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March 2018
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CEO Welcome
It's hard to believe that we are in Autumn already, time certainly does fly. As you can see the teams have once again been very busy at HelpingMinds. 

We have actively been working on The HelpingMinds 'Reflect' Reconciliation Action Plan, which we plan to launch during National Reconciliation Week. The team here thoroughly appreciated Danny Ford from Kambarang Services taking the time to talk to us about Aboriginal Culture and we will certainly be engaging in more similar events over the coming year.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme has been in the headlines in recent weeks, regarding some shortfalls in the system. A number of HelpingMinds clients will be affected by these changes and we will do our utmost to support them in other ways. Clients that are eligible for NDIS support will still be able to access a wide range of services through HelpingMinds and we are now rolling this out in Regional WA.

To ensure that HelpingMinds are able to support our clients as much as possible, we are collaborating with other organisations who can provide supports that we don't offer and vice versa. We held our inaugural Networking event in February to open up the communication channels for these potential future relationships. 

Our leadership team have been working  on our new Strategic Plan for 2018 - 2021 which will be released publicly in the next few weeks. I'm pleased to say that our purpose and mission still stay true to our grass root beliefs.

Purpose
By developing hope we support people in our communities.

Mission
To support individual and family recovery, making a positive difference in the community and mental health sector by delivering quality services, education and advocacy.


Debbie Childs
CEO, HelpingMinds  
Good Healing Place
Recently HelpingMinds engaged with local Aboriginal artist Nerolie Bynder Blurton to create a piece of work for our organisation. Nerolie far exceeded our expectations with this beautiful piece which will play an important part in HelpingMinds story and branding.The piece is titled Good Healing Place, and it depicts the healing of families and giving life back to people.

Nerolie’s explanation of the story can be found here

If you would like to know more about Nerolie please visit her facebook page 
Inaugural sundowner networking event

HelpingMinds recently invited a number of other organisations to our inaugural summer sundowner at The Backlot Studios in West Perth. The audience heard from Hon. Alanna Clohesy, HelpingMinds CEO Debbie Childs, and Deputy CEO Ian Ludlow.

"Our Stories" which is a collection of narratives from people who have been affected by mental health issues was shown to the audience. Many organisations were enlightened by the films and it led to many discussions as to how we can best collaborate in order to provide the best support possible to all of our clients.
Workplace Wellbeing

HelpingMinds has been rolling out the Workplace Wellness Seminar with the team at Rentwest Solutions, Perth Property Management.

We had a great discussion about mental health and how to identify and assist someone who might be struggling, as well as the various coping strategies you can use to help overcome stress in the workplace.

For more information about the program visit our website.

 

School holiday program
Once again the January School Holiday Program was full of children who had great fun participating in a number of activities. Activities included yoga, team building activities, communication strategies, arts and crafts, managing negative feelings, conflict resolution and healthy ways to cope with anger.

The next school holiday program is currently being developed. If you would like to be kept informed about the various programs that we have running across WA please click here 

What's On
There are a wide range of groups, workshops and events on across all of the HelpingMinds offices. including Yoga, Carers Cafe, Expressive Therapies and Gardening Groups.

To find out what's on near you have a look on the HelpingMinds facebook event page or on the website.

 

Changes to some of HelpingMinds services
You may have read a few articles recently in the press about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the re-profiling of carer funding programs. HelpingMinds deliver two programs that are currently funded by the Commonwealth:
  • PHaMs (Personal Helpers and Mentors Services) 
  • MHR:CS Mental Health Respite: Carer Support
It has been announced by the Government that the funding for both of these programs will be transitioned into the NDIS by 2019 and service delivery will cease. Whilst many clients that are benefiting currently from these services will transition into the NDIS, many clients won't be eligible to receive an NDIS plan and will no longer be able to access personal mentoring and support, respite holidays, pamper days, sporting activities and many other respite events and activities. 

We are aware that this may raise concerns for some, and if you wish to talk to any of our team about what this may mean for you or a loved one please do get in touch with us on 9427 7100 or info@helpingminds.org.au and quote "Respite and PHaMs changes"

Alternatives to Suicide Program 2018 

Alternatives to Suicide is an innovative peer-led suicide prevention approach from the Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community (WMRLC) in the USA. The WA Steering Committee is pleased to bring Sera Davidow and Caroline Mazel-Carlton to Perth to follow up presentations previously made in Perth in February 2017.

WMRLC creates conditions that support recovery at both the individual and community level through trauma-sensitive peer supports and the development of a regional network. They believe that human relationships are at the centre of what heal people who have experienced extreme emotional states, trauma, mental health diagnoses and a variety of other challenges in life. Their lived experience and ‘humanness’ is what unites them. Their stories, collective wisdom and strength are what guide them and their community to wellness. You can view further information about Alternatives to Suicide events that are in Perth during March 2018

What you may not know about antipsychotics
Curtin University and the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum recently joined forces to create a Critical Literature Review with the aim to provide information on antipsychotics and their use, so that individuals and their families can make informed treatment choices. Part of this review resulted in a booklet guide for carers and consumers.

