August 11 2023
Tamworth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic provider confirmed
Northwest Health is confirmed as the provider of Tamworth’s soon-to-be opened Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC).
Innovative Projects to Enhance Mental Health Wellbeing Across Hunter New England and Central Coast Regions
Eight unique projects aimed at enhancing individual and community wellbeing through innovative, low-intensity mental health interventions are set to be implemented, tested, and evaluated across the Hunter, New England, and Central Coast regions. These initiatives, tailored to priority populations, will serve as proof-of-concept models for further development and deployment.
Analysis shows a substantial number of people in Australia are experiencing mental health concerns and many of the factors that impact mental health such as financial stress, loneliness and a decline in resilience, social connectedness and civic engagement are showing no improvement. Adopting multi-sectoral and community-based mental healthcare strategies can effectively mitigate health and social inequities by promoting social wellbeing and addressing underlying health determinants.
The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has committed a substantial investment of almost $800 000 to support novel solutions in non-clinical psychosocial activities aimed at bolstering individual and community wellbeing.
These evidence-based projects (those which integrate the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values) align with the PHN’s strategic objective of enhancing equitable access by offering low-intensity mental health options, which may include digitally-assisted services. The projects are designed to:
- Raise awareness about mental health
- Combat stigma and discrimination
- Facilitate recovery and promote social inclusion
- Prevent mental health disorders
The successful grant recipients include creative art programs for the general community and dementia sufferers, youth and cultural specific wellness programs, physical activity programs including a specialised rugby program for young adults experiencing homelessness or incarceration and nutrition programs to combat food insecurity while also providing social connection.
Richard Nankervis, CEO of HNECC PHN, emphasised that psychosocial approaches can foster community cohesion, resilience, and informal social connectedness. "Not every member of our community requires intensive clinical mental health services. Often, non-clinical supports can yield significant benefits for both individuals and communities."
"Engaging in social and civic activities can profoundly contribute to wellness and positive mental health outcomes," added Nankervis. "This includes maintaining connections with friends, family, and neighbours, as well as participating in organised community initiatives."
The Psychosocial Grant round, conducted over a five-week period in April and May, attracted over 100 applications for consideration by the PHN. Successful projects will be required to provide comprehensive evaluations and impact reports upon completion, contributing their findings to a collaborative forum.
For a detailed list of grant recipients and their respective projects, please refer to the table below.
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Upper Hunter Homeless Support (Muswellbrook LGA) | Creative Safe Spaces - The project will engage innovative creative arts practitioners, First Nations cultural weaver, crochet artist, a qualified practicing psychotherapist and professional artists. The series of six-week courses will be held at various locations across the Upper Hunter and where partner organisations have determined a need. The program is aimed at reducing isolation and enhancing mental health. |
| Maitland Regional Art Gallery (Maitland LGA) | Conversations: Art and Dementia at Maitland Regional Art Gallery - A free, creative and social program for people with dementia and their carers hosted twice monthly and complemented with regular outreach to care facilities and online programming. The non-clinical program will be available to PHN priority groups but will also allow tangible research outcomes of the Conversations project to be undertaken by the University of Newcastle (UoN) as a pilot for future programs. |
| Live Life Get Active Pty Ltd (Manning LGA) | Ongoing social Physical Activity Program, and four educational events - This program will address key issues affecting a person’s ability to cope with day-to-day stress. The program will be supported by council and community groups. Local GP clinics will be invited to refer patients into the program which resonates with all ages, abilities, demographics and cultures. Friendships are created and people are motivated to improve their physical, mental and social health/happiness. |
| The Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University (Manning LGA) | MERTIL for Parents - The program, builds trust amidst trauma for young families, supporting all parents to strengthen bonds with their young children in the face of stress. This project will provide free access to MERTIL for parents to all parents of pre-school children who engage with HNECC Tresillian maternal and child health services, for one year. |
| OzHarvest (Newcastle LGA) | NEST Program - A transformative six-week public-health initiative designed to tackle food insecurity and create a safe space for meaningful, social interactions. Led by university-qualified nutritionists and dietitians, the 2.5-hour NEST workshops are social experiences blended with essential nutrition education. The sessions provide hands-on cooking activities, culminating in shared meals that foster a sense of community. |
| Winangali Infusion (Moree LGA | Culturally Responsive, Systemic Wellbeing Program - The program supports the holistic wellbeing needs of the Boggabilla/Toomelah communities. Facilitating community awareness, collaboration, and cohesion, ‘The Block’ nurtures community resilience through cultural and social connectedness, belonging, and culturally responsive opportunities for civic engagement. |
| Singleton Family Support Scheme Pty Ltd (Singleton LGA) | Creating My Place (CMP) - This psychosocial, peer supported wellbeing program for youth aged 13 to 18 years of age uses creative arts to engage and explore mental health wellbeing and social connection, enhancing a sense of belonging. |
| NSW Rugby Union Ltd (Armidale LGA) | Rugby For Good - This Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program, incorporates initiatives including: Get Talkin' Mental Health Workshops - Empowering youth and adults with mental health awareness, fostering resilience and community connection. Kickstart Program for Youth Inmates - Using rugby to engage, addressing mental health and male behaviour, providing positive outlets for growth. Rugby In The Park - Leveraging physical activity, routine and human connection to enhance mental and physical health for homeless and socially disconnected individuals by fostering community integration. |
