Download Singleton Mental Health Support Group

Singleton Mental Health Services
Sundial at Rose Point Park – Traditional Lands of the Wanaruah
Family/Carer
Kit
We hope that this kit provides you with some general information and support during this
challenging time
Singleton Mental Health Forum Working Party
Mental Illness:
When a person is diagnosed with a mental illness it is a difficult time
for not only the person experiencing the condition but also for their
carers, family and friends. Declining mental health can be due to a
number of factors, e.g. stress, an underlying mental illness and/or
abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Thus there is still limited
understanding in the community about mental illness and this can add
to feelings of isolation for all those involved. The Singleton Community,
however, does have a number of support organisations and services
that can be accessed during times of need. Singleton has abundant
recreational facilities that can assist both the individual experiencing
mental illness and their carers to feel better in themselves.
This guide aims to help provide useful information for carers on
support, services and recreation activities available in the Singleton
community.
This guide has been compiled by Malcolm Causley and Singleton Council’s Community
Development Officer with assistance from Carol Gouch (Care Assist) and with
reference to Lake Macquarie Mental Health Services Family/Carer Kits and the Beyond
Blue website 31.06.12
What is Mental Illness?
The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of well-being in
which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses
of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her
community. In this positive sense, mental health is the foundation for individual wellbeing and the effective functioning of a community.
(http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/) Thus mental illness is when
a person is no longer able to function as you would expect with good mental Health.
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing states mental illness
can be defined as a clinically recognisable set of symptoms (relating to mood,
thought, or cognition) or behaviour that is associated with distress and interference
with functions (that is, impairments leading to activity limitations or participation
restrictions).
As such there are a number of illnesses that fall under the broad definition of Mental
Illness such as:








Depression
Anxiety
Bipolar
Schizophrenia
Eating Disorders
Antenatal and Postnatal Mental Health
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Panic disorder and agoraphobia
Noticing signs of Mental Health:
When you notice declining mental health it is imperative that you, and /or the person
you are concerned for visits the GP. The GP can develop a mental health plan that
may incorporate some local services or seeing a specialist such as a psychologist,
psychiatrist or counsellor. Psychologist and counsellors can also be accessed without
a doctor referral.
Sometimes people with a mental illness can have suicidal ideas, self-harm, become
violent or psychotic or attempt suicide; if you notice any of these behaviours it is vital
to ring an ambulance or get the person to Singleton hospital. Suicidal ideas and
serious self-harm are an indicator of increasing mental health problems and a GP
should be consulted immediately. It is also important that as a carer you understand
that if a person becomes violent, and they or others become at risk, the Police may
be called.
Flow Chart for Mental Health Support in Singleton
Mental Illness
Declining Mental Health
Substance Abuse
Your Chemist
Suicidal
Ideas
GP
GP Access After
Hours
1300130147
Community
Health Centre
65 719248
Mental
Violence
or
Psychosis
Health
Carer/Support
Person
Police
Neighbourhood
Centre
65712499
Plan
Lifeline 131114
Specialists
Suicide
attempt
Ambulance
Carer
Assist
Support Group for
Carers and
Consumers of
Mental Health
Support, Information,
Education
Hunter New England
Mental Health Service
Singleton Hospital
Maitland Hospital
Services available in Singleton:

Your General Practitioner (GP)
Your GP is the first person to consult if you think there is a problem that
needs more intense treatment or assessment. Singleton is well served by
medical practices.
Burdekin Park Medical Practice (65721800)
Dangar Medical Practice (65712713)
Fairholme Surgery (65711077),
Raworth Cottage Medical Practice (65711722)
Singleton Heights Medical practice (65731577)
Singleton Medical Centre and Skin Cancer Clinic (6571 1111)

Chemists and Pharmacies
Working closely with the Medical practices are the pharmacies.
Pharmacies can assist with the information, management and administration of
medications. The medication given may have side effects, the pharmacist will
ensure you have the right information and understand the medication that you
have been given.
Blooms the Chemist - 6573 2964 (Shop4/ 108 Blaxland Ave, Singleton Heights)
Chemmart - 6572 2566 (Gowrie Street Mall, Singleton)
Burdekin Park Guardian Pharmacy - 6572 1481 (94 George St, Singleton)
Singleton Pharmacy First - 6571 3202 (122 John St, Singleton)

Singleton Neighbourhood Centre 21 Mary St. Singleton
6571 2499
Services located at the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre:
Lifeline services – telephone counselling Ph. 131114. Face to face
counselling at the centre.
Catholic Care – Individual, couples and children counselling.

