Over the past 18 months, North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) and Northern NSW Local Health District has worked alongside community members, Clarence Valley Council, community services and health professionals to develop a plan to support the community in their mental health and wellbeing.
In March last year, the ‘Our Healthy Clarence’ (OHC) committee was formed and a plan was created with key objectives to increase awareness about mental health and to bring services and training into the community.
Our Healthy Clarence Plan’s Objectives:
- Improve community awareness of mental health and how to access information and services.
- Improve community engagement, early intervention and suicide prevention.
- Improve the capacity of the workforce and community to respond to people at risk of suicide.
- Increase evidence-based mental health and wellbeing programs within schools.
- Improve access to evidence-based treatment, crisis care and coordinated care after a suicide attempt.
NCPHN has provided funding to support these objectives. NCPHN’s Director of Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol, Dr Megan Lawrance explained how funding decisions were made.
“We believe that change needs to happen at a local level, that’s why we’ve been so proud to be a part of the Our Healthy Clarence Committee. We’ve worked with the community to understand their needs, and armed with this information, to make the best decisions about which services to fund.”
New Services For The Clarence Valley
- The Commonwealth Government provided funding to NCPHN to establish headspace Grafton as part of the Government’s mental health reforms. In addition,Commonwealth funding is being provided through NCPHN for suicide prevention initiatives across the North Coast.
- Improved access to psychiatry, including a child and adolescent psychiatrist and an increase in adult psychiatry services.
- Suicide prevention training in the Clarence Valley delivered by CRANES including mental health first aid and applied suicide intervention skills.
- Aboriginal mental health and suicide prevention training delivered by CRANES both in the Clarence Valley and across the North Coast.
- Post-suicide support for Clarence Valley families and communities.
For more information message the Our Healthy Clarence committee:
click here
Contact from Our Healthy Clarence page
Need help now?
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800