Interested community members, health professionals and mental health service providers are invited to join South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) to share their experiences in accessing mental health services across our region.
SWSPHN hosts local health forums twice a year to provide the community with an opportunity to discuss health issues which impact them.
Upcoming forums will focus on understanding barriers to accessing mental health care services in our region and how we can improve services to accommodate more people in our community.
South Western Sydney residents experience higher levels of psychological distress, with 18.5 per cent of adults self-reporting high, or very high psychological distress, compared to all of NSW reporting 16.9 per cent.
SWSPHN chief executive officer Keith McDonald says the local health forums were key to developing specific solutions and identifying barriers to accessing mental health services for South Western Sydney residents.
“Though there are mental health services available in South Western Sydney, we must address the fact there are barriers in accessing these services,” he said.
“We want to know how we can help improve this to better meet the needs of our community.”
Feedback is invited from those who have experienced mental ill health, local organisations which deliver mental health services, primary carers, and the wider community.
“This is the third of the local health forums we’ve hosted and each one reinforces how important it is to hear from and collaborate with our community to improve health services in our region – thank you to all who have contributed so far,” Mr McDonald said.
SWSPHN has previously hosted Local Health Forums focusing on chronic disease and care finder services.
The information participants share during these forums will help SWSPHN to identify and understand the mental health needs of the community, identify where existing services can be improved and help develop and implement future activities which will benefit the South Western Sydney community.
Details for the upcoming forums:
Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool: Tuesday, 22 August, 6.30pm to 9pm, Holiday Inn, Warwick Farm
REGISTER via Eventbrite
Campbelltown, Camden: Tuesday, 5 September, 6.30pm to 9pm, Rydges, Campbelltown
REGISTER via Eventbrite
Southern Highlands: Wednesday, 13 September, 6.30pm to 9pm, Gibraltar Hotel, Bowral
REGISTER via Eventbrite
A two-course dinner will be provided on the night.
