The recipient of the Elli Lilly major award for Partnerships in Wellbeing 2010 Better Days better work, better health a

1. The recipient of the Elli Lilly major award for Partnerships in Wellbeing 2010 Better Days better work, better health and better lifestyle outcomes

2. Greenacres Disability Services have been supporting people with a disability since 1953 • Greenacres Business Services currently employ over 200 people on a disability support pension • 10% of these employees have a diagnosed mental health issue

3. Most of Greenacres’ employees with mental health issues – • have good levels of works skills • periods of instability throughout their daily lives • live independently and have very few close friends or family • have little support within the community

4. Issues for the workplace • staff were assisting employees with whole of life issues • despite this support, absenteeism, relapses and hospitalisations remained high • we needed to find another way!

5. The search began - • Through contact with local Mental Health Services we learnt • a Vocational Education Training & Employment • Coordinator could assist with a peer support group on site • a Mental Health Nurse could attend our site weekly • a private Psychologist could attend our site weekly through Medicare

6. Twelve months later what do we have? A peer support group that meets weekly and covers topics such as - • wellness recovery action plans • mind, body, life • psycho-education • community mental health services

7. Twelve months later what do we have? Weekly on-site support from 2 Mental Health Nurses from Illawarra Division of General Practice Weekly on-site support from private practice psychologist

8. The Outcomes – for participants • increased knowledge and awareness of mental health issues & community resources • plans in place for re-lapse intervention/prevention • wider social network • a sense of self-achievement & self belief • the severity of illness reduced & quality of life improved

9. The Outcomes – for the workplace • absenteeism reduced – 20% • increased productivity • targeted workplace support • increased stability of employees • increased task responsibility

10. Core Strengths of the Program • accessible professionals • interwoven layers of expertise & support • consistent coordinated approach through the teamwork of Mental Health professionals & Greenacres trainers

11. Professionals’ Roles VETE Coordinator • Vocational, Educational, Training and Employment • Part of the Community Mental Health Team of each Area Health • VETE role works with other services to provide this support • Assisted with setting up Better Days with expertise, resources and contacts • Continues to contribute to the group on a fortnightly basis

12. Professionals’ Roles Illawarra Division of General Practice Mental Health Nurses: • MHNIP – federally funded • provides individual flexible contact, support, monitoring mental state, problem solving, education, liaison, medication management • co-facilitate better days group • regular contact with the GP’s • Australian College of Mental Health Nurses www.acmhn.org

13. Professionals’ Roles Psychologist : • Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative federally funded • Goal focused, evidence based psychological interventions (up to 12 sessions with a further 6 sessions if appropriate) • CBT, ACT, relationship issues, trauma counselling, behaviour interventions • Supporting not only employees of the ADE but CP clients and staff.

14. The Future of Better Days Benefits of winning the Elli Lilly award for Partnerships in Wellbeing • Prize Money, Conference Presentations, Workshops, Resources. Consumer Participation and Advocacy: • Group Membership of NSW CAG • Attendance at Consumer Advocacy Workshop

15. The Future of Better Days Planned Topics for 2011: • Hearing Voices Peer Support Program • Male / Female Groups • Relationship issues • Sexual Health • Psychological interventions

16. The recipient of the Elli Lilly major award for Partnerships in Wellbeing 2010 Better Days better work, better health and better lifestyle outcomes

17. Comments from Better Days Participants • “I can talk about things openly and without fear of recrimination, judgment and discrimination.” Rebecca • “My wife and daughters have commented that there has been a big positive difference in home life.” Phillip • “What I liked about Better Days Group was the games we played in the getting to know you exercises i.e. building with straws.” Scott

18. Comments from Better Days Participants • “Better Days has given me the chance to make friendships with people, with the same illness as me. I can open up about my problems, without worry of getting put down or teased. Kim Capp is really helpful and the trust I’ve found within the group, I’ve notice that I’m not as depressed as I was in the past, as I don’t feel alone with my problems.” Karen • “I can be inspired to be myself.” Sharon • “I don’t feel like I have to go through this on my own anymore.” Chris

19. The recipient of the Elli Lilly major award for Partnerships in Wellbeing 2010 Better Days better work, better health and better lifestyle outcomes