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>Mental Health
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Mental Health
Mission Statement
Western Wellbeing is the Mental Health Program of the AWGPN. Our purpose is to provide a responsive clinical service for people with mental health issues referred by GPs. We take a positive approach to helping people develop the skills, creativity and confidence to feel more in charge of their own lives, and to improve their relationships with others.
We treat mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, and we assist people to live better with long term conditions such as bipolar disorder or psychosis. This includes helping people with stress, grief, trauma, and current life difficulties.
We are not an emergency mental health service; we take referrals promptly and allocate clients to a mental health clinician as soon as possible, however it is usually from two to several weeks before the client has their first appointment. Therefore if the situation is very urgent or an emergency, see below for information.
Mental Health Emergency or Urgent Situation
(AWGPN is not an Emergency Service)
There are several resources which can be accessed by people experiencing acute and severe distress due to mental health problems:
- Mental Health Services (ACIS) - Ph: 13 14 65
This is a 24 hour telephone triage service, staffed by mental health clinicians. Anyone can call this number for advice and guidance about how to seek treatment for mental health problems. Workers from this team do not see clients themselves but take initial referrals and then refer the person to the appropriate services based on the regional area in which the client lives.
Not all calls to this service will result in a referral to mental health teams; other advice may be given.
- South Australian Police - Ph: 000
Call the police if there is an immediate life-threatening situation. The police are the most appropriate service to call if protection from violence is needed.
- South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) - Ph: 000
If a person has harmed themselves and needs urgent medical intervention, calling an ambulance is appropriate.
- Accident & Emergency Departments
A person who is experiencing extreme distress or is unable to maintain their own safety can seek help through their local Emergency Department. All the major public hospitals have mental health clinicians who see patients in Emergency Departments. Depending on the urgency of the situation, the time of day, and how busy the service is, there may be a wait.
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Emergency
During office hours (9am-5pm) young people up to the age of 18 who have mental health issues that require urgent help may contact their regional Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service.
- Northern (Elizabeth) - 8252 0133
- Eastern (Paradise) - 8207 8999
- Western (Port Adelaide) - 8341 1222
- Southern (Flinders) - 8204 5412
- Southern (Marion) - 8298 5412
Outside of office hours (9am-5pm) young people can seek urgent help by phoning the Womens and Childrens Hospital on 8161 7000 and asking the switchboard operator to page the after hours Mental Health Nurse; or by attending the Hospital Emergency Department.
- Lifeline Australia - Ph: 13 11 14
Lifeline is a 24 hour telephone counseling service. Anyone can call Lifeline for counseling and information about other support services.
- Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) - Ph: 1300 131 340
This service provides 24-hour telephone information, counselling and a referral service for the general public, concerned family and friends, and health professionals. ADIS is staffed by trained professionals with experience in the alcohol and other drug field. ADIS also provides information about how to access Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA).
Emergency matters relating to Drug and Alcohol use such as overdoses and extreme intoxication should be referred to an Accident & Emergency department &/or South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS).
Refer a Patient to AWGPN Mental Health Service
Contact the Mental Health staff for more information
ATAPS
This program is funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aging, and this enables the AWGPN to contract psychologists and other mental health clinicians to provide 6 FREE counselling services to the Western community via a GP referral.
Waiting List
Waiting lists are approximately 2 weeks long.
Service and Location
The service operates from our office 64A Woodville Road, Woodville. We also have clinicians working out of Glenelg North and The Parks Community Centre.
Clinicians
- John Gould (Psychologist)
- John Gurr (Psychologist)
- Lina Sohner (Psychologist)
Shared Care
Who is suitable?
The Mental Health Shared Care 2 program aims to assist GPs in the treatment and management of patients under their care living with severe and/or complex mental health needs. The program also aims to improve collaboration between services with a primary focus of early intervention for people with emerging severe mental illness.
Patients with severe and/or complex Mental Health problems. These include but are not limited to:
- Early Intervention for clients at risk of developing severe and complex mental health problems
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Severe Depression and anxiety
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who are at high risk of self harm or 'risk' to others
- Patients who are attending other funded mental health clinics/services
- Medico-legal issues
- Patients with significant neurological impairment
Waiting List
Currently our waiting list is under 2 weeks
Referral Forms and GP Information
Service and Location
One on one and group therapy sessions are run from a variety of locations in the western area including GP practices, Seaton Central, Second Story, Diamond Clubhouse and GP Plus. Clinicians may also be able to see clients at individual GP practices upon negotiation. Clients will be informed of venue at time of scheduling.
Clinicians
- Mark Voce (Mental Health Nurse)
- Rebecca Talbot-Male (Occupational Therapist)
- Lina Sohner (Psychologist)
Other Mental Health Services in Western Adelaide
AWGPN Mental Health Network
The AWGPN Mental Health Network is a forum for all those connected with mental health and related issues in Western Adelaide to make contacts and share information about projects, programs and services. GPs, Mental Health Services, Consumer and Care Groups, and non-Government Organisations all attend the Network.
We meet once every 6 weeks on a Wednesday, from 12.30pm-2.00pm. As well as topic discussions, there is time for informal networking over a light lunch. New staff and representatives from new programs are especially welcome to come and introduce themselves to colleagues and peers in the West.
How to join the Western Mental Health Network
You can join the network by calling our Head Office on 8244 3822 and asking for an application form. To join the network you must be a GP, practice or health service in the Western suburbs.
Contact Us
Emma Aiston Branch Office Administrator
Phone 8243 0480
Fax 8243 0486
Address 64A Woodville Road, Woodville 5011
Email emma.aiston@awgpn.org.au
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