Once were Warriors

Before and after...

 

Proving that the staff of the mental health program are indeed ‘tough cookies’, there appears to be a growing trend to tackle mud-based obstacle runs.

In April, some 24 participants from Dandenong Mental Health (along with Trish Dito from Moorabbin) tackled the Miss Muddy at Sandown Racecourse with all entrants completing the 5km course in approximately an hour and a quarter.

This follows the efforts last December from a smaller team of Kaylene Rowe (Operations Manager), Jakqui Barnfield (DON), Reggie Traynor, Rachel Gwyther (Clinical Nurse Consultant), who joined forces to take on the Warrior Challenge.

Conquering 30 obstacles over a gruelling 15km of mud and dirt at the picturesque Lake Mountain, the team finished looking a little worse for wear (you should have seen the bruises), but with a great sense of achievement and smiles all round.

Well done everyone.

Backyard blitz for Stepping Stones

The outdoor area at Stepping Stones Adolescent Inpatient Unit at Monash Medical Centre received a garden makeover over summer, when volunteers from the Rotary Club of Clayton and Bunnings South Oakleigh joined forces for the day.

The generous team sweated it out in the sun, replacing tired outdoor furniture with a new timber setting, filling timber planter boxes with colour plants and lining the outdoor fencing with bamboo for a warm garden feel.

Massive heartfelt thanks are extended to Warren from the Rotary Club of Clayton, along with the Bunnings South Oakleigh team of Ameetha, Amerigo and Graeme for their incredible efforts and exceptional generosity.

With the warmer weather upon us, this rejuvenated outdoor area will be wonderfully well-received, and create a genuine difference to everyone from the Early in Life Mental Health Service.

 

 

Warren from the Rotary Club of Clayton (second from left), joined the South Oakleigh Bunnings team of Ameetha, Amerigo and Graeme to generously donate their time and resources for a garden makeover at the Stepping Stones Adolescent Inpatient Unit at Monash Medical Centre.

 

 

Wellness and Recovery Centre now open at Dandenong



Professor David Clarke (Monash Health Mental Health Program Medical Director), Lawrence Harvey (Wellness and Recovery Centre Manager), and Julie Campbell (Nurse Unit Manager), cut the ribbon to officially open the new Wellness and Recovery Centre. 

The relocation of the Monash Health Wellness and Recovery Centre (WRC) from Monash Medical Centre to Dandenong Hospital was made official with the opening of a wonderful refurbished four-bed unit in early December 2014.

A dedicated team of staff and supporters were on hand to launch the new facility, which offers a supportive and positive environment for patients with eating disorders.

The new facility has purpose-built spaces for relaxation and a dining room for meal support therapy. The service is a part of West 4 and takes the total bed numbers to 40 for the ward.

Speaking at the launch, Professor David Clarke, Monash Health’s Mental Health Program Medical Director, commented that the unit addressed many of the issues and concerns identified with the previous site, and stood to be a wonderful addition for Monash Health and the patients within our catchment.

Congratulations are extended to everyone involved in this project. The collaboration between the mental health program, general medicine and the West 4 nursing team should be commended as an example of partnerships for better service.

Patients presenting with serious eating disorders are some of the most vulnerable, and this unit is a positive environment to aid their recovery.

Your new digital newsletter

As we all settled into 2015, we are very pleased to launch the new ‘electronic’ Monash Health Mental Health eNewsletter.
 
This newsletter will be circulated throughout the entire mental health program staff – providing an opportunity to communicate to colleagues, proudly convey achievements, shed light on activities and programs, and help unite this incredible area of health.
Most importantly, this is your newsletter. And in order for it to be the best it can be – and contain the information you want – it needs your help.

Mental health is a diverse, challenging and rewarding area of health. It is filled with stories, events, successes, new ways of thinking and more – and these should be shared. However, given how diverse mental health is, it is very hard for any one single person to know everything that is going on.

That’s why this newsletter needs you to share your stories, events, achievements and more. It doesn’t have to be long, it doesn’t have to be detailed and it doesn’t even have to be particularly well written – but it does need you to pass on the information.

So what constitutes an idea for the eNewsletter?

Some broad themes for submissions include:

1.       Pride

2.       Education

3.       Personal stories

4.       Noticeboard

Pride: Ideas that fall under ‘Pride’ might include achievements and awards, the awarding of a grant, a new position or appointment, the launch of a new program or recognition of a staff member’s service. As the name would suggest, these are the events or achievements that we should proudly share with each other and further afield.

Education: Given how diverse mental health is, it is very difficult for everyone to know what each other is doing.  An explanation of a service, the launch of a trial or pilot service, new research or a personal insight into our individual roles helps us all appreciate the work undertaken in the Mental Health Program.

Personal stories: Many staff members have wonderful experiences and positive community engagement while undertaking their work. The ability to share those experiences – either directly, or through a willing client – reminds us all of the positive elements of our work, and sheds personal insight that can benefit everyone.

Noticeboard: Upcoming events and announcements within the department give everyone an understanding of what is happening. Help generate support and pride by sharing them with others.

This is by no means an exhaustive list and suggestions are always welcome. 

We hope you enjoy your newsletter.

Submissions for the Mental Health eNewsletter, should be emailed to Jonathan Green in Public Affairs at jonathan.green@monashhealth.org

Wherever possible, please include a photo, and be sure to include all names of people in the image.