Mental health on the lower North Shore

Mental health is a huge issue in our region, with on average more than 59 people – mostly males – taking their lives annually.

Tragically, the youngest person was just eight years old, the oldest was 82. 

There is a coalition of mental health and suicide prevention services locally, including Lifeline Northern Beaches, which incorporates Mosman, and Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury, which is one of the largest Lifeline centres in Australia. It answers more than 100,000 calls to 13 11 14 every year and sees more than 1,500 face-to-face clients across all other services.

headspace Chatswood helps people aged 12-25, and other mental health services locally include Living Well in Northern Sydney, Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB) and its Seasons program, Chatswood Youth Centre, the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) and initiatives by Willoughby, North Sydney and Mosman Councils.

“The NSW government committed a $2.1 billion to mental health services in 2019-2020,” says a Northern Sydney Local Health District spokesperson. 

“This includes $100 million per year for specialist community mental health support and the 2019-20 budget for Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) is $1.7 billion – this is an increase of $57 million on the previous financial year’s annualised budget.

“Northern Sydney Local Health District strives to provide a range of accessible mental health services to all residents, and these roles include in-patient and out-patient services as well as work within the community.”

In-patients also participate in programs such as cooking groups, mindfulness, therapy pets, and peer support groups. 

Several of the district’s services are aimed towards at-risk groups, including children, young adults, the elderly and new parents, and the district is also exploring innovative programs to help those living with mental illness, including through exercise, writing and art.

The Older Persons Mental Health Service run the Arts on Prescription program, where a professional artist provided by HammondCare teaches older people new skills in visual arts, artistic movement, music, drama, poetry and photography.

People referred to the program are often experiencing mental illness or cognitive impairment, social isolation, anxiety, declining physical ability and have few opportunities to experience something new. 

The Physical Health Project is another initiative, which supports people living with a serious mental illness in the community to adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

The establishment of these clinics allows for integrated physical health care to be delivered and in the past 18 months, participants have achieved a number of positive results, including losing weight while also reducing other co-morbidities. 

This month sees the return of North Sydney Council’s Lost Bird Found project, where thousands of small birds made by volunteers will be distributed in the area to encourage discussion and awareness of mental illness. 

“Each bird represents a chance to start a conversation around mental health in a comfortable space,” says North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson. 

“Nearly everyone knows somebody who has had a mental illness. The premise of Lost Bird Found is to learn how to talk about mental health before you might need to.”

Willoughby Council’s Youth Services Team organises programs and activities, including at Chatswood Youth Centre, where young people can hang out and seek help and advice from youth workers. There is also a parents’ support forum dealing with issues including mental health, alcohol, drugs, and an LGBTQIA+ support group.

It also runs several programs at Dougherty Community Centre in Chatswood to enhance wellbeing, including Older Women’s Network Northside wellness activities, support groups including anxiety disorder support group, meditation and yoga. 

In Mosman Council, its Youth Services Team recently received a Certificate of High Commendation in the 2019 Mental Health Matters Awards by the Mental Health Association of NSW for its Market for Your Mind event.

The event gave local young people the opportunity to learn about healthy behaviours, positive mental health activities and awareness. Mosman Youth is again hosting a range of activities and workshops for young people for Mental Health this month. Visit mosman.nsw.gov.au for more information. 

A full range of mental health services can be found via nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au. Anyone experiencing mental health issues is encouraged to call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis line – 13 11 14.