Recognising Mental Health Month and the role we play in supporting mental health across NSW |
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October is Mental Health Month and this year’s theme is We all have a role to play. I encourage you to take this opportunity to think about your own mental health and wellbeing as well as those around you, and to consider steps that can have a positive impact for you and others.
It could be simple things such as taking a break outside, connecting with a friend, having a cuppa with a colleague, or lending an ear to a patient or their loved ones.
This edition showcases our people who do an outstanding job providing mental health care and support in our communities. I also want to thank all our staff, no matter what your role, who look after the mental health and wellbeing of patients, their families and your colleagues. |
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If you find yourself in need of mental health support, please reach out to your manager, a trusted colleague, your family or friends. They are there to support you. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available on your local intranet, which offers free, confidential counselling, coaching and wellbeing services. I’d also like to recognise our emergency nursing staff as we celebrate this year’s Emergency Nurses Day (11 October). You play an vital role in providing high-quality and compassionate care in a fast-paced, frontline environment. Thank you for your unwavering commitment.
Last week, I spent two days visiting some of the hospitals and teams in the Hunter New England Local Health District. I had the opportunity to hear about some of the innovative services and initiatives supporting people in the Hunter region, and speak with some of the wonderful people there about their work. Thank you for the warm welcome and for the excellent care your provide to your communities. Finally, I’d like to acknowledge Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, which was celebrated on Friday 29 September. I hope everyone who celebrated had a wonderful time with their family and enjoyed a mooncake under the full moon!
Kind regards,
Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health
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Everyone has a role to play |
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Justice Health NSW has adapted the NSW Ministry of Health’s Towards Zero Suicides initiative to suit the unique environment of correctional centres.
A key part of the project’s success is Senior Project Lead, Kirsty Smith. “In our area of work, people are very grateful to have someone who will listen to them,” said Kirsty.
“We hold suicide first aid training and share postcards of patients’ artwork and quotes as a sign of support.”
Patients in custodial settings show that no matter what life experiences you have, everyone can play a role in supporting positive mental health. |
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“I love the theme of this year’s Mental Health Month, We all have a role to play,” said Kirsty.
“We always emphasise that everyone can play a part in supporting someone, and we’ve received positive feedback with some patients saying they’ll be spending more of their time in custody to look out and take care of others.”
“I love my job and the opportunity it offers me to innovate in the suicide prevention space to suit the challenges of such a complex environment,” said Kirsty. |
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No two minutes are the same in emergency |
No two minutes are the same in the emergency department, and that’s what Penelope Patterson, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Emergency, loves about her job. |
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| “I love the work that I do. A wide variety of cases come through – one minute you are treating an ant bite, and the next minute you could be dealing with a cardiac arrest. It’s all very fast-paced,” said Penelope. Penelope has been working in emergency departments across Murrumbidgee Local Health District for 17 years. For this year’s Emergency Nurses Day (11 October), Penelope shared with us one incident that she will never forget. “A couple of years ago, a three-year-old child was brought in unconscious after a near-drowning incident. It was a very stressful and terrifying experience, but fortunately we were able to resuscitate her,” said Penelope.
“Two weeks later, the child came skipping back into the emergency department with her family to thank us for saving her life. |
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“You don’t always know what happens once the patient leaves the emergency ward, and quite often in emergency you witness the worst days of someone’s life. So it’s heart-warming and reassuring to see some positive outcomes,” said Penelope. |
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Name: Dr Brendan Flynn
Role: Executive Director, Mental Health Branch, NSW Ministry of Health. Now, let’s get to know you a little better…
What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you?
Curious, kind, history-obsessed.
Last great TV show or movie you watched? Better Call Saul – it took me a year to get through it. It got better and better throughout the series.
Favourite book or podcast? The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flannagan. I still think about this book years later. |
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If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? Speaking French. If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? Takeaway – I am quite hopeless in the kitchen, but I can make homemade Bircher muesli if that counts. Any hidden talents? Lots of reading about 20th century history and American politics helps at trivia nights. What’s a self-care practice you engage in for your mental health?
I try to walk often at the beach in Newcastle or play with our corgi, George, who cheers up (almost) everyone he meets!
What role can NSW Health staff play to stay engaged and connected at work?
I know it can often be easier said than done, but taking time to listen to the people we care for is a powerful clinical intervention in itself and reconnects us to why we work in health. A positive relationship between people and their care providers is a large and measurable factor in recovery. Could you share a piece of advice for people who might be struggling with their mental health?
Often the first conversation is the hardest. If someone can communicate to others that they are struggling, they will generally find most friends, family and work colleagues are supportive and a source of good advice and options. |
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'At the CORE' of compassion |
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Our CORE values are at the heart of everything we do at NSW Health. At the CORE showcases the teams, initiatives, and achievements from around the system that display our values in action. Openness: While each person has their own mental health experience, there is a certain level of understanding that comes from having lived through it. |
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“Combining the perspectives of clinical staff peer workers with lived experience of mental health illness creates a well-balanced approach to healthcare that benefits not only patients, but also carers and staff,” said Nicola Johnstone, Senior Occupational Therapist.
Nicola works with older patients at the Acute Mental Health Service in the Western NSW Local Health District. The team plays an important role in helping patients continue to do what they want to do in life.
“We look at how to improve their self-care practices, increase productivity and support their engagement in hobbies. We also help to build their social skills and communication so they can connect with others and express their thoughts and feelings,” said Nicola.
