Connections Count

GP down south has been successful in securing funding from WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) through Commonwealth Government’s Psychological Treatment Services for People with Mental Illness Living in Residential Aged Care Facilities in the South West of WA to deliver the Connections Count program.
 
The Connections Count program will be based on a stepped care model, which provides a framework which matches interventions to resident’s needs.  The program will be suitable for people presenting with mild to moderate mental ill health or severe mental ill health that is episodic in nature.  Psychological therapies will be provided face to face by qualified Mental Health Clinicians on site.
 
The general issues most commonly expected to be seen under this program include:
 

1. Residents who are having significant transition issues and experiencing adjustment disorders or abnormal symptoms of grief and loss, for whom early treatment may avert descent into a more serious mood disorder.  This group does need to be differentiated from residents who are exhibiting normal sadness and/or transition issues;
2. Residents with mild or moderate anxiety and/or depression;
3. Residents with a past history of mental illness for which they received services before being admitted which could not be continued;
4. Residents who may have experienced elder abuse or past or recent trauma;
5. Residents who, in addition to their mental illness, have a level of comorbid cognitive decline and/or dementia.

 
We are contacting eligible residential facilities individually with an invitation to participate in an online information session in February.  In the meantime if you have any queries please contact our Busselton office on 9754 3662.