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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Today in Griffith, MPHN and Wellways Australia officially launched ‘Well Connected’; a new psychosocial support program available throughout the Murrumbidgee region for people with severe mental illness.

MPHN is reviewing how it commissions mental health services to ensure delivery within a stepped care framework and to meet the needs of local communities.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said this review process will not disrupt existing mental health services.

MPHN has signed the National Communications Charter (The Charter) to formally demonstrate its commitment to how the organisation will talk about mental health, wellbeing and suicide. It’s the first Primary Health Network in New South Wales to formally commit to The Charter.

Last year, more than 900 students in the Murrumbidgee participated in a youth mental health program to build their tools for positive mental health and resilience as well as prevent suicide, thanks to the LifeSpan Murrumbidgee initiative led by Murrumbidgee PHN.

People often don’t know where to start to get the mental health services they need.

Your local GP or other health professionals can help connect you with the right mental health service.

Today, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) launched the Murrumbidgee Community Grants for activities to support communities living with the impacts of drought with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is providing $814,250 over the next three years to increase the support services available throughout the Murrumbidgee region for people with severe mental illness.

Today at The Globe Hotel, Deniliquin, the ‘Stay on Track’ initiative was launched, which provides information and support for those who may be having thoughts of suicide or friends who have noticed a mate is ‘just not the same’. 

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) today joined with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and five other PHNs to announce that ProCare Mental Health Services, a not-for-profit service provider, has been funded to operate a new psychiatry support line for GPs.

This week is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (11 – 17 June), and parents are being reminded about the various services available across the region to help support families and their young children.

A new initiative recently launched across the Murrumbidgee is aimed at increasing awareness of support for mental health, drug and alcohol concerns in the region – particularly after hours support.

MPHN recently met with the Consortium responsible for delivering the GPs with Special Interests in Mental Health Initiative.

The head of the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (PHN) believes under federal government changes to mental health support, services will soon be managed by local people, for local people.