The Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities Initiative is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, commencing in July 2007.  The initiative provides funding to build the capacity of drought affected communities to respond to the psychological impact of drought. Three activities delivered by the initiative include:

1-2 self referred meetings with a mental health support counsellor.  These meetings will provide:

• The opportunity to discuss the issues of most concern to you
• Provide education on what behaviour changes could mean
• Discuss strategies for managing changes
• The support counsellor can also identify and link you in with any other appropriate networks
• There is no cost for this service and no referrals are required
• Any person who is impacted by the effects of the drought is eligible to access this service
• To schedule a meeting simply contact MGPN by telephone on 6953 6454 and state you would like an appointment with a Drought Support Counsellor
• A MGPN staff member will identify the support counsellor closest to you
• You can expect a call from the support counsellor within 1 week to schedule an initial meeting
• Attend initial meeting with a support counsellor at your nearest centre: Griffith, Leeton, Narrandera, Hillston, Coleambally, Hay, Finley, Tocumwal, Berrigan and Jerilderie

2. Raising community awareness

• MGPN has developed a referral pathway document that outlines the local psychologists and counsellors in the region, with a brief outline of how to access the service and also contact details. (CLICK HERE to see the document)
• MGPN Psychologists have been attending local community events including DPI Farm BBQ’s, Farm Fairs and Mental Health information stands to meet with local community members and provide information o local referral pathways to psychology and counselling services as well as disseminating Beyondblue mental health resources.  If you wish to invite MGPN psychologists to any of your local events contact Janine Bleakley on 6953 6454.
• MGPN have facilitated local businesses in their registration to become a Beyondblue Information Kiosk.  For a list of businesses and locations of local Beyondblue Information Kiosks refer to http://info.beyondblue.org.au/rain/DroughtAssistMap.htm.  For inquiries into registering to become a Beyondblue Information Kiosk contact Janine Bleakley on 02 6953 6454.
• MGPN in conjunction with community leaders are developing a Mental Health Drought response plan which will become a community document and mental health work plan for the community during times of drought.

3. Education and training for business and community leaders
Rural Workforce Breakfasts – communities working together and looking out for each other
For many farmers the prolonged drought has brought change to many areas of their life. We may find more farmers, farm workers and their families at risk of experiencing depression.  Service providers and businesses are often in the front line for identifying potential mental health concerns.  Often mental health workers do not have the opportunity to link in with people until they have registered for support.
In discussions with service providers I have found that farmers are showing signs of (and at times openly discussing) distress to workers with whom they have rapport but who are not mental health trained.  The aim of the breakfast is to provide you and your staff with tools to confidently provide individuals with information regarding access to mental health services and support.
The topics to be covered at the breakfast include:

• Identifying signs
• What are the pathways to support
• What can you say to someone you are worried about
• Looking after yourself

These Breakfasts are being held around the Murrumbidgee region until Mid May 2009 and there are still a limited number of spaces left in some of the breakfasts.  For inquiries and/or register your interest please contact Janine Bleakley on 02 6953 6454.

Rural Workforce Breakfasts Presentation Preview

Farmer Breakfasts – Tractor Maintenance
Health is precious and requires regular attention throughout our lifetime. Both physical and mental health is important for us to function well and to enjoy our desired activities, provide for our family, and spend quality time with our family and friends.
With tractors and other machinery, we cannot take for granted that they will work at their desired performance without giving attention to maintenance and repairs. The same applies to our body. In order for our body to give us the desired performance, we also need to make time to provide it with maintenance and possible repairs (medications and medical procedures). Some maintenance can be self administered by giving your body a nutritious diet, keeping attention on one’s alcohol and nicotine consumption, and making time for sleep and exercise. However, some maintenance will require you to have a brief medical check up by your local doctor. This breakfast aims to provide information on some strategies for self administered maintenance. It is planned for these breakfasts to be held from Mid May 2009 until 30 June 2009.  For inquiries and/or register your interest please contact Janine Bleakley on 02 6953 6454.

Tractors Maintenance Presentation Preview