Over the past few months, WentWest has brought together a group of NSW Primary Health Networks to collaborate on a joint COVID-19 vaccination and mental health campaign.
Whilst NSW celebrates surpassing 85% double-dose vaccination rates, there is a need to ensure that community members’ ongoing physical and mental health remains a priority. As the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (PHN), WentWest recognised the opportunity to reach beyond the scope of Western Sydney and help support communities in neighbouring regions. WentWest joined forces with South Western Sydney PHN, Nepean Blue Mountains PHN, South Eastern NSW PHN, Northern Sydney PHN, and Central and Eastern Sydney PHN to create a video campaign in 12 languages encouraging community members to get vaccinated and reach out for mental health support. This collective campaign has reached communities across NSW and sets a new standard for multi-regional PHN collaboration.
Celebrating Reaching Vaccine Targets
At the height of the Delta outbreak, general practices were vaccinating 500,000+ people a week across Sydney. As of 8:00pm, 25 October, 85.5% of NSW residents have been fully vaccinated, a figure which will continue to rise. Across NSW, PHNs have been working alongside general practices, Local Health Districts (LHDs), Aboriginal medical services and community pharmacies at the coalface to drive vaccination coverage in the community.
These high vaccination rates mean that NSW residents are physically protected against the risks of COVID-19. However, a rising concern within the primary care sector is protecting the mental health of the community and responding to needs they may have as a result of the pandemic and lockdown.
In a joint statement, PHN CEOs involved in the campaign stated, “This partnership ensures that we are responding to mental health needs in Greater Sydney and surrounding regions which has been the worst impacted by this Delta outbreak. A healthy population is one equipped with the resources to thrive both physically and mentally. As we move into this post-lockdown phase, we need to ensure our community is not only physically protected against the virus through vaccination, but also mentally supported to overcome the challenges of the past 18 months.”
Addressing Mental Health challenges
Communities in Western Sydney, at the centre of the outbreak, proved their resilience during the lockdown and stepped up for vaccinations to protect their community. Now, as normality returns and they can once again visit local businesses, it’s time for them to check in with their own mental health and their loved ones.
The joint video campaign sends a clear message to community members – ‘If you, or someone you know is struggling, speak to a GP, go to the Head to Health Website, or call 1800 595 212. Your mental health and wellbeing depend on it’.
The campaign directs people to the new Head to Health Pop Up initiative, a NSW PHNs and Department of Health project designed to help community members access timely, appropriate care for any mental health concerns. By calling 1800 595 212, community members can speak with a trained mental health professional who will assess their needs and connect them to the best local support services. This may be a regional provider, online or telehealth resource, or a Head to Health Pop Up clinic.
“Taking the time to acknowledge mental health concerns and reach out for support will be a crucial part of our recovery as a state. We need our community to be physically and mentally resilient as we transition back to ‘business as usual’. The pandemic has provided us with innovative opportunities to work with other PHNs and ensure that we are supporting the mental health of not just our individual regions, but of all people across Greater Sydney and surrounds. Collectively, we have helped communities tackle COVID-19. Now, we are here to support them tackle their mental health challenges and improve their wellbeing.” – PHN CEOs.
Sharing Messages in Your Practice
The NSW PHN COVID-19 vaccine and mental health campaign launched this week. Multi-lingual videos and other mental health resources can be found at: https://wentwest.com.au/check-in-on-your-wellbeing/
More information about Head to Health Pop Up services can be accessed via the Head to Health Pop Up website: https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/popup
Patients can be directed to the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-clinic-finder
Thank you to all those who contributed to the video campaign and our partners at South Western Sydney PHN, Nepean Blue Mountains PHN, South Eastern NSW PHN, Northern Sydney PHN, and Central and Eastern Sydney PHN for collaborating on this initiative.
Thank you to all GPs and health professionals in Western Sydney who have helped our region achieve its vaccination targets and keep our community safe. As we move into this next phase of the pandemic, primary care professionals will continue to play an integral role in improving physical and mental health in our region.
This information is correct as of 28 October 2021.