The guide provides
  • information about antipsychotics
  • the evidence base underpinning their use
  • the risks they carry
  • alternative responses to psychosis in order to promote informed decision making

The guide can be found here 
Antipsychotics  - What you may not know about.
A guide for people taking antipsychotic drugs and their supporters

Further background information about the review can be found here

We appreciate that some of the information in the guide could cause distress.
Please contact HelpingMinds on 9427 7100 if you need to talk after reading it. 
 

Moving Forward
Leonie Walker, HelpingMinds Family Support Worker was recently inspired by a web workshop by Sonia Ricotti. Leonie has reproduced the main points below which we thought made for some useful reading.
 
“Moving Forward” – inspired by Sonia Ricotti

Step 1. Conscious Mind
  • To shift how you feel in any given situation you need to be aware of your thoughts
  • Awareness – observation of your thoughts; it is your thinking that causes your suffering 
  • What are you telling yourself right now? What are you thinking about right now?
  • When you can understand that it is not the circumstances but the thoughts about the circumstances you’re experiencing that make you suffer you can change your thinking.
  • You have a choice – what is the story you are telling yourself about your situation
  • Is this story/thinking of benefit to you, and to the people you care about?
  • Surrender to what is – bring yourself fully present with something that is present. Can I accept the situation the way it is?
  • We cannot change something until we can accept it – no need to analyze it
Step 2. Subconscious Mind
  • We don’t manifest what we want, we manifest what we believe – limiting beliefs are the subconscious blocks
  • Limiting beliefs are revealed when we pay more attention to the thoughts and feelings we are experiencing. Check that what they are telling you is ‘true’. Limiting beliefs are not ‘true’.

Step 3. Our Energy
  • Choose your friends carefully – hang out with people who lift you up
  • Create your own “circle of light” 
  • Forgive – when you don’t forgive, the only person you are hurting is yourself

The past doesn’t exist except in your mind - The past is a memory
 
  • Bring yourself back into the present moment
  • Choose to let go of the past – it can’t be changed
  • Take time out to reflect, meditate, to develop clarity and to build intuition

Aboriginal cultural competency training 
Staff at HelpingMinds recently participated in Cultural Awareness training with the wonderful Danny Ford from Kambarang Services. It was a very insightful and enriching day for our staff and we would like to thank Danny for sharing his wealth of knowledge with us all. Some useful links are here if you would like to learn some more about Aboriginal culture.
 

HelpingMinds on social media
HelpingMinds are on a number of different social media platforms including
We would love to get your feedback about how best we can communicate with you through these channels. Click on our survey to tell us more.

Youth Mental Health First Aid
 

The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is for adults working or living with adolescents (those aged between 12 and 18 years), however, the course can be relevant for those helping people who are a little younger or older. This course is particularly suitable for parents, teachers, sports coaches, and youth workers.

What the course covers:

The course teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Course participants learn about adolescent development, the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people, where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.

For more information about the course click here or to get in touch with our Health Promotion team please email.

Are you or a loved one eligible for an NDIS plan?
What is the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)?

The NDIS is a National Scheme designed to provide support to Australians with a disability as well as their families and carers. Eligible participants will receive a personalised plan that focuses on their specific goals.

My son has a mental health diagnosis, can he access NDIS supports?

In theory yes. There is a list of requirements that has been set up by the NDIS that needs to be met. We understand that every person's story is unique, and it may not be obvious from the set criteria if you are eligible. HelpingMinds can give free, confidential advice to help you find out if you or a loved one could qualify as an NDIS participant.  


Will the NDIS help me?

HelpingMinds has been running NDIS in 2 locations for the last 3 years, 90% of clients have confirmed a notable improvement in their lives since using the NDIS scheme. 
  • “I’m actually getting out of the house now”
  • “HelpingMinds has been a lifesaver”
  • “Getting out more, feeling confident”
  • “Couldn’t have got by without them”
Not sure if you or a loved one are eligible for the NDIS?

Don't worry, the HelpingMinds team can give you free support and advice. If you are eligible we will even help you to complete the paperwork that is required. Get in touch with our NDIS team.

Does the NDIS cover my region?

The NDIS scheme is rolling out across Western Australia over the next 2 years with the entire state expected to be supported by 2020. Even if your region is not expected to receive support soon, please get in touch as we can still assist you with advice and your application before the official roll out. 

Click here to see the timescale of the NDIS roll out across WA


Where else can I get information
 

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Copyright © *|2018|* *|HelpingMinds Limited|*, All rights reserved.
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182 Lord Street, Perth WA 6000  
P: 08 9427 7100 or P: 1800 811 747
 info@helpingminds.org.au      www.helpingminds.org.au
PERTH METRO & REGIONAL WA LOCATIONS

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