The Tobacco and Mental Illness Project

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By April 17, 2015 No Comments

Authors: Mental Health Division, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Year: 2002

Event: 2002 TheMHS Awards

Subject:

Type of resource: TheMHS Awards

Award state: SA

Award level: Gold

Award category: Specialist Service

Abstract: The rate of smoking tobacco amongst people with mental illness is extremely high and the resulting costs make it significantly more difficult for them to rebuild healthy and satisfying lives for themselves. 48% of those surveyed were very concerned, and wanted help to stop smoking. A collaborative project involving mental health services, Quit SA and the Tobacco Control Unit, Dept of Human Services has been addressing this serious health problem. The project has involved - • a survey of 105 people about tobacco issues • development and provision of specifically developed Smoking Cessation Programs across South Australia. • raising awareness of the problem through papers, posters, conferences, workshops, the media and the Internet. • advocacy for people with mental illness through national forums. • the formation of a Tobacco Task Group with wide representation which ensured the development of an effective model, increased awareness across the sectors and secured ongoing funding. Description of Facility/Organisation: Mental Health Division, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is funded by the SA Government through the Department of Human Services to provide a high quality accessible and integrated range of community and hospital services for those with a mental illness and to other caregivers. It provides a service to the Western area of Adelaide with a population of approximately 220,000 people. The total service budget is $12,722,000. Total number of staff is 150 FTE, and the number of active clients is 1260.

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