Local Federal and State Government bodies are coming together for the first time to assess and plan for the mental health needs of people living in South Western Sydney – and they need your help!
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) and the Local Health District (SWSLHD) are inviting community members, including people with a lived experience, carers and service providers, to share their thoughts through a series of face-to-face workshops across the region this month.
Feedback will also be sought via open online consultation, and GPs and clinicians working in mental health will be consulted via closed focus groups.
The community’s input will assist with the development of strategies and actions to be included in the five-year plan for Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in South Western Sydney, and to help the PHN and LHD better understand the region’s priorities so funding is targeted to meet local need.
SWSPHN chief executive officer, Dr Keith McDonald, said the consultation sessions were an exciting opportunity for the community to help shape mental health approaches, reform and services in our region over the next five years.
“Our community will have the opportunity to directly and positively influence the kinds of mental health services they, or someone they know, may need to access locally,” he said.
“The plan will look at existing areas of need and barriers local people with mental illness face in accessing or navigating the health system.
“Information we learn during the consultation will allow us to leverage existing partnerships and link existing services where appropriate to ensure we achieve a region-wide collaborative approach.
“We’ve never before had such an ambitious and wide-reaching mental health plan, and I encourage anyone with an interest in mental health to provide their valuable input to ensure we develop the best plan possible for our community.”
Workshops will be held at:
- Wingecarribee: Mittagong RSL Club, 10am-1pm, Tuesday, 11 June;
- Wollondilly: 9am-noon, Community Links Wollondilly, Tahmoor, Wednesday, 12 June;
- Campbelltown: Campbelltown Catholic Club, 2pm-5pm, Wednesday, 12 June;
- Fairfield: Cabra-Vale Diggers Club, 9am-noon, Thursday, 20 June;
- Bankstown: Bryan Brown Theatre and Function Centre Lansdowne Room 2, 2pm-5pm, Thursday, 20 June.
Sign up to SWSPHN’s new HealthChat website at healthchat.swsphn.com.au to register for a workshop or call 4632 3000 for more information.
