Mental Health Services

Mental health servicesinBankstownDecember 2008

Mental health servicesinBankstownBankstown Community Mental Health ServiceServicing the Local Government Area of BankstownAddress: Bankstown Community Health Centre36 - 38 Raymond Street, BankstownPhone: 9780 2777Fax: 9780 2888Business hours: 8.30am - 5pm, Monday - FridayThis resource was developed by the Mental Health PromotionProgram, Health Promotion Service, SSWAHSPhone: 9515 9055December 2008The information in this directory is correct at the time of printing, but may change without notice.1

Community mental health servicesBankstown Community Health Centre intake servicePhone 9780 2777 (Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm)The intake service is an initial point of contact for all people within the area.The intake team provides information about mental health as well as referralsto the most appropriate treatment and assessment services. Call the numberabove and ask to speak to the intake person for more information regardingany of the following services located at the Bankstown Community HealthCentre:• Aboriginal Mental Health WorkersAssist with care coordination, direct clinical services, education, advocacy,consultation and liaison with other services.• Adult Mental Health TeamAssessment, treatment and care coordination services for adultsexperiencing a range of mental health problems such as psychosis,schizophrenia, depression, mood disorders and severe anxiety. Medicaltreatment and support is provided for families and carers. Groups are alsoconducted on how to manage depression and emotions. Monday to Friday9am-5pm excluding public holidays.• Anxiety ClinicIndividual and group therapy for outpatients experiencing significantanxiety. The anxiety clinic is located in Bankstown Hospital. Contact theclinic directly on 9722 8992.• Bilingual CounsellorsArabic bilingual staff are employed by the mental health service.In addition, some staff speak other languages.2

• Consumer WorkersConsumer workers have personal experience of living with a mental illness.They are employed by the mental health service to support and advocatefor consumers as well as providing information on rights and responsibilities.• Early Psychosis Intervention ServiceSpecialist treatment for young people (under 25 years) who have first onsetpsychosis.• Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (ICAMHS)Specialist service for young people (5-18 years) who are experiencingdepression, anxiety, changes in moods or ways of thinking, problembehaviours, relationship issues, school or conduct problems, drug andalcohol problems, eating disorders, or sexual identity problems. The teamoffers acute assessments when necessary, as well as support, counsellingand links to appropriate specialist services.• Mental Health Intensive TeamAcute and crisis mental health care in people’s homes and at the communityhealth centre. Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm and 10am-6.30pm onweekends and public holidays.• Rehabilitation TeamA range of individual and group programs including social and leisureactivities, vocational assessments and work programs for people withmental illness requiring assistance with living in the community.3

Support servicesThe Corner Youth Health ServiceGeneral health support and counselling for young people (12-18 years) andtheir families and carers who live, work or attend school in the Bankstown area.The service is located at 101 Restwell Street, Bankstown. Phone 9796 8633.Carer AssistAssistance for friends and family members (carers) who want information andsupport for caring for someone with a mental illness. Also help in buildingsupport systems, learning how to live with someone who has a mental illness,setting boundaries and caring for themselves. Phone 9750 9744.Drug Health ServicesAssessment, counselling, detoxification and inpatient treatment aimed atreducing or minimising harm associated with alcohol and other drug use.Phone the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Access Line on 9616 8586.GROWSupport for people recovering from a mental illness who want to work onpersonal growth issues. Weekly self-help group meetings are held. Forinformation about the group closest to you phone 1800 558 268.Headspace (Brain and Mind Research Institute)A range of mental health services aimed at young people (12-25 years). Theprogram is covered by the Medicare scheme as part of a mental health careplan developed by a general practitioner or other medical practitioner. Phone4628 5878 or visit www.headspace.org.auHealth Care Interpreter ServiceFace-to-face, telephone and Auslan Interpreting. To use this service, ask ahealth care worker to make an appointment. Phone 9828 6088.4

