 2000 homeless extended until April under $150m package

More than 2000 homeless Victorians who have been put up in hotels during the pandemic will get to stay until at least April next year while they are helped to find long-term housing, thanks to a $150 million state government relief package. Bevan Warner (pictured), the chief executive of Launch Housing, said the “very positive” package demonstrated that homelessness was solvable.

 

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group Meeting 7.30pm Tuesday 14 July 2020

You are invited to join our Zoom Meeting this Tuesday at 7.30pm.  See details below:
KENT BURGESS, ACTING CEO, STAR HEALTH will speak on STAR HEALTH IN 2020 AND BEYOND  –  ALCOHOL, DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN A CHANGING SYSTEM

Join Zoom meetings from a comfortable spot at home, with some nibbles and a nice warm blanket.  A pen and some paper might also be handy to jot down notes.

You can join via internet or phone line (even land line).  A social chat session will commence at 7.15 pm, so please join early.  Speaker will start at 7.30 pm.

To join the Meeting  jot down the password and meeting ID. You may (or may not) be asked for it, but it may be useful to have it handy.  Meeting ID: 788 139 680 Password: 096604

If you are accessing the meeting via computer or lap-top or smart phone
click on the following link­ and follow the instructions you receive via:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/788139680?pwd=ZjhWRTM3L0dTUURSVStxVy9yQ1V6dz09  

Occasionally I’ve received messages such as ‘host is in another meeting’.  If you receive any such strange  messages, click on ‘close the meeting’ at your end, wait a few minutes and then try again.

Alternatively dial any of the following numbers to participate in the session via audio only
+61 2 8015 6011or +61 3 7018 2005 or +61 731 853 730 or +61 861 193 900 or +61 8 7150 1149

If you are having trouble, phone 0425 723 746

 

 

Alfred Health Carer Services eNews 3 July 2020

Finding it hard to get the basics?

Across Melbourne’s southern metro area there are different services offering emergency relief such as meals, food, other basic groceries and financial assistance.
Find out what’s available in your local area:

Bayside
Casey
Cardinia
Frankston
Greater Dandenong
Glen Eria
Kingston
Mornington Peninsula
Port Phillip
Stonnington

OR  visit CISVic, who provide local services to people experiencing personal and financial difficulties.

Face to Face Meditation and Gentle Yoga classes are back!

We are excited to reinstate our face to face gentle yoga and meditation and mindfulness classes.

Moksha Yoga Bentleigh has resumed their Meditation and Mindfulness classes for carers every Tuesday from 11:30am-12:30pm

Call Moksha Yoga on 9557 5885 to book your place.Body Yoga Berwick will begin face to face Gentle Chair Yoga July 14, 11:15am-12:15pm and Carer Meditation & Mindfulness classes from 12:30pm-1:15pm

Call Body Yoga on 0402 072 677 to book your place

Places may be limited and bookings before the classes are strictly required to ensure social distancing.

Helping all women get active at home.

This Girl Can have released their Get Active at Home videos.

This collection of online workouts on features women of all ages, fitness levels, shapes and sizes and abilities getting active and feeling good. More than 7000 people have visited it since it launched in May.

Click here to see more.

You can read the complete newsletter via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/3c6ffdf47695/carer-south-june-enews-6441700?e=8f7e3a8626