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April 2020
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Whilst the Southern Mallee PCP Team is currently working from home, we're busy keeping in contact with our partner organisations to coordinate ways in which we can work together with our Southern Mallee communities to improve health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have any feedback or ideas on how we might be able to work with your organisation, network or community, please get in contact with the Southern Mallee PCP Team:
Eden - eden.templeton@smpcp.com.au
Toni - toni.poltrock@smpcp.com.au

Although we’re all physically distanced and isolated, we are  having to be more connected online than we ever have been. There is a sense of overwhelm, anxiety and weariness as we respond and adapt to the myriad of changes.  Some important points to keep at the forefront of our minds and share with others at this time, whilst endeavoring to work successfully in a remote capacity.

Managing working from home and schooling?
Check out Headspace's new resource Balancing online schooling and working from home.

Meeting online? Check out our tips sheet for successful online meetings. 
Southern Mallee PCP's Zoom Tips



Southern Mallee PCP Gender Equity Forum 2020

The Southern Mallee Primary Care Partnership (PCP) Gender Equity Forum (the Forum) was to provide an opportunity for organisations, members of the three Southern Mallee gender equity/family violence prevention networks and others interested in improving gender equity and preventing family violence to come together to build capacity and relationships, network and to share ideas.
The initial Forum, scheduled to be held in November 2019, was postponed due a Code Red day being declared across the state of Victoria. The Forum was re-scheduled for 19th March 2020 in Swan Hill. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forum needed to be quickly transferred to an online alternative, which went ahead.
Our initial feedback has been very positive, with over 20 organisations being involved, and some 40 participants taking part in the forum, and great value gained from the event.  It’s conglomerated into some great ideas on working together on future projects to have greater impact and change for the future.  Watch this space for more.

Please see slideshows for each of the presentations here:

Family violence crisis response and support during coronavirus

With more people staying at home to reduce the community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be an increased risk for women and children experiencing family violence or abuse.


It is important to reinforce that people can leave their home for emergency purposes, if they are escaping harm or are at risk of harm from family violence.

Family violence crisis response and support during coronavirus

 

If you are at risk of harm from family violence, you can leave your home. You will not be fined if you are leaving a dangerous situation.

  How can I access family violence support services?
  • You can call safe steps on 1800 015 188 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for family violence help and support.
  • The Orange Door service continues to operate during the coronavirus outbreak from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday in:
    • the Mallee (1800 290 943) 
  • The Orange Door website orangedoor.vic.gov.au also has lots of helpful information if you’re feeling unsafe, need more support with the care of children or are worried about how someone close to you is treating you.

Supporting resources:

Together for Respect at Home

In response to this complex issue, members from the Together for Equality and Respect (TFER) Partnership have developed a social marketing campaign aimed at promoting safe, healthy, connected and respectful relationships at home. This campaign takes a collaborative and evidence-based approach to prevent violence against women during the pandemic through promoting respectful relationships and positive mental health and well-being strategies.

Click to find out more: Together for Respect at Home

We acknowledge the partners who contributed to the development of this campaign: Outer East Primary Care Partnership, Inspiro, Eastern Health, Women’s Health East,Maroondah City Council, Yarra Ranges Council, Outer East Respectful Relationships and EDVOS.
The increased isolation due to physical distancing and restrictions is perhaps the largest contributor to deteriorating mental health as well as the anxiety and concern for the uncertain future, in both security, health and financial impacts due to the effect the pandemic has had economically.  Parents working from home and supervising children’s schooling whilst working has also created new stressors. 
 
COVID-19 | Responding to stress and conflict
Recent findings released 16 April 2020 by YouGov regarding the stress Australians are feeling as a result of COVID-19, showed that one in four relationships are under strain, one in two people are feeling isolated and 57 per cent are feeling stress. 54 per cent said restrictions due to COVID-19 were causing tension in the household.
Webinar - Supporting Children from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds:
Practitioners' personal values and beliefs about parenting and child-rearing can influence their ability to address the mental health and well being needs of children and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds. This webinar will explore the importance of ‘culturally competent’, ‘culturally curious’ and ‘child-focused’ practices along with examples of organisational initiatives and practice approaches. This webinar will assist practitioners who work with migrant and refugee children and families in health, education and social and community services.

