
Authors: Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) and Eastern Health
Year: 2005
Event: 2005 TheMHS Awards
Subject:
Type of resource: TheMHS Awards
Award state: VIC
Award level: Finalist
Award category: Mental Health Promotion or Mental Illness Prevention Program or Project
Abstract: is a diverse and innovative primary health care service provider • employs 279 staff • operates sixty-seven programs across Melbourne's east • has its major focus of service provision in the Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges municipalities • also services the cities of Boroondara, Whitehorse, Manningham and Monash through its regional services, like Gambler's Help Eastern and Financial Counseling. Eastern Health Mental Health Program provides mental health services to the eastern region of Melbourne. These services are publicly funded, and include crisis services, inpatient care, community/outpatient, rehabilitation and residential services. The Mental Health Program employs over 600 staff, using a budget of over $50 million. Description of Facility/Organisation: Supporting Kids In Primary Schools (SKIPS) is a mental health promotion program run in primary schools in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne in a partnership between Eastern Access Community Health and Eastern Health Mental Health Program. This unique program deals directly and honestly with the issue of mental illness in families and how primary schools support the children in those families. One in five adults will suffer mental illness at some time. Many have children at primary school. SKIPS gives schools straightforward information about mental illness. The program consists of: • Two workshops for the whole school staff giving teachers: - an understanding of the impact that mental illness in the family has on children - confidence in supporting those families and children - practical strategies. • Three classroom sessions for grade 5 and 6 children giving children: - an understanding of mental health and illness - appropriate language for talking about mental illness. A parent information session is also offered so that parents know what their children are learning.
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