An extract from an article on Mental Moments

I am a firm believer that the mental health of a person is just as important as their physical health. I guess I believe this so strongly because I have seen the affects of someone not caring about the state of their mental health. By mental health I am not referring to the serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or any of the other very serious issues people often face.

The new issue of the Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) is a special issue, focusing on 'emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents'.

Editorial: On therapist despair (Graham Martin, Editor in Chief).

Guest editorial: Keeping promotion and prevention on the agenda in mental health: Issues and challenges (Jennie Parham).

Guest editorial: Towards a comprehensive national early intervention program for children with mental health problems (Lyn Littlefield).

Early intervention for preschoolers with behaviour problems: Preliminary findings for the Exploring Together Preschool Program (Kate Reid, Lyn Littlefield and Sabine Hammond).

Evaluation of Parents and Adolescents Communicating Together (PACT): a conflict resolution program (Michelle Soltys and Lyn Littlefield).

A preliminary evaluation of the Confident Kids Program – a stand alone component of the Exploring Together Program (Margot Trinder, Michelle Soltys and Susie Burke).

A preliminary evaluation of the Together Parenting Program – a stand alone component of the Exploring Together Program (Susie Burke, Michelle Soltys and Margot Trinder).

Ngaripirliga’ajirri: The implementation of Exploring Together on the Tiwi Islands (Gary Robinson and William Tyler).

Source: Disability News - Infoxchange Australia

Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health

Information on initiatives to build the capacity of the mental health system to ensure that Australians with mental illness, and their families and carers, have access to quality health and support services to meet their needs.

In case of crisis, please contact:

Lifeline
13 11 14 (24 hour Crisis Hotline)

Kids Help Line
1800 55 1800
Online counselling available at www.kidshelpline.com.au

Mensline
1300 78 99 78

Source: Mental health and wellbeing

The Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS) provides free legal advice and assistance about mental health law. We represent people in hearings that relate to their detention and treatment in hospitals and the community, and the management of their money. We now also provide representation for people with other disabilities before the Guardianship Tribunal.

How can the Mental Health Advocacy Service assist you?

If you have been taken to hospital against your wishes, you will either be discharged after examination or brought before a magistrate. A solicitor can present your case to the magistrate.

A solicitor can also advise you about:

The management of persons who have a mental illness or mental disorder, or who exhibit behaviours of community concern may involve a response by multiple agencies, including NSW Health and NSW Police Force. The Memorandum of Understanding has been developed by NSW Health and NSW Police Force to establish a clear framework for agencies involved in the management of such situations.

The Memorandum of Understanding commits agencies involved to work in cooperation to promote a safe and coordinated system of care and transport, and clearly defines the roles of each of the agencies at major points of the process from initial contact through assessment, care and follow up.

Extensive consultation has occurred during the process, including the Urgent Response and Transport Senior Officer’s Group for Mental Health, NSW InterDepartmental Committee for Mental Health, the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office, NSW Health Legal Branch, Ambulance Service of NSW, Area Health Services, NSW Emergency Care Task Force, Rural Critical Care Network and NSW Police Force.

Successful implementation and operation of the Memorandum of Understanding will require a commitment from all agencies to work cooperatively to develop local protocols and procedures which address local needs and resource availability, and the provision of ongoing education to agency staff.

Source: NSW Police Online | Mental Health