Individuals or families in the Whyalla region who are struggling with mental health issues now have specialised support through an innovative new program launched by leading community service group, Mission Australia.

Mission Australia is providing intensive one-to-one support under the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHAM) program at its Whyalla regional office to local people aged 16 years and over whose lives are severely affected by mental illness.

“Undiagnosed and unsupported mental health issues can be crippling for many people, and can ultimately affect their capacity to work, live at home and maintain important relationships,” said Mission Australia’s PHAM Team Leader Kathryn Hollingworth.

“But it doesn’t have to be like that,” she said. “With a focus on people’s strengths, our program looks at developing a range of important skills to enable them to lead positive, fulfilled and much happier lives.”

Ms Hollingworth said it was important to be able to offer support like the PHAM program in areas like Whyalla, and Mission Australia hoped in the coming months to make support available also to communities as far north as Coober Pedy.

“Mental health issues were once taboo in rural and regional Australia and many people still remain undiagnosed or unsupported because they are concerned about other people’s reactions or don’t know where to go to get help,” she said.

“We’ve been thrilled with the success of the program already, with our very first client – who looked like having to go into residential care because she was unable to look after herself - now capable of living independently,” she said.

The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program aims particularly to help people with mental health issues to:

• learn how to better manage everyday tasks such as housekeeping, managing finances and learning how to use public transport
• get relationships with family and friends back on track
• access appropriate clinical support
• address any parenting difficulties
• get involved in community activities, and
• connect with other services or programs that could provide recovery support, such as drug and alcohol, housing or medical support.

PHAM is funded by the Department of Families and Community Services and is a key part of the Australian Government’s Mental Health program.

For more information, please contact:

Kathryn Hollingworth on (08) 86 45 3399 or 0439502310, or Chris Rann, Rann Communication on 08 8211 7771.