During this week on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) and R U OK? Day (12 September) we’re reminded to ask, “Are you OK?” and to remember that every day of the year we should support people who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs.

People in the Murrumbidgee area who have breathing difficulties related to asthma and hay fever need to prepare now for the start of the spring thunderstorm season, advises Murrumbidgee Asthma Collaborative.

MPHN is providing locals an opportunity to share their stories about health in our region in an effort to learn more about what is working well, what can be improved and ideas to better support communities in addressing health needs.

MPHN has been undertaking a review of our mental health stepped care model to help to inform how we commission mental health services in the future and many people from across our region have provided feedback on their experience accessing mental health services we fund.

MPHN has organised free farmer health checks at the NSW Farmers shed at Henty Machinery Field Days, made possible with funding from the Australian Government’s ‘Empowering Our Communities’ initiative to support mental health and wellbeing in drought affected communities.

This October will see General Practitioners in the Murrumbidgee among the first to participate in an international standard education session in a regional centre in Australia.

A new drought initiative aimed at providing young people living on drought-affected farms across the Murrumbidgee respite for a weekend adventure to the New South Wales and Victorian high country.

MPHN is currently seeking expressions of interest from local Narrandera community members to consider becoming a Trusted Advocate to listen and support people who are feeling the impacts of the drought on their mental health and wellbeing.

MPHN has now opened nominations for its Primary Healthcare Awards to recognise the valuable and significant work being undertaken by health professionals, organisations and communities to improve health outcomes across the region.

We have had a busy couple of months since my last update, since then we have launched and progressed valuable resources, programs and projects.

Today, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) launched its Tell it Well series of stories from people living in the region about their experiences with mental health, wellbeing and drought in an effort to support others by letting them know they are not alone on their journey.

Earlier this year, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) commenced a review of how it funds allied health services across the region to understand the allied health needs of the community.

People of West Wyalong and its surrounding communities can share their stories and experiences about their health and local health services, with feedback cards available from the hospital, pharmacy, local council office and library, as well as at the Bust the Dust event on Saturday 29 June 2019.

After completing an extensive health needs assessment across the Murrumbidgee region, MPHN has released its latest findings; identifying priorities for the region and individual Local Government Areas (LGAs) where efforts should be concentrated to address key issues and healthcare needs.

MPHN has released a new undated financial year diary, which is free to people in the Murrumbidgee impacted by drought. The diaries contain helpful information about mental health and wellbeing.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) has delivered at least $564,000 in community grants for various activities in local communities to support the mental health and wellbeing of those affected by drought.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said these activities have helped reach more than 10,600 people across the region since the Murrumbidgee Community Grants were launched in December last year.

It’s hard to believe we have almost reached the halfway mark of 2019! On reflection, there’s much we have achieved and plenty more to progress for the rest of the year.

Organisations and community groups through the Murrumbidgee now have access to mental health and suicide prevention resources to help them build local awareness, community capacity and reduce stigma.

The theme for National Palliative Care Week 2019 is ‘What matters most?’ The theme addresses the need for Australians to plan ahead for their end-of-life care and discuss it with their loved ones and health professionals.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN) inaugural Pitch Night held on Thursday, 2 May in Griffith was attended by more than 100 people who pledged $106,800 in total funding, shared among three projects; Live Life Get Active, Giz a Break, Exceptional Ageing.

Last night in Wagga Wagga a region-wide winter strategy was launched to address the increased demand on healthcare services in the winter months both in the community and in hospitals.

Under the Empowering our Communities initiative MPHN offers mental health support to help farmers and rural communities deal with the uncertainty, stress and anxiety of drought conditions. MPHN invites the rural workforce to attend free training sessions facilitated by the Blue Knot Foundation.

MPHN, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) and other key stakeholders, including general practice and NSW Ambulance, are working together to better respond to the surge in healthcare demand over the winter period.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is pleased to announce its three inaugural Pitch Night finalists as Live Life Get Active, Balance Up Nutrition, and Western Riverina Community College. Each finalist is expected to receive around $25,000 in one-off grant funding.

MPHN in partnership with Murrumbidgee Local Health District is working to improve access to health care services where disparities have been identified for mothers and their young children across the Murrumbidgee region.

Today MPHN staff celebrated National Close the Gap Day with a morning tea to raise awareness of the continuing gap in health and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

LifeSpan Murrumbidgee and MPHN today hosted training to encourage responsible, accurate and sensitive representation of mental illness and suicide in the public arena. The training was delivered by Mindframe and supported by Black Dog Institute.

Wagga’s first Mardi Gras was held on Saturday, with staff from MPHN and Murrumbidgee Local Health District partnering to form a colourful team celebrating and supporting diversity in our community and workplaces.

MPHN celebrates International Women’s Day by hearing from its two most senior female leaders, CEO Melissa Neal and recently elected Board Chair Dr Jodi Culbert.

MPHN is pleased to launch its Pitch Night initiative, providing grassroots funding for activities aimed at improving community health and wellbeing. The inaugural Pitch Night will be held in Griffith on Thursday 2 May and three organisations will be given the opportunity to pitch their ideas on the night and receive MPHN funding. Participants will assist MPHN determine the funding each finalist receives, with each finalist expected to receive around $25,000 in one-off grant funding.