A ground-breaking program giving people with severe mental illness access to peer workers to support their treatment is being unveiled by South Western Sydney PHN today.

 

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security and Federal Member for Hume, the Hon Angus Taylor, officially launched the Connect for Wellness program to GPs and industry leaders at Casula Powerhouse.

 

Connect for Wellness is an innovative peer based psychological support model combining both individual and group-based therapy.

 

The program will be delivered across the region by Wellways Australia, a leading not-for-profit organisation providing services and assistance for people with mental health issues.

 

South Western Sydney PHN CEO Keith McDonald welcomed the addition of Connect for Wellness to the growing suite of mental health programs commissioned by South Western Sydney PHN to address local health needs.

 

“During the past 18 months, we have committed more than $9 million towards providing targeted and locally relevant mental health services to support people living with mental illness, from mild, low-intensity interventions, through to suicide prevention and others,” Mr McDonald said.

 

“Our stepped care approach is to order a range of clinical supports that are best matched to the current needs of the program participant. This program is unique because it uses primary care support approaches for people with severe mental illness, particularly psychological support approaches that can predict future distress, avoid unnecessary hospitalisations and ensure ongoing support via peer workers with a lived experience, which have previously not been available locally.”

 

Mr McDonald said the Connect for Wellness program was aimed at people aged 15 and older living with severe and persistent mental illness who do not typically engage with their GP or other primary care based psychological services, and who were at risk of hospitalisation or deterioration of their condition.

 

He said peer workers, who are in recovery and have been specially trained, will provide ongoing support to Connect for Wellness participants.

 

“The Connect for Wellness service also links closely with GPs who remain an essential part of the care for people patients with more complex psychological support needs,” he said. “The program will assist in the transfer of care from acute or hospital settings, to primary care and will more effectively utilise appropriate non-government programs that work with people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.

 

“Peer workers will bring their lived experience of mental illness and provide ongoing support and understanding in dealing with some of the challenges faced by people in their recovery.”

 

Connect for Wellness will also complement South Western Sydney PHN’s current mental health nurse service operating across South Western Sydney for people with enduring mental health issues who require care coordination.

 

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the Connect for Wellness program was looking to assist more than 500 people with severe and persistent mental illness across south western Sydney.

 

“Through the local Primary Health Network, the Federal Government is funding six peer workers across South Western Sydney,” Mr Taylor said.

 

“It’s a great pleasure to meet some of the local support staff today. Their lived experience of mental illness is critical in anticipating the needs of clients and preventing adverse outcomes.

 

“I commend the Primary Health Network on implementing this new peer-based program and look forward to hearing about its success.”

 

Wellways Australia Regional Manager South West Sydney Kate Chatterton said Connect for Wellness was an innovative and exciting initiative focused on supporting people who were traditionally least likely to engage with services but are often the most in need of them.

 

“The involvement of professionals with a lived experience of mental health issues working with psychologists helps bridge a gap that has traditionally been neglected in models of care and is a refreshing step in the right direction for more accessible mental health service provision,” Ms Chatterton said.

 

South Western Sydney PHN is a not-for-prfit organisation dedicated to supporting general practitioners, practice nurses and other primary health providers to deliver the best possible care for their patients. Our aim is to improve access to quality local health care for the all residents living in the local government areas of Bankstown, Faifield, Liverpool Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee.