Archive for the 'Bush Support Services' Category

Mental Health First Aid

I went along to this two day workshop recently here in Alice and found it well worthwhile. All members of the community would benefit from this standing alongside First Aid and like it has an action acronym. Undoubtedly courses like this help with the fear and stigma generally associated with mental health.
Mental health it seems unfortunately is an increasing or more recognized problem that is under-resourced. This was highlighted in the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Report.
This award-winning course is available nationally and if you look up the website (www.mhfa.com.au) you’ll be able to see where and when to access it.
Crisis situations of suicidal behaviours, acute stress reaction, panic attacks and acute psychotic behaviour are covered, as are depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

- Vicki Gordon

First Ever Blog!

Welcome to the Bush Support Services first ever blog post! We have never been so high-tech before and we are hoping that you will find the site interesting enough to contribute.

Given that some remote areas are about to go into the wet season, I thought a timely place to start would be to have a look at Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). As you are no doubt aware, people who suffer from SAD get depressed repeatedly in winter, or rather when the season changes. It is also known as the ìwinter bluesî. Symptoms can include lethargy and cravings for comfort foods such as chocolate.

What are your experiences of how the weather affects your (and your patientsí) emotional experience?

What are the other environmental factors that impact on your emotions?

What do you do to cope?

What factors let you know that things are improving?

- Annmaree