 

COVID-19 and Life! program

The Life! program remains dedicated to supporting individuals who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Life! is a free Victorian healthy lifestyle program that is funded by the Victorian State Government. It will help your high-risk patients learn more about nutrition, physical activity, mental health and wellbeing, and goal setting. The program is delivered by experienced health professionals through various platforms including a Telephone Health Coaching service and online support.

 

Staying physically active at home - webinar

In a time when social distancing, self-isolation and uncertainty has taken control of our daily lives, ECU’s researchers provide some comfort and practical advice on how to manage life through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join Professor Ken Nosaka, Director of Exercise and Sports Science, School of Medical and Health Sciences for a discussion on "How we can stay physically active at home; Benefits of home-based exercises."
In this short, 20 minute webinar we will discuss how a lack of regular exercise leads to reduced muscle strength, coordination, balance, flexibility and mobility, and increases the risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and dementia, to be held Tuesday 19 May 2020 at 11:00am.

 
Consumer Feedback from those with a Disability

The Disability Royal Commission is seeking information about the experiences of people with disability during COVID-19 and the recent summer bushfires.
It's released an Emergency Planning and Response Issues Paper questioning how to improve the safety and wellbeing of people with disability during similar emergencies in the future.
It also asks what should be done to ensure people with disability are not at risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation during emergencies.
Message from DHHS Population Health Team

The impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic is unfolding and will continue to drive us to adapt and change the way our communities function for some time to come.
The Mallee Population Health and Community Well-being team is hoping to learn about local initiatives and challenges and hear from a range of communities voices across the Mallee over coming weeks and months.
This feedback will allow DHHS to consider current and changing needs within communities, and support the various systems around  community, community services and government to better understand how DHHS is communicating and who is missing out. At this stage the local DHHS team is interested in understanding your local solutions to reducing social isolation and loneliness, creating social inclusion and enhancing community connected-ness.
 
Please send feedback  through your existing networks /groups and committees to : Please feel free to contact Fiona Lush Manager Population Health and Community Wellbeing, Mallee Area on 0438051345 or Fiona.lush@dhhs.vic.gov.au to invite a team member  to a meeting of a community network or group/committee.

Articles for Review:

Urban Aboriginal people face unique challenges in the fight against coronavirus

Fiona Stanley, Telethon Kids Institute; Daniel McAullay, Edith Cowan University; Sandra Eades, Curtin University


Mums with an intellectual disability already risk family violence and losing their kids. Coronavirus could make things worse

Susan Collings, University of Sydney; Margaret Spencer, University of Sydney


Reconnecting after coronavirus – 4 key ways cities can counter anxiety and loneliness
Roger Patulny, University of Wollongong; Jordan McKenzie, University of Wollongong; Marlee Bower, University of Sydney; Rebecca E. Olson, The University of Queensland


The need to house everyone has never been clearer. Here’s a 2-step strategy to get it done
Ron Wakefield, RMIT University


Links for further information:
General:
Tips and Ideas – Connecting with loved ones
Tips and Ideas – Health and wellbeing
Tips and Ideas – Keeping active at home
Managing your mental health online during COVID-19
Easy for Me – Issue 1

Working from Home:
Tips and Ideas – Working from home
Tips and Ideas – Working from home with kids


Aboriginal Health:
Aboriginal cultural safety in public health services
Aboriginal patients accessing public health services
COVID-19 culturally safe health service protocols Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Sorry Business and Funerals during coronavirus – factsheet | poster

Aged Care:
Tips for residential care providers
Tips for home care providers
Tips for People Living with Dementia

Diversity & Inclusion:
Keeping Diversity and Accessible Health Care at the Forefront During COVID-19
LGBTIQ Inclusion for COVID-19 Remote Services
Easy Read Coronavirus Resources

Children and School from Home: 
Helping children cope with stress during the Coronavirus outbreak
Kids and Parents Online Safety Toolkit, eSafety Commissioner
COVID-19, Online Safety, Reporting and Response, eSafety Commissioner
Distance Learning Solutions, UNESCO
Keeping Children Safe Online, End Violence Against Children

Familly Violence: 
COVID-19: Online Safety Help for Domestic and Family Violence Workers, eSafety Commissioner
GEN VIC Online Bystander Toolkit, GEN VIC  
Contact Us

Eden Templeton | Health Promotion Project Officer
eden.templeton@smpcp.com.au | 03 5033 9981 | 0419 590 291

Toni Poltrock | Communication Officer
toni.poltrock@smpcp.com.au | 03 5033 9980
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