Psychological treatments and community support services

Psychological treatments: Psychological treatments can help people with schizophrenia to deal with their symptoms. These may be provided by a psychiatrist or other doctor, a psychologist or other mental health professional. One type of therapy called cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT for short) can be helpful for some people with depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia. It works by helping people to change their thinking, and can be a good way to learn how to deal with symptoms that aren't always controlled by medication. Someone may still hear voices, for instance, but learn ways of dealing with them so that this is less distressing. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): is another form of psychological treatment that many find helpful. This approach helps a person understand how their relationships with other people are affected by some of their beliefs and behaviour, and how making changes can improve these relationships. The Bowral Mental Health Service encourages people with any mental illness to seek any additional clinical support available in the Federal Government's "Better Access" program, from the health professionals who have practices in the local area. These clinicians range from psychotherapists to therapists, psychologists, clinical psychologists, accredited mental health nurses, social workers, general practitioners and private psychiatrists. Referrals to most of these clinicians in private practice can be made for the patient by their general practitioners. Very few clinicians may bulk bill the person using their service. However, medicare does fund most of the cost associated with the service provided. There may be a gap payment required - payable to the private clinician. It would be advisable to ask at the time of making any appointment. A user-friendly book about depression and cognitive behaviour therapy often recommended is "Feeling Better: A guide to mood management" by Dr Antony Kidman PhD. This is a low-cost, easy-to-read book and generally available from Angus and Robertson or other good bookstores in Bowral. What do community support services provide? The psychiatric disability experienced by many people with illnesses such as schizophrenia makes it important that they receive support to live as normal a life as possible in the community. Disability support services help people by providing:accommodation (including supported accommodation;)rehabilitation and recovery programs; social and recreation programs; employment;respite care; support for family and other carers. These services are generally provided by community agencies with funding from State and/or Federal government. Despite the importance of such programs in the lives of people affected by mental illness, there are still far too few of them, especially in country areas. A care coordinator or other mental health professional should be able to explain what is available in the local area. Over the past three years the Area Mental Health Service of the Sydney South West Area Health Service has negotiated funding for a number of non-government agencies to deliver these community based support services in the Wingecarribee: accommodation - Argyle Community Housing Inc; Illawarra Disability Trust (for people living in their own accommodation). Rehabilitation and recovery programs - Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW; Mission Australia. Social and recreational programs - Illawarra Disability Trust; Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW. Employment - Essential Personnel; Mission Australia (recovery and rehabilitation program). Respite care - Illawarra Disability Trust; Interchange Wingecarribee Inc. Support for family and other carers - Ilawarra Disability Trust; Home Care; Argyle Community Housing Inc; Carer Assist; Family Support Bowral; Benevolent Society of NSW. To know more about the availability of these services, and for referral to them, contact the Bowral Mental Health Service and their welfare and rehabilitation staff will be able to help you. The following information on schizophrenia is from the Sane Australia Guide to Schizophrenia 2005, produced with a grant from Bristol Meyers Squibb Pharmaceuticals. The source is gratefully acknowledged - www.sane.org.