Housing and Support Initiative (HASI)Accommodation and support for people who require various levels of care.Referral required. Phone:• Aftercare on 9752 9892 for low level support up to 3 hours per week• NEAMI on 9798 2111 or visit www.neami.org.au for high level supportup to 5 hours per day• New Horizons on 9490 0000 or visit www.newhorizons.net.au for veryhigh level up to 8 hours per day.Karitane - Jade HouseA specialised day stay and counselling unit for women who are pregnant orhave a baby up to 12 months of age, who have a diagnosis of, or who areat risk of developing a pregnancy-related mood or anxiety disorder. Phone9754 2655 or visit www.karitane.com.au. For 24 hour telephonecounselling phone 1300 227 464.Mental Health Advocacy ServiceA service of the Legal Aid Commission of NSW which offers free legal adviceon mental health matters. Phone 9745 4277.Mental Health Respite ServicesRespite care for families and carers of people with a mental illness or anintellectual disability. Help is provided by giving carers the opportunity to havea break from their caring role. Phone the Commonwealth Carer RespiteCentre on 1800 052 222.Personal Helpers and Mentors ProgramIncreases opportunities for recovery for people who have a diagnosed (orundiagnosed) mental illness who are having difficulties with daily activities.Phone New Horizons on 9490 0000 or go to www.newhorizons.net.au5

Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and TraumaSurvivors (STARTTS)Personal support programs, counselling, psychiatric services and supportgroups for people who have survived torture or trauma and are refugees orasylum seekers. Phone 9794 1900.Transcultural Mental Health CentreInformation, referral and support groups for people with a mental illness andtheir carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The centreis located at Cumberland Hospital Campus, 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta.Phone the intake service on 1800 648 911 or visit www.dhi.gov.auVeterans’ and Veterans’ Family Counselling ServiceA specialised, free, confidential and Australia-wide service to AustralianVeterans and their families. Phone 1800 011 046.When to contact local mental health servicesYou may recognise that you or someone you know is experiencing a mentalhealth problem. This can include changes in a person’s thinking, emotionalstate or behaviour, which can affect their daily life. These changes disrupt theperson’s ability to work or carry out their usual personal relationships.People are often too afraid to access services simply because they feel thatthey will be judged in a negative way by the people around them, or be treatedaccording to the stigma that surrounds mental illness. This is unfortunate aseffective treatments are available for mental health problems. Treatment andsupport provided at the early stages of illness can reduce suffering andimprove quality of life.How to obtain helpOne of the first options is to explain the symptoms and concerns to the localgeneral practitioner (GP). Some symptoms of mental illness can be caused by6

a physical illness or medication so it is important to eliminate physical causesfirst. A GP is able to make referrals to a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellordepending on the person’s need. A GP is also able to prescribe medication.For referral during business hoursContact Bankstown Community Mental Health Service on 9780 2777 andask to speak to the Intake Worker. The call will then be taken by a healthprofessional who can provide initial advice and referral to the mostappropriate service.For urgent referrals after hoursContact Bankstown Hospital on 9722 8000 and ask for the Mental HealthCrisis Team.Emergency situationsIf a person is threatening to harm themselves or others, contact the Policeon 000 and/or if emergency medical attention is required contact theAmbulance Service on 000.Inpatient unitsThe Acute Inpatient Service at Banks House provides a place of safety andtreatment for people in an acute stage of a mental illness. Banks Houseconsists of a general admission unit and a special observation area. Theservice is located in Bankstown Hospital.Patient information and confidentialityHealth staff are bound by law (NSW Mental Health Act 2007) and a strictcode of conduct to treat all patient information in a confidential manner.7

Mental Health First AidMental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mentalhealth problem or who is having a mental health crisis. First aid is given untilprofessional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves. The aims ofMental Health First Aid are to:1. Preserve life where a person may be in danger to themselves or others2. Provide help to prevent the mental health problem developing into a moreserious state3. Promote recovery of good mental health4. Provide comfort to a person suffering a mental illness.Mental Health First Aid Action PlanA ssess risk of suicide or self harmL isten non-judgementallyGive reassurance and informationEE ncourage appropriate professional helpncourage self-help strategiesFor more information visit www.mhfa.com.au8