Nakeya T. Fields, LCSW’s Post

NEW BLOG POST! Check out our most recent blog post regarding vicarious trauma in social care work. It may be unavoidable but there's lots we can do to protect ourselves. https://lnkd.in/eSQvvHwv #vicarioustrauma #secondarytrauma #selfcare #socialcarework #socialcareworkers

The Importance of Person-Centred Care in Domiciliary Care In the realm of domiciliary care, the significance of person-centred care cannot be overstated. This approach, which places the individual at the heart of their care, is especially crucial for those with mental health conditions. Person-