Singleton Community Health Centre Boonal Street
Singleton 6571 9248
Office Hours 9.00 – 5.00 Monday to Friday
Clinic Psychologist, Social Worker, Mental Health Clinic – Ph. 4939
2900

Singleton Hospital Dangar Rd, Singleton 6572 2799
 Singleton Youth Venue Corner of Pitt and Bathurst Street
6571 4687
Services located at the Singleton Youth Centre:
Adolescent and Family Counsellor - 6542 5300
Headspace – 4931 1000
Families Relationship Centre – 4016 0566

CS Health Psychology Services 1 Civic Ave, Singleton
6571 9900
CS Health offers independent and confidential psychological
services to the Upper and Lower Hunter Valley Region. CS Health
psychologists have a very broad skill base and work in a range of
therapeutic settings and can provide both individual and couples
sessions for adults, parents, and people with anxiety or
depression.

Singleton Mental Health Support Group
This group provides a forum for carers and consumers to
discuss their experiences. There are often guest speakers.
Meets on the last Friday of each month (except December) at
the Uniting Church Hall, Church St. Singleton 12.00 noon.
Contact Details: Malcolm and Jenny Causley Ph. 6573 1396 or
[email protected]
Supported by the Sunflower Centre – 2 Union St. Newcastle
West 2302
Ph. 4925 2611 Mobile: 0423767468 email:
[email protected]
Supported also by Carer Assist (4968 9268) – Provides
information, education, advocacy and support for people who
care for someone with a mental illness.
Contact: Newcastle Area Office 49252811 or email :
[email protected]
Looking after yourself - Care for your body, mind and spirit.
A carer who cares for himself/herself is better able to care for their loved one.
People who have a mental illness will also benefit from taking measures to
look after the body and mind.
There are many ways to look after yourself:
Relax:
Go fishing at Lake St. Clair
Plan a break away – use respite services if available
Get a massage
Try meditation
Get support:
Attend regular support groups such as Singleton Mental Health
Support group
Visit a psychologist or counsellor
Speak regularly with your GP
Eat regular healthy meals:
Attend local farmers markets for fresh produce
Plan your food ahead so you don’t ‘forget to eat’ or reach for
something unhealthy as a form of comfort
Exercise Regularly:
Go for a walk
Take up yoga
Try Tai Chi
Join a sport team or gym
Get some fresh air:
Try to get out of the house at least once a day
Make some time for yourself to be outside, whether that be walking,
playing with a pet or reading a book
Reduce Stimulants:
Try to reduce or stop alcohol and drug intake
The Singleton Community College has a great range of courses that you
could join such as yoga, tai chi, meditation etc. www.singcc.com
The Singleton community also has a number of gym and sporting clubs
(from tennis to cricket) available. For more information on these clubs
contact Singleton Council (6578 7290).
Other useful resources:
 Beyond Blue: www.beyondblue.org.au
 Sane: www.sane.org/index.php
 Black Dog Institute:
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
 E – Couch:
www.ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome
 Australian Psychological Society:
www.psychology.org.au/community/links/me
ntal_health/
 Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
 Lifeline: 13 11 14
 Carer Assist Newcastle Area Office
49252811
Other Important information: Primary Carer
The Mental Health Act 2007 provides for each patient of a mental health facility (both
inpatient and community) to have a primary carer. At the top of the hierarchy is a guardian,
if one is appointed. Next is a parent if the patient is under 18 years. If neither a guardian nor
a parent is appropriate, the patient is entitled to make a nomination. If no nomination is
made, the primary carer is a spouse (if the relationship is close and continuing) or then any
person who is primarily responsible for providing support or care to the patient (other than
on a commercial basis).
A Primary Carer must be:
Notified of:
 Hospitalisation no later than 24 hours after the person is admitted.
 A mental health inquiry.
 Events affecting the patient when detained in a mental health facility; eg. If the
patient is absent, transferred, discharged, reclassified, ECT is proposed, a surgical
operation is performed.
 The type and dose of medication that the patient is prescribed on request.
A primary carer must be given a copy of the patients discharge summary and be consulted in
relation to discharge planning and treatment planning.
A Primary Carer can:
 Access information without the patient’s consent (unless their nomination is
revoked).
 Make a written request for the patient to be scheduled.
 Make a request for the patient to be discharged. However, the carer must provide a
written undertaking that the patient will be properly taken care of and have the
patient discharged into their care on the order of a magistrate at a mental health
inquiry.
Carers must accept that any adult has the right to refuse treatment.
A Primary Carer cannot be:
Given information that a patient discusses in a therapy session, unless a serious risk of harm
has been identified.
Mental health facilities should endeavour to obtain other contact information, eg telephone
and mobile numbers, particularly for primary carers, so that notifications can be
supplemented as necessary to ensure timely provision of information.