Accessibility
Accessibility
Upon learning of the incident, APMHA collaborated with the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) to assess the impact on existing clients and determine the capacity to provide immediate support through rapid response to new referrals.
Specialist disaster units and counselling support was readily assembled to support victims, families, and witnesses, ensuring that comprehensive care was available to all impacted individuals.
Recognising the potential emotional toll on their clinical workforce, APMHA proactively offered Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to staff who may have been directly affected by the incident. APMHA’s response and collaboration with local health networks continues to demonstrate APMHA’s dedication to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the communities it serves.
Despite severe flooding affected regions where APMHA operates (Shepparton office with floodwaters reaching the doors, and the Seymour satellite office being lost entirely) our dedicated team mobilised immediately, attending local community hubs, relief centres, aged care facilities, and conducting home visits as soon as it was safe to do so.
This proactive approach ensured that individuals and families received timely psychological support during the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
Recognising the prolonged nature of the crisis, APMHA extended its efforts beyond initial relief. The organisation reached out to all clients engaged at that time to assess the impact of the floods and determine ongoing support needs. This follow-up demonstrated APMHA’s dedication to long-term recovery and its understanding that the effects of such disasters can persist well beyond the immediate response phase.
APMHA’s commitment to the wellbeing of its rural workforce was also at the forefront of this disaster response, offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and other support to staff directly impacted and/or first responders supporting the community during this challenging period. By acting swiftly to provide immediate assistance and maintaining ongoing support for both clients and staff, APMHA reinforced its role as a trusted mental health service provider in times of crisis.
The 2019–20 Eastern Victorian bushfires were significant. Lives were lost, thousands were displaced, and numerous communities were temporarily isolated. The bushfires were unlike any previous fire events because they burned over many months and occurred alongside bushfires across the eastern seaboard and other parts of Australia. For those who had just commeroted the 10th anniversary of the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires, there was re-triggering and increased fear.
In the North East region of Victoria, the 30th December will be a date we remember – the bushfires resulted in far-reaching devastation for local people, communities, ecosystems, businesses and infrastructure. The LGAs affected were Towong, Alpine, Wangaratta, Mansfield, Indigo and Wodonga.
On the 6th of January, APMHA Executive Team met to discuss how we can support local communities, provide much needed assistance and engage key stakeholders to prepare a joint collaborative response. By the 10th of January, APMHA opened their dedicated 1300 line and quickly created collateral with key phone numbers and links to support. This dedicated phoneline was heavily promoted throughout the bushfire region of NE Vic and through BRV website and PHN Basecamp. The Phoneline enabled local residents to have quick access to psychological support through allocation by the APMHA intake team.
A provisional referral pathway was established for identified vulnerable persons, to enable in-reach and home visit to conduct mental health wellbeing checks. A dedicated website landing page was established on APMHAs website to further support residents and community members. It provided resources, links and contact numbers for critical support services. We commenced direct in-reach to impacted communities on the 13th of January delivering a number of critical supports to the community throughout 2020 and 2021.
Navspace, an interactive service directory website was also launched in October 2021 to keep track of all stakeholders involved in this collaborative response to community recovery.
Centralised intake, triage and assessment line.
Debriefing and psychological team support for organisations.
Vulnerable persons notification service – follow ups on people wanted a check up or home visit
Attended a variety of community meetings, recovery centres etc and distributed support materials to over 350 people.
Delivery of psychological Therapy Services for community members.
Expanded our workforce to account for the increase in counselling sessions and demand.
Total of 190 clients accessed Bushfire support through the 1300 number established within one week of bushfires.
Total of 1045 service contacts were delivered over the funding period by 19 practitioners, delivering services face to face and via telehealth.
Developed an interactive service directory website called NavSpace, which was launched 8th October 2021.
APMHA acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of all the lands on which we as APMHA work and acknowledge all elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that First Nations sovereignty was never ceded and this continent always was and always will be First Nations land. We deeply acknowledge and value the strength, resilience, and insight of our clients and staff with lived and living experience. Their unique perspectives are integral to shaping our approach and ensuring that our services remain compassionate, effective, and truly supportive of those we serve.
APMHA Healthcare Ltd. 3A Nixon Street Shepparton 3631
Call us: 1300 514 811 | Fax: 03 9376 0317
APMHA HealthCare Ltd is Accredited under the following standards: AS/NZS ISO-9001-2016, National Standards for Mental Health Services – 2010 and is a NDIS Registered Provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
