Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) along with partners invites community members and professionals to the 2023 Suicide Prevention Forum in Orange NSW.

WNSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) invite community members and those with an interest in suicide prevention to come together on 12th October for the WNSW PHN Suicide Prevention Forum. The forum aims to encourage conversations, break the stigma and collaborate and learn about the future of suicide prevention in western NSW. All too often, people in marginalised or economically disadvantaged groups or those living in rural and remote areas find it difficult to access timely, appropriate and relevant support. 

Recent times have also brought on many challenges including recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, record breaking and devastating floods in the region, and more recently the cost of living crisis, there has never been a better time to get the conversation going.

WNSW PHN aim to create a space for people to connect with each other. Bringing together approximately 300 healthcare professionals, community members with an interest in suicide prevention, a number of presenters from service providers, the Western NSW Local Health District and keynote speaker and MC, Dr Norman Swan, from ABC RN’s The Health Report, the day is an opportunity to share the latest knowledge, information, hear stories of lived experience and collaborate together to identify gaps and discuss solutions.

This event is free for all attendees however spots are strictly limited. Catering will be provided on the day. Tickets are available at www.123tix.com.au/events/39686/wnsw-phn-suicide-prevention-forum-2023.

Rural Aid is playing a vital role in helping school children bounce back from their traumatic flood experiences with the roll-out of the Mustering Growth wellbeing program.

Developed in collaboration with experts at Monash University, the program focuses on strengthening kids’ innate resilience, normalising mental health experiences and decreasing stigma, increasing mental health literacy, and building strategies to cope with challenges that are unique to the experiences of rural children. 

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said “Rural kids are the farmers of our future, and we recognise that many of our ‘little mates in the bush’ need some extra help and support.” 

“Last year’s floods left many children struggling with strong feelings and requiring support,” said John. 

The program is fun, interactive, flexible and includes nature-based activities. Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Myf Pitcher, said Mustering Growth was helping kids be the healthiest version of themselves by teaching them a variety of tools. “We’ve had great feedback from schools who’ve already taken part. One facilitator reported at the program’s end: ‘Children discussed how it helped calm them down when they were feeling anxious’,” Myf said. 

Mustering Growth is run by Rural Aid’s counsellors and is completely free for schools. Primary schools across Australia are being encouraged to reach out to Rural Aid for more information on the program. For further information contact Myf Pitcher at mhwb@ruralaid.org.au 

All Australians, Aged care providers, residents and families are invited to join the Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) and say a giant ‘thanks for caring’ to our dedicated and compassionate aged care staff to mark Aged Care Employee Day on Mondayth August.

This will be the fifth time we have celebrated our thousands of aged care workers with Aged Care Employee Day (ACED).

ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson said workers in aged care had gone above and beyond the call of duty in this past year and continue to face immense challenges in providing care and support for older Australians.

“As we approach Aged Care Employee Day on Monday, we want to keep in mind the almighty effort put in by aged care workers and encourage the public to take a moment and say, ‘thank you for caring’,” Mr Symondson said.

“They all deserve our thanks for their professionalism, their warmth, and their enthusiasm to help older Australians live comfortably.”

ACCPA congratulates our aged care heroes for their dedication, compassion and their hard work and we encourage the public to give them the recognition they so handsomely deserve.

Dementia Australia has welcomed the publication of the results of a trial showing that a new drug, donanemab, has been able to slow the progression of symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease. 

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said this drug was an exciting new development and another step forward in expanding the number of treatments for dementia. 

“With dementia the second leading cause of death of Australians, and the leading cause of death of Australian women, we welcome any steps taken towards improving the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers,” said Ms McCabe. 

“Donanemab will need to be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia. It also comes with possible side effects that need to be carefully monitored by health professionals.” 

The drug, developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, works by inducing antibodies designed to attach to and remove amyloid plaques from the brain. 

Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Bill Yeates, who was diagnosed with younger-onset-dementia in 2019, said the results were remarkable. 

“This demonstrates that it is possible to significantly slow down the rate of cognitive decline through the removal of amyloid beta (plaques) from the brain,” Mr Yeates said. 

“For me it’s that ‘ray of hope’ that I believed would happen one day, where people living with dementia can have a future. One where you can lead a better life, one that you value.” 

For support contact National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. For information visit dementia.org.au 

R U OK? is a public health promotion charity aiming to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues. 

Joiner’s theory describes three forces at play in someone at risk of suicide, one of which is a decreased sense of belonging.

R U OK? Day is an annual National Day of Action; held on Thursday 2nd September, and a reminder that every day is a day to start a conversation.

Asking R U OK?, how are you doing, or what’s going on for you – is the first step, but genuinely listening to the answer is key. That’s why it’s important you’re here to hear – whatever comes next.

Make sure you’re giving your mate, your colleague, your family member or loved one the right environment to open up. They know you, you know them. You know when they feel most at ease. So, take some time to think about where and how you’ll be completely here to hear.

Choose a time and a place where you can give your full attention, free of distractions. Create a situation where the person you’re asking feels comfortable discussing difficult thoughts, feelings, or emotions.

Tie it into something that makes sense to you both – no matter what that is and where it takes you. From a walk in the park, a sit down over a coffee, or a quiet night in, you’ll know when and where will be best.

Every day is the day to ask R U OK? and let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear, because a conversation could change a life. 

Sixty-day dispensing may sound good, but if you dig a little deeper, it is rural and regional Australia that will pay, writes Trent Twomey of the Pharmacy Guild.

“I fear patients won’t realise the true impact of 60-day dispensing until the pharmacy they’ve got, is gone. And by then it will be too late,” said Trent.

An independent report published recently by respected economist Henry Ergas AO, along with Tulipwood Advisory and the Relational Insights Data Lab at Griffith University has revealed the policy will lead to the loss of 20,818 community pharmacy jobs and the closure of 665 pharmacies nationwide.

Soon regional patients will feel the effect with cuts to free services such as blood pressure monitoring, diabetes management, websters packs for the aged and home delivery of medicines.

These are all services which the current dispensing arrangement helps pay for and keeps your local pharmacy‘s doors open for longer.

Unless the government delays the implementation of 60-day dispensing, as has been recommended, you will be seeing more of these cuts and closures from September when the policy is in place.