Centre for Mental Health

Programs

In NSW, there are a range of strategies, delivered through government and/or community services, that address mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention.

These mental health programs are developed in collaboration with the community, primary care, schools and other sectors, and are supported by specialist mental health expertise and services.

Parenting programs

NSW Health is one of five NSW Government agencies delivering programs under the Families NSW whole-of-government initiative to help children in NSW have a good start in life.

Parenting Program for Mental Health

The Parenting Program for Mental Health aims to prevent behavioural and emotional problems in young children in NSW. Parenting programs can have a role in preventing the development of mental health problems and disorders.

The Program provides statewide coordination to assist Area Health Services in implementing and evaluating evidence-based parenting programs. This includes the provision of accredited facilitator training in a range of parenting programs, such as Triple P (Positive Parenting Program).

>> The NSW Triple P Training Procedure Manual.

• Principles and Actions for Services and People Working with Children of Parents with a Mental Illness
  Provides guidance for both organisations and individuals - the culmination of an extensive review of the literature and of consultations with parents who have a mental illness, their carers and children, service providers and experts.
• Parenting
  Tips, advice, guidelines and resources for parents.

Safe Start

NSW Health initiative to train health workers to provide psychosocial assessment and depression screening for all women during pregnancy and the first two years of parenting. This is to identify and refer vulnerable families who are at risk of, or experiencing mental health problems. It focuses on early intervention and access to care and appropriate management of risk factors for mental health problems.

School-Link

School-Link is a collaborative initiative with the Department of Education and Training to improve the mental health of children and young people in NSW.

Child and adolescent mental health services and schools work to promote mental health, prevent mental health problems and support students with mental health problems.

Training programs for mental health workers and school and TAFE counsellors is provided to enhance skills in the recognition, intervention planning, treatment, support and prevention of mental health problems in adolescence, including co-existing mental disorders and problematic substance abuse.

• School-Link Training Program Evaluation
• Kids Matter: Australian Primary Schools Mental Health Initiative

Early psychosis

Early psychosis services have been established in metropolitan Area Health Services and increasingly in rural NSW. Evidence shows that preventing and intervening early for young people who are developing psychosis can dramatically improve outcomes. Early intervention can lessen disability and disruption to school or work for the young person, lower the risk of relapse, and reduce family disruption and distress.

• Sane Australia
  Helpline, innovative programs and campaigns to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their family and friends.
• Kids Help Line
  Free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
• Reach Out!
  Web-based service to improve young people's mental health and wellbeing by providing support information and referrals in a format that appeals to young people.

Suicide prevention

Suicide is a tragedy and a serious public health problem. A suicide death can have an enormous impact on people associated with the person who dies. Families, friends and the community as a whole are affected.

A diversity and accumulation of social circumstances and psychological factors, such as unemployment, alcohol and drug use, personal histories of physical and/or sexual abuse, family discord and mental health problems and disorders, especially depression, may lead people to attempt suicide and prevention strategies need to take these factors into account.

Preventing suicide is the responsibility of the whole community, government organisations, health and welfare agencies, and institutions.

While not all suicide deaths can be prevented, effective and appropriate early intervention at the right time can prevent many suicide deaths.

NSW Health is coordinating a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach to suicide prevention, in consultation with 16 other NSW Government Departments, Area Health Services, non-government organisations, and community leaders.

We Can All Make A Difference: NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy was released in 1999.

• Suicide: We can all make a difference
• Suicide in NSW: We need to know more - Data Report

Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI)

HASI is an innovative program that ensures stable housing linked to a range of levels of specialist support for people with a mental illness. HASI is based on a three-way partnership between NSW Health, the Department of Housing and the non-government organisation (NGO) sector. HASI provides practical assistance, intensive psychosocial rehabilitation, clinical care, and secure housing, along with opportunities, options and hope to people who have a mental illness.

• Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI): Stage 1 Evaluation Report