Gippsland Region

This covers an area from Phillip Island to Mallacoota—the largest region in the state.

Some of the services offered by the MHPO in Gippsland include:

• Education and Training—covering a wide range of mental health related issues to health, education and welfare services, non-government organisations (NGO’s), service organisations, and other groups.
• Consultation and Liaison—provided to health, welfare, and education services upon request.
• Community Development—a range of community development activities focused on improving mental health awareness, service delivery, and access for young people.
• Clinical Services—including running a wilderness-based adolescent camp program for young people at risk of suicide/self-harm.

While still remaining part of child and adolescent mental health services in 2003 the MHPO position has been co-located with the new Primary Mental Health and Early Intervention Team. This will enable a shared role in education and training, particularly with the new Early Intervention (Psychosis) worker. Based in Sale, which is geographically central in Gippsland, it is hoped that this move will create new opportunities for community development and mental health promotion activities.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Currently the MHPOI in Gippsland is involved in a range of activities including.-

Mind Matters

As a member of the Gippsland reference groups for this program the MHPO is assisting with the dissemination and delivery of this important mental health promotion resource in secondary schools throughout the region. For further details about the Mind Matters package/resources go to www.curriculum.edu.au/mindmatters

ASIST

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is hosted regularly throughout the region. This highly recommended two-day training program is auspiced by Lifeline Australia and has been well evaluated. For training dates please see the calender of events.

National Suicide Prevention Strategy

Latrobe Regional Hospital in conjunction with Kilmany Family Care have a youth suicide prevention project currently underway in the South Gippsland region. This involves the implementation of a high-risk adolescent referral protocol, information and training components, and an adolescent camp program. For further information please contact
the Gippsland MHPO.

Mental Health First Aid

This strategy for mental health literacy is being delivered across our region via our Primary Mental Health and Early Intervention Initiative. The MHPO has a specific focus on those involved with young people 0-18yrs of age, such as, schools and agencies involved with this group.

For more information on this researched and national training please go to the Mental Health First Aid website.