Term 4, 2015 Volume 4, Issue 4
Family & Carer News
Inside this issue:
Mental Health Month Events
2
Workshops 4
Events & Outings
5
Eating Disorders Consultation
5
Local services and groups
6
#MentalAs From October 4-11 the ABC is going #MentalAs once again with programming across TV, radio and online that focuses on mental illness, health and wellbeing. For more information about programming, visit www.abc.net.au/mentalas
Mental Health Month is celebrated each year to raise awareness around mental
health and wellbeing. This year the theme is Value your Mind and the aim of this
is to encourage people to prioritise caring for their mental health, just as they
would their family, their work and their physical heath.
As each person is unique, it’s important to recognise that each person has
unique mental health needs. Some tips that might be helpful include; get more
sleep, make time for you, talk with old friends, listen to music, live life in the
present moment and reach out before things get tough.
You can find other tips at: www.stresslesstips.org
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District celebrates
Visit www.nbmlhd.health.nsw.gov.au for a calendar of events across the district.
Page 2 Family & Carer News
Events in Western Sydney
Volume 4, Issue 4 Page 3
Events in the Mountains and Lithgow
What’s new for carers?Join our panel of experts for a discussion of new services
and initiatives affecting family members and carers
who support someone with mental health issues
Panel members:
Dr Hilary Smith
Psychiatry CMO Blue Mountains Mental
Health Unit
Carolyn Durrant
Family & Carer Coordinator
Nepean Blue Mountains Mental Health Service
David Jackson
Education & Training Officer
UnitingCare Mental Health
22 October
Lithgow Library
Upstairs Meeting Room
157 Main St. Lithgow
1:00 – 3:00pm
Light refreshments provided
Visit www.nbmlhd.health.nsw.gov.au to download these flyers and more.
Visit: mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au
to view the other events happening in
Sydney and across regional areas
Page 4 Family & Carer
Courses for Families & Carers
For more information and to register, call
Family & Carer Program - UnitingRecovery: 8842 8289
Penrith
6, 13 & 20 Oct
10:00am—2:00pm
Holding onto
Hope
A workshop for family members and carers new to the
role of supporting someone with a mental illness.
26 October
10:00am—4:00pm
Emotional Intelligence:
An Introduction
In this workshop participants learn how to manage
emotions better by understanding how emotions affect
thoughts and behaviour.
2,9,16 & 23 Nov
5:30—8:40pm
Mental Health First Aid Over two days participants explore common mental
health problems, and how to provide help until appropri-
ate professional treatment is given or the crisis resolves.
6 November
9:30—11:00am
Values: Know what
matters
A short workshop to help carers think about what their
values are and how to live in a way that reflects them.
Lawson
28 October
9:30am—3:00pm
Managing Stress &
Building Resilience
A one-day workshop that helps participants identify and
deal with stress, and explore strategies to increase
resilience.
17 November
9:30am—3:00pm
Substance Use & Mental
Illness
This workshop provides helpful information and resources
that will increase participants’ understanding of each
issue and the relationship between them.
19 & 20 Nov
9:30am—3:00pm
Communication for
Carers
This workshop explores how to communicate effectively
with family members, friends and health professionals.
10 December
5:30—7:00pm
Values: Know what
matters
A short workshop to help carers think about what their
values are and how to live in a way that reflects them.
Lithgow
27 & 28 Oct
9:00am—5:00pm
Mental Health
First Aid
Over two days participants explore common mental
health problems, and how to provide help until appropri-
ate professional treatment is given or the crisis resolves.
Volume 4, Issue 4 Page 5
Outings and Events for Families & Carers
Regular groups
2nd Tuesday/Month
13 Oct, 9 Nov, 8 Dec Walking Group
Meet at the wharf,
Nepean River @ 10:00am.
Coffee afterwards at The
Coffee Club
4th Tuesday/Month
27 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec Creative Writing Group UCMH –331 High St. Penrith
9:00am—12 noon
Fridays
Yoga Group
Glenbrook @ 10:30am
4th Friday/Month
Richmond @ 10:45
3rd Friday/Month
Events
Wednesday
14 October
Pamper Day Springwood Community Hub
104 Macquarie Rd.
Need a break? Want to do something different or make some new friends?
Some upcoming events are listed below. To register or for
more information contact UnitingRecovery on 4722 6971
Consultation for Eating Disorders Service
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District will be
establishing a service for people who experience eating
disorders. If you support someone who has experienced this
and would like to be involved in a consultation process, we
would love to hear from you.
Contact Carolyn Durrant for further information:
Phone: 4734 3227 or 0428 397 619
Local Services for Mental Health Carers
PENRITH Meets 3rd Wednesday/month, 5:15—7pm Mental Health Centre Nepean Hospital
LITHGOW Meets 4th Thursday/month, 1:00—3:00pm Upstairs Meeting Room, Lithgow Library,
157 Main St. Lithgow
KATOOMBA Meets Last Friday/month,
10:15am—1pm; Women only Blue Mountains Women’s Resource Centre,
124 Lurline St. Katoomba
Mental Health Carer Support Groups
OCD Group Bi-monthly support group for consumers and
carers. Nepean Hospital, Penrith.
Phone: 4734 2585
ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUPS Monthly support groups for people with
anxiety problems and their family and
friends. Meetings held in Penrith,
Springwood and Windsor.
Phone: 9339 6013 for more information
or visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au/
programs/anxiety-support-groups
Mental Health Respite
Carer Support Service
4722 6971
Mental Health Respite Program
Commonwealth Respite &
Carelink Centre Nepean
Freecall: 1800 052 222
and after hours emergency only
Mental Health
Respite Program
Lithgow
1300 227 393
Respite Support for
Carers Service
9393 9210
Carolyn Durrant—Family & Carer Coordinator
Nepean Blue Mountains Mental Health Service
Mobile: 0428 397 619
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