[ad_1]
At age 23, Rhiannon Mackie is excited about her future – she is engaged, she studies for her dream career and is willing to make a difference as a social worker.
Wollongong's wife would like to be able to tell her 18- About a year old that life would be better, that all hope was not lost.
At the time, her ongoing struggle against depression and anxiety had been exacerbated by her mother's loss to cancer, and she had felt isolated and lonely. And after writing notes to her relatives and exposing her funeral instructions, she had tried to end her own life.
"I felt so desperate and lonely, and I had so much grief because of the loss of my mother and I did not want to deal with the pain anymore," she says. that night, and my attempts to end my life did not work. "
After her hospitalization, she finally got the support she needed through emergency services. "To date, I believe this is what has allowed me to acquire the tools needed to deal with anxiety and panic attacks, the tools needed to manage my sorrow, "she said. always use a general practitioner and a free space counselor if needed.
"I have everything to live for now," she said. "And I want others to know that after a suicide attempt, life can get better."
"You'll have goals, achievements, and dreams – things that you did not have because that you were in a dark space will grow as you improve. "
" But you have to ask for help.
Ms. Mackie urged people with mental health issues and / or suicidal thoughts to consult a general practitioner, who may be able to help them access free counseling sessions.
Dr. Fiona Shand of the Black Dog Institute stated that people with suicidal behaviors frequently visited their GPs in the weeks or days before suicide, making them ideal candidates for identifying risk. by suicide, they saw their doctor in the month that preceded their death, and up to 20% saw their doctor in the week before death, "she says. when it is integrated into a multifaceted "The decrease in total suicide rates related to the excellence of care provided by general practitioners is between 22 and 73%, suggesting that education and training building capacity of health professionals "
To this end, a new project called StepCare has been introduced to three general practitioners (see below) at the local level, and many of them are more eager to board
. NSW Primary Health Network) also works with suicide prevention practices for all staff – call 1300 069 002 for more details.
Meanwhile, Mercury, with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collective, leads a campaign to get community members to complete the QPR: Question, persuasion, refer to the course in line on suicide prevention.
Take a Mental Health Check While You Wait
Best Practice: Kerri Haines, Manager of Medical Practice Thirroul, with Associate Professor Ann Ellacott of the Thirroul Clinic. Patients from three general surgeries in the area can get a mental health checkup in the waiting room.
Their responses to an electronic screening survey are quickly transmitted to their GP, who can sort out any problem during their consultation
Thirroul GP Medical Practice, Associate Professor Ann Ellacott, said the new screening tool – called StepCare – helped identify people at risk.
"Like most general practices, we are seeing a growing number of mental health problems. "But often, they do not show up until a patient is completely debilitated by the disorder.
"Now we have a way to screen for mental health problems so we can have conversation and preventative management. "
The StepCare project is being conducted in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute, as part of its LifeSpan suicide prevention program.If problems are identified, the institute works with the GP to provide ongoing support to Patient.
LifeSpan's director, Dr. Fiona Shand, stated that the evaluation of StepCare revealed relatively common thoughts of death or self-injury in patients.] "Half of these people were not attending the general practitioner's visit for mental health reasons, and 40% of them had never visited a general practitioner for their mental health, "she added. [19659004] Kerri Haines, responsible for Thirroul's practices, said the patients supported the initiative. "We introduced the project because we understand the need to improve mental health care in our community. As a practice, we want to do everything we can to solve any problem from the beginning.
The Better Care Medical Center, Fairy Meadow, and Terralong Street Surgery in Kiama also operate StepCare.
If you wish to speak to any of the issues raised in this article, call Lifeline on 13 11 14; Suicide Recall Service 1300 659 467 or MensLine 1300 789 978.
[ad_2]
Source link
