Authors: Hunter Institute of Mental Health
Year: 2013
Event: 2013 TheMHS Awards
Subject:
Type of resource: TheMHS Awards
Award state: NSW
Award level: Special Judges Award for Partnership Practices
Award category: Mental Health Promotion or Mental Illness Prevention Program or Project
Abstract: Partners in Depression is an evidence-based support and education program for people who love, live with or care for someone experiencing depression. Partners in Depression focuses on developing carers knowledge about depression, its treatment, self-care and encouraging help-seeking behaviours to access services. Research has shown that people who support a person with depression:
• Can experience significant stress and are at greater risk of developing mental problems themselves.
• Are interested in learning and strengthening self-care strategies to enhance their capacity to support the person in their life with depression.
Previously, few mental health or counselling services targeted the information or support needs of carers and loved ones supporting someone experiencing depression – they were often the forgotten allies in the battle against depression. Partners in Depression was developed to address this identified gap in Australia.
Description of Facility/Organisation: The Hunter Institute of Mental Health (HIMH) is a self-funded not for profit unit of the Hunter New England Local Health District. The Institute has a proud record of designing, developing, implementing and evaluating national, state and local mental health promotion, illness prevention and suicide prevention programs. The mission of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health is to promote mental health and to improve the outcomes for people affected by a mental illness and suicide through education and training, health promotion, research and evaluation. Key objectives of the Institute are to:
1. Improve the mental health of individuals and communities;
2. Reduce the incidence, prevalence and impacts of mental health problems and mental illnesses;
3. Reduce the incidence of suicide and its impact;
4. Increase knowledge and skills of those working with people with a mental illness and those who care about them;
5. Build institutional strength, reputation and sustainability.
More information about the Hunter Institute of Mental Health is available from www.himh.org.au
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