My Health My Voice August 2024
Issue 43 | August 2024
New report reveals mental health and care needs in Melbourne’s centre, north and west
In 2023 North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) engaged with a range of people to help understand the mental health needs of people living within the 13 local government areas in our region.
The information gathered from these conversations, combined with other data, forms our Mental Health Needs Assessment.
Key findings of the report include:
- Brimbank has the highest need for mental health and wellbeing support in our region.
- Rates of hospital stays for suicidal thoughts or self-harm in Yarra, Melbourne, and Merri-bek are higher than the state average.
- Hume, Wyndham, and Brimbank also have high mental health needs.
- Psychiatry and psychology services are used less in Melbourne, Darebin, and Hobsons Bay.
- Though less common than some other conditions, schizophrenia has become the leading cause of mental health hospital stays since 2019.
- The number of GPs in the region has decreased while the number of psychologists has increased.
- Health professionals need support and training to provide trauma-informed and culturally safe care.
This needs assessment will now be used in advocacy work, to help build partnerships between different organisations, and to guide decisions about the types of services and activities that we prioritise and fund.
For more information, please refer to our website.
Community update
Do you have experience caring for a child diagnosed with ADHD?
NWMPHN has funded Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Royal Children’s Hospital to provide a new shared care service for children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in our region.
The service aims to build GPs’ knowledge and skills to share the care of children with ADHD.
We are seeking five people with children who have been diagnosed with ADHD to take part in two workshops. Participants will be invited to share experiences and help design the new service. They will also receive $100 per workshop.
To register and to find out more, click here.
For some patients, home is better than hospital
NWMPHN is working with Melbourne’s major hospitals to help people receive high-level treatment in their own homes.
Hospital-in-the-home services might help people who are:
- recovering from surgery
- being treated for infections, wounds or chronic (long-term) diseases
- receiving care for medical conditions related to ageing
- undergoing rehabilitation or cancer care
- receiving maternity or paediatric care (care for new mothers or children).
Talk to your doctor, nurse or other health professionals to find out more about your options and visit your health service’s website for more information.
Find out more about the hospital care at home initiative here.
Or watch this video.
Screening age lowered for bowel cancer – get your free test kit today!
As you get older, you are at higher risk of developing bowel cancer.
In July, the Australian Government lowered the eligible screening age for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program from 50 to 45.
People aged 50-74 will still be sent a free home test kit every two years, but now people aged 45 to 49 can join the program by requesting one from this National Cancer Screening Register webpage.
It’s not too late – get your jabs and stay safe
This winter, we know what to do to stay well against the flu and COVID-19.
Getting your flu shot and staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations will help protect you and those around you.
You can get both vaccines at the same time.
The flu shot is free if you are:
- aged six months to five years
- 65 or over
- pregnant
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and over 6 months old
- a person with medical conditions that put you at increased risk of severe flu.
All COVID-19 vaccinations are free to all people in Australia, including those without a Medicare card.
Book now with your doctor.
To find a provider near you, visit healthdirect.
Recipe
This recipe has been provided by Laura-May Willems, Population Health and Planning Admin Officer at NWMPHN.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts (approx. 600g)
- 3 crushed garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons of Moroccan spice mix (salt, turmeric, paprika, cumin, chilli)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1.5 cups of cous-cous
- 1.5 cups of boiling water (option to use vegetable or chicken stock)
- 1 tin of chickpeas
- 1 red capsicum
- 1 small cucumber
- 100 grams of feta cheese
- Handful of fresh mint leaves (can substitute for spinach or basil)
Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 230 °C fan forced.
- Place whole chicken breasts in a bowl, drizzle over the olive oil and generously rub with the Moroccan seasoning and fresh garlic. Let marinate for at least 15 mins (or longer!).
- Once marinated, place the chicken breasts on an oven tray and bake until chicken is cooked through (approx. 10 minutes on each side)
- Add 1.5 cups couscous to a heat proof bowl and add equal parts boiling water (option to use stock). Cover and set aside until all the water is absorbed. Once absorbed, fluff the couscous with a fork.
- Chop cucumber into half-moon shapes, dice red capsicum into small cubes, and roughly chop the mint leaves.
- In the couscous bowl toss through the cucumber, capsicum, crumbled feta, drained chickpeas, and mint leaves.
- Slice the chicken breast and serve over top of the couscous salad.
Want to get more involved?
Our People Bank is a register of people who would like to help us to improve the health of people in north western Melbourne.
