Promotion and Prevention Programs
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health is proud to be able to work in the field of the promotion of mental health, the prevention of mental illness and the prevention of suicide on a national as well as a local level. The key areas in which we are working at the present time are:
Media – and the portrayal of issues of mental health, mental illness and suicide
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health has been contracted by the Department of Health and Ageing to manage the Mindframe Education and Training program that involves building a collaborative relationship with the Australian media and other sectors to encourage responsible, accurate and sensitive media representation of mental illness and suicide. The program has developed evidence-based resources, professional development and other strategies to engage nationally with news and entertainment media, journalism and public relations education, the mental health and suicide prevention sectors and police.
Teachers and children’s services workers – education and training for better mental health
Response Ability supports the preparation of teachers and children’s services workers, by providing resources for use in their professional training. The aim of the program is to better prepare these professionals for their roles in mental health promotion, the prevention of mental illness, and early intervention.
Children’s services workers – ongoing professional development for better mental health
Foundations is a magazine-style professional development resource distributed to children’s services staff in the Hunter, Mudgee and Taree areas. It provides theory and practical ideas, as well as interviews and suggestions from local practitioners.
Depression – preventing the impact on those who love and care
Partners in Depression is a six-week group education and support program that was developed in Newcastle by the Hunter Institute of Mental Health but which is now delivered nationally by facilitators who have been trained and accredited by the Institute.
Children’s Chronic Illness – preventing the impact on the child and the family
The Child Illness and Resilience Program is a new program of the Institute, commencing in 2012. The Institute will work with families and with professionals from the John Hunter Children’s Hospital (JHCH) and Kaleidoscope Children’s Health Network, to develop a resource or program to support family mental health, resilience and well being when a child has a chronic illness.
