NICOLETTA CROLLINI
Nicoletta Crollini is Haemophilia Social Worker at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney
Starting the new year can be a time of reflection about what’s going well and what’s troubling us in our lives.
I thought it might be useful to focus on mental health and how to access supports considering:
It is also worthwhile noting that the haemophilia and inherited bleeding disorder community is not exempt from dealing with mental health issues, with an estimated 2 out of every 5 people with haemophilia dealing with depression and/or anxiety.2
Raising awareness of the various mental health supports and services that anyone can access is important to ensure people always know where and how to seek the help and support needed.
There are plenty of services that are available to provide instant support to anyone dealing with a mental health issue or crisis. Below is a list of services that can be contacted to talk through what is happening in your life as well as link you in with long term supports.
SERVICE | CONTACT NO | WEBSITE | WHO FOR? |
Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636 | www.beyondblue.org.au | For everyone |
Headspace (NB .org.au not .com) | Find local centre online | www.headspace.org.au | For young people and parents |
Kids Helpline | 1800 551 800 | www.kidshelpline.com.au | For kids, young people and parents |
Lifeline | 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au | For everyone |
You can contact your local HTC and connect with the psychosocial worker at the Centre to talk through what is happening. If needed, the psychosocial worker can connect you with long term support and localised mental health services.
You can also visit your general practitioner (GP) who can complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan with you, which is a tailored plan that links you in with specific mental health support services.
I hope you find this information useful, and I encourage anyone who is struggling with any mental health issues to seek the support they need.
This article is adapted with permission from a previous article in the HFNSW newsletter: Crollini, N. Managing your mental health and supports. Factor Matters, 2022 March (49):7.
Haemophilia Foundation Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia, the land, waters and community where we walk, live, meet and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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