“I love my job so much and feel privileged to spend time with people that have such diverse life experiences. |
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“I particularly love running sessions where I can set up activities that allow patients to experience positivity and live in the moment.” |
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As the Acting Duty Manager at the Regents Park Patient Transport Service Base, Shaun De La Mare is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of up to 80 HealthShare NSW staff. |
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| “Safety affects every aspect of our job and I know I have done my role well when my team can go home safely to their families at the end of the day,” said Shaun. October is also National Safe Work Month – a time to recognise the important role people like Shaun play in building safe and healthy workplaces.
“It’s my responsibility to make sure enough people are rostered for each shift to support the tasks of the day, and that the team is completing all necessary checks before picking up a patient,” said Shaun.
Not only does Shaun stay on top of workplace safety, but he also cares about the mental wellbeing of his team. “I try to create a safe environment by making myself approachable so anyone in my team can come to me whenever they need help,” said Shaun. “I love being a manager that staff can talk to. Seeing my team start and end their day safely and happily brings me great joy.” |
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Samantha Osborne is a country girl at heart with “the best job at NSW Health”.
Growing up on a third-generation family beef and banana farm on the Mid North Coast, Sam has more than 30 years’ experience working in mental health services.
She is now one of 20 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) co-ordinators based across rural, regional and remote NSW connecting people with local mental health services. |
| Sam on an agricultural field day |
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“Our rural communities are no strangers to tough times, and we know that they are less likely to reach out for mental health support,” said Sam.
RAMHP challenges stigma in the community by providing mental health awareness training and encouraging people to seek help and have a conversation with someone they care about. |
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“I am often described as a ‘walking-talking resource’ – I really do love a chat and being on the road visiting different communities,” said Sam. “RAMHP coordinators play an important role ‘walking alongside’ individuals to support them in getting the right help at the right time.” “It is both humbling and energising to connect, advocate and support the most vulnerable in the community and be part of their journey.” |
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The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival (29 September), is the second grandest traditional festival in China after the Lunar New Year.
Other countries that also celebrate the festival include Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other East Asian countries. Families gather together to light lanterns, eat mooncakes and appreciate the full moon, which is a symbol for family reunion. Wishing a happy Mid-Autumn Festival to those and their families who celebrated! |
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A different lens of wellbeing |
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Dr Robyn Shields AM with Justin Chia and Lance Takiari |
| Everyone’s definition of wellbeing is different, which is why it is important to understand every unique perspective when providing mental health services, especially for Aboriginal patients. This was the focus of the recent Mental Health Nursing Winter Symposium held in Sydney Local Health District.
Bundjalung woman Dr Robyn Shields AM, who helped develop a mental health service for Aboriginal people, emphasised the importance of recognising these unique viewpoints. |
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“When we developed the mental health service for Aboriginal people, it was with the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service, which was set up by Aboriginal people and run by Aboriginal people. That’s the key to success,” said Robyn.
Robyn spoke at the symposium about the effects of second-generation trauma, and highlighted the need for equal input into healthcare and acknowledgement of all the factors that contribute to mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.
“It’s complex, it’s not easy, but we need to start telling the history. We need to start telling the circumstances by which people are presenting to our services,” said Robyn. |
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25th Annual NSW Health Awards finalists announced The finalists for the 25th annual NSW Health Awards have been announced!
We encourage you to look at these projects which showcase the high quality of work across the NSW Health System. Join us online Tuesday 24 October 2023, when the winners will be announced. |
| Suicide prevention toolkit
Moving towards zero suicides is a NSW healthcare priority supported by multiple agencies, including the Clinical Excellence Commission.
This toolkit provides information, resources and quality improvement tools to support managers and clinicians in the suicide prevention space. |
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Allied health scholarships now open
We invite early career allied health professionals to apply for the Allied Health Rural Generalist Program scholarship. This scholarship offers up to $12,000 to study the Rural Generalist Program (Level 1) at James Cook University.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals are especially encouraged to apply.
For more information, please visit the Health Education and Training (HETI) website or email MOH-RuralScholarships@health.nsw.gov.au |
| Look out for the new State Wide Service Desk Experience survey
The State Wide Service Desk Experience survey is moving to a new survey platform this October.
Survey requests will come from the new email address EHNSW-SWSD-ExperienceSurvey@health.nsw.gov.au and will no longer appear under ‘My Items’ in SARA.
This new platform will help to better identify service improvement opportunities. |
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From the Critical Intelligence Unit The Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) Evidence Digest focuses on clinical innovations that have the potential to change clinical practice and delivery or organisation of care. In the past weeks, the CIU Evidence Digest featured: - Virtual reality for cerebral palsy, digital vs. face-to-face preoperative assessment and NICE recommendations for acute migraine
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Acetazolamide in heart failure, OECD policy considerations on AI, and WHO guidance on adopting and adapting guidelines
To receive the digest in your inbox on Wednesday mornings, please subscribe. |
| October is Cyber Security Awareness Month – let’s all keep NSW Health safe
Cyber Security Awareness Month is a reminder to stay safe when online and protect our systems.
To help you manage your cyber risk, we spoke to the head of the Cyber Security Investigations team at eHealth NSW. Connect to the VPN and watch this video to find out more. To help keep us safe, please also complete your mandatory Cyber Security Fundamentals training in My Health Learning. |
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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working with the NSW Government.
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