Family and Carer News

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1 Family and Carer News Volume 5 Issue 4 Term 4, 2016 Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Mental Health Month 2016 Inside this issue: October is Mental Health Month. The aim of the Mental Health Month campaign is to promote the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing and to reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Raising awareness about mental health, and reducing the stigma, means people are more likely to look for help earlier when issues arise and this leads to better outcomes for individuals, families and the community. This year s theme for Mental Health Month is Learn and Grow. The theme was chosen to encourage people and communities to learn more about mental health and use that knowledge to grow personally and take control of their mental wellbeing. In this newsletter you ll find information about some of the activities taking place in our area, and beyond, for Mental Health Month. Workshops 2 MHM Events 3 Lithgow 4 Mindfulness 4 NDIS Info 5 Local services and groups 6 Go online for more information for family members and carers mental-health/families-friends-and-carers

2 Page 2 Family and Carer News Courses for Families & Carers Penrith Thursdays November 3rd, 10th, 17th 10:00am 12:30pm 3 part series Emotional Intelligence 1. A journey in self-awareness 2. A journey in social awareness 3. Finding optimism December Tue 13th & Wed 14th 9:00am 5:00pm Mental Health First Aid Over two days participants explore common mental health problems, and how to provide help until appropriate professional treatment is given or the crisis resolves. Lawson Thursdays October 13th, 20th, 27th 10:00am 12:30pm 3 part series Emotional Intelligence 1. A journey in self-awareness 2. A journey in social awareness 3. Finding optimism Thursday 1st December 10:30am-12:00pm Values: Know what matters A short workshop to help carers think about what their values are and how to live in a way that reflects them. Lithgow Friday 25th November 10:00am 1:00pm Supporting Recovery A one-day workshop designed to help carers and friends support their loved one on a journey of recovery from mental illness. For more information and to register, call Family & Carer Program - Uniting Recovery:

3 Volume 5 Issue 4 Page 3 NBMLHD launches Mental Health Month The mental health service launched Mental Health Month in our local health district with a Family affair at Nepean Hospital. There were entertainers, stalls, food, and a photo booth. We also used the occasion to officially unveil the mosaic artwork Piecing it Together. The Chief Executive of NBMLHD, Kay Hyman spoke of the importance of working collaboratively with clients, consumers and their family members. One consumer who contributed to the artwork, talked about how valuable it was for him to work alongside other consumers, family members and staff, and how by working in partnership we can achieve something we couldn t achieve working on our own. This was a great message for the day. Wellness Walk 2016 draws crowd of 1200 There was a great turnout this year for the annual walk for Mental Health in Sydney. The walk is a family-friendly event that is now in its 4th year. The walk starts and finishes at Government House and includes a walk across the Harbour Bridge. There is a Wellness Festival in the grounds of Government House at the end. Eating Disorders Dispelling the myths Approximately 9% of Australians will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Way Ahead, the Mental Health Association of NSW, is holding a free public forum to address this serious and complex issue. There will be an expert panel including leading psychiatrist Dr Mark Cross, representatives from the Butterfly Foundation, and people with their own lived experience of eating disorders and their family members. The forum is on Monday, 31 October at 5:30pm, at Woolloomooloo. For more information, visit: WayAhead has created a 12 minute video that presents personal stories, facts and where to get help with Eating Disorders. The video is currently running at Parramatta library.

4 Page 4 Family and Carer News Learn and Grow Lithgow Family Fun Day Event Date: Friday 28th October Time: 11am to 2pm Venue: Lake Pillans Wetlands, Lithgow Traditional smoking ceremony Tree planting ceremony BBQ lunch provided Health Information Tent Free goodie bags Mindfulness for Beginners Workshop When: Monday, 31st October,10am-12 noon Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing your awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations. In this single session the presenters will give you an idea of simple mindfulness exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine. Where: Presbyterian Church Hall, 160 Macquarie Rd, Springwood Cost: Gold coin donation Bookings: Boys on Social Skills B.O.S.S Breakthru Family Mental Health Support Service has an exciting program for young males with a parent or guardian in the Penrith region that helps them with feelings and emotions, social skills, anxiety, physical health and wellbeing. When: Thursdays fortnightly Where: Breakthru, Lawson St. Penrith Further information: Contact Matthew

5 Volume 5 Issue 4 Page 5 Come and Share a Cup of Tea In recognition of the Year of the Family, the Katoomba Community Mental Health Team warmly invites all family and carers to a morning tea. 16 November, Waratah Street Katoomba 10:00am 12:00pm Come along and meet other family members and staff. We would like to hear about the workshops or information sessions you would be interested in attending in NDIS INFORMATION SESSION for Carers QUESTIONS & INFORMATION OCTOBER 27, 9:30 11:30 RESPITE FOR CARERS Derby Street Penrith Carer Heather Gwilliam will talk about her NDIS experience Please come along prepared with the questions you would like and need answering. Morning Tea will be included for more information contact: Faye Faye.Oldfield@richmondpra.org.au OR

6 Local Services for Mental Health Carers Mental Health Respite Carer Support Service Respite Support for Carers Service Mental Health Respite Program Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre Nepean Freecall: and after hours emergency only Mental Health Respite Program Lithgow Mental Health Carer Support Groups PENRITH Meets 3rd Wednesday/month, 5:15 7pm Mental Health Centre Nepean Hospital LITHGOW Meets 4th Thursday/month, 1:00 3:00pm Upstairs Meeting Room, Lithgow Library, 157 Main St. Lithgow KATOOMBA Women only Meets Last Friday/month, 10:15am 1pm Blue Mountains Women s Resource Centre, 124 Lurline St. Katoomba LAWSON Men only Meets 1st Wed/month; 6:30 8:30pm Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre Phone David: OCD Group Bi-monthly support group for consumers and carers. Nepean Hospital, Penrith. Phone: ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUPS Phone: for more information or visit programs/anxiety-support-groups Carolyn Durrant Family & Carer Coordinator Nepean Blue Mountains Mental Health Service carolyn.durrant@health.nsw.gov.au Mobile: