3

Transcription

1 Mindhealthconnect 1 What is Mindhealthconnect? Mindhealthconnect is Australia s first national e-mental health online portal. It was launched in July 2012 as part of the Australian Government s National E-Mental Health Strategy. 2 The Mindhealthconnect online portal is designed to provide a trustworthy source of information, support and a gateway to therapy for people seeking help for mental illness. The portal allows people to access information and treatment as an alternative to traditional face-to-face services in their own time, in an environment they feel comfortable. E-mental health services will play an increasingly significant role in mental health care in Australia. Over time the e-mental health system will become closely integrated with wider health services, including the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (ehealth system). 3 What are the benefits of Mindhealthconnect? The online delivery for Mindhealth connect makes it ideal for people who live in areas with limited services, have difficulty with transport or are reluctant to use face-to-face mental health services for reasons of stigma or preference. How can Mindhealthconnect assist me? Mindhealthconnect can assist you if you experience mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness, particularly if you are experiencing stress, anxiety or depression. Mindhealthconnect is designed to complement, rather than replace, established mental health services. You should continue to receive support through your treating health service providers. If you use Mindhealthconnect and you are identified as requiring a high level of support, you will be directed to appropriate face-to-face services. Who are the current Mindhealthconnect partners? 4 Mindhealthconnect partners with leading providers for mental health information, programs and services in Australia. Mindhealthconnect partners include: 1 Information in this section taken from 2 A copy of the Australian Government s National E-Mental Health Strategy can be found online at 3 See the Section on Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records for more information on page < >. 4 Information on partners taken from the Mindhealthconnect website on

2 - 2 - Anxiety Online Anxiety Online is an initiative of the National etherapy Centre, based at Swinburne University of Technology. Launched in 2009, the website provides information, assessment, referral and treatment for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Beyondblue Beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation and a bipartisan initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments. Beyondblue s work is aimed at achieving an Australian community that understands depression and anxiety, empowering all Australians, at any life-stage, to seek help. It raises awareness, reduces stigma and ensures people have access to the information they need to ensure recovery, management and resilience. Beyondblue works in partnership with health services, schools, workplaces, universities, media and community organisations, as well as people living with depression/anxiety and their carers, to bring together expertise and provide tools and resources. Black Dog Institute The Black Dog Institute launched in 2002, is a not-for-profit organisation, offering specialist expertise in mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder). The Institute s mission is to advance the understanding, diagnosis and management of mood disorders by continuously raising clinical, research, education and training standards. The Institute aims to improve the lives of those affected and, in turn, the lives of their families and friends. Australia National University Centre for Mental Health Research The Australia National University Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) is a university-based research and development group. CMHR is well-known around the world for the development and evaluation of online self-help programs for mental health problems. CMHR s mission is to reduce mental health problems in the community and improve the lived experience of people with a mental illness, through high-quality research and translation of research into practice and policy. It focuses on undertaking high-quality public mental health research that will make a difference to the lives of people in the community. CMHR s research focuses on mental illness, including depression and bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, insomnia, substance abuse and suicide. Headspace Headspace provides physical and mental health wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Headspace provides assistance to young people in the areas of general health; mental health and counselling; education, employment and other services; and alcohol and other drug services. Headspace has centres around Australia in metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Any young person who needs support, advice or just someone to talk to about a mental health

3 - 3 - problem can walk into a Headspace centre and be treated with respect and compassion within a confidential and safe environment. Eheadspace is an online and telephone mental health support service. It is available to help young people who don t feel ready to attend a centre or who prefer to talk about their problems via online chat, or phone. Kids Helpline Kids Helpline is Australia s only free 24/7, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. Young Australians can contact Kids Helpline via the phone, web or about a wide range of issues from everyday concerns surrounding family, friends and school to more serious issues of child abuse, mental health concerns, homelessness and suicide. Lifeline Lifeline is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that delivers a range of national services that promote emotional wellbeing, encourage help-seeking and crisis support, and address suicide prevention and awareness. It delivers immediate one -off short term crisis support and suicide prevention services across Australia. Lifeline provides its services through a national telephone crisis support line, , which operates 24 hours 7 days a week and through its online crisis support chat service, which operates every evening from 8pm until midnight. Lifeline Centres in every state and territory also deliver local programs. Lifeline acts as a pathfinder to other services in the community. Calls are answered by volunteers and overnight by paid staff. THIS WAY UP THIS WAY UP provides research tested online treatment and prevention of anxiety and depressive disorders. THIS WAY UP is a sub-unit of the Clinical Research Unit of Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD). Through education, THIS WAY UP assists individuals with recovery and clinicians about the treatment and cure of anxiety and depressive disorders. THIS WAY UP services include: 1. Proven guided (clinician-assisted) programs under THIS WAY UP Clinic for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, panic/agoraphobia, social phobia, and mixed anxiety and depression; and 2. Anonymous self-help programs for Shyness and Mixed Depression and Anxiety under THIS WAY UP Self Help; 3. Information about common mental disorders, including obsessive/compulsive disorder (OCD) and psychological trauma; 4. Prevention Programs for Schools; and 5. Services for clinicians ReachOut.com ReachOut.com is an initiative of the Inspire Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit with a mission to help young people lead happier lives. ReachOut.com is Australia s

4 - 4 - leading online youth mental health service, with a mobile, friendly site and forums which allow you to access help, information and support no matter where you are. How can I access Mindhealthconnect? You can access Mindhealthconnect online at Is it free to use? Yes. How can I find information and programs relevant to me on Mindhealthconnect? There are two ways you can find information and programs, which are relevant to you on Mindhealthconnect. 1. Guided Search Guided Search is a simple, easy to use search tool. It reqires you toanswer a few questions about yourself and your situation. All questions are optional except the last set of six questions. However, the more information you enter, the more tailored the results will be. Guided Search uses the Kessler 6 psychological distress scale to measure your likelihood of suffering from a mental health disorder. It will not diagnose you if you have a mental health disorder. 5 You are provided a summary of the programs on the results page. This information allows you to make an informed choice. You can save your search results by creating a profile with Mindhealthconnect. 2. Browse library You can choose to browse the library and find information relevant to you under the following tabs: Online Programs; Fact sheets; Audio & Video; and Community. Mindhealthconnect will also expand the range of topics covered on the website to include: Addictions; Eating disorders; Bipolar disorders; Psychotic disorders; Phobias; Post-natal depression; 5 The Kessler 6 (K6) scale is a quantifier of non-specific psychological distress. See for more information.

5 - 5 - Schizophrenia; and Crisis management. Mindhealthconnect updates their site with new research and information and adds content for people from different cultural backgrounds, including the provision of some information in languages other than English. What other online resources can I access through Mindhealthconnect? A Virtual Clinic was established through Mindhealthconnect late in This clinic provides access to free therapy, either online or by phone, for mild to moderate anxiety or depression.