WentWest Stories, STARTTS: Tohan’s Story
The NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) is a non-profit organisation providing culturally appropriate psychological treatment, support and community interventions. STARTTS’ South Sudanese Youth Ambassador (SSYA) Program helps young people increase their mental health literacy, social connections and wellbeing. The program provides ongoing support to a pool of […]
Specialised Care for Young People Experiencing or At Risk of Psychosis
Psychosis can be very frightening for the person experiencing it. People with psychosis have difficulty interpreting the world around them and may experience hallucinations, such as hearing voices that aren’t there. In severe cases, someone with psychosis may be at risk of self-harm, or harming others. About one in every 200 adult Australians will experience […]
New Free Adult Mental Health Centre Opens its Doors in Parramatta
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Head to Health Adult Mental Health Centre (AMHC) in Parramatta. One of just 26 national AMHCs, the Western Sydney hub is one of the first to open its doors to adults experiencing moderate to high mental health needs. Ray Messom, CEO of the Western Sydney […]
The Shed: Social and Emotional Wellbeing for First Nations Peoples
Research shows that almost 50% of the burden of disease for First Nations Australians is due to modifiable risk factors, with mental health and substance use the biggest contributor[i]. Almost a quarter of First Nations Australians also self-report facing a diagnosed mental health or behavioural challenge[ii]. Shifting the narrative on health in Western Sydney begins […]
WentWest Stories, Head to Health: Hawa’s story
Head to Health mental health hubs and referral line have been established to support those who need support with their mental health. The initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Health and all NSW and ACT Primary Health Networks. When Hawa* presented to a Head to Health hub in Western […]
The Health Care Heroes Tackling Rising Rates of Homelessness
People who experience homelessness are at a significantly higher risk of suffering from poor physical and mental health. This is due to multiple, complex barriers such as stigma, health care costs, transport access, service awareness, cultural or linguistic barriers, missing documentation (e.g. Medicare card, permanent address, bank card), or lack of a regular, trusted health […]
WentWest Stories, Head to Health: Pete’s story
Head to Health mental health hubs and referral line have been established to support those who need support with their mental health. The initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Health and all NSW and ACT Primary Health Networks. This year, 73% of people who presented at a mental health service […]
Assessing Mental Health Care Needs: IAR-DST Training
The Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) is a new resource designed to support health professionals assess or estimate the mental health care needs of their patients within a primary care setting. By using a standardised, evidence-based tool to categorise mental health levels, patients can be connected to the most appropriate local […]
WentWest Stories, headfyrst: Carlos’s Story
Salvation Army Youthlink and selected headspace youth mental health centres in Western Sydney are working together to provide the headfyrst program. The collaborative headfyrst project aims to reduce the barriers faced by young people aged 12-25 years in accessing alcohol and other drugs and mental health services in Western Sydney by providing resources, counselling […]
Providing Appropriate Support to Our Western Sydney Aboriginal Community
Currently, we will not hit the target to close the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians by 2031. Almost one-third (31.7%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience high or very high levels of psychological distress, compared to one in eight non-Indigenous Australians (12.3%)[i]. Unfortunately, these mental health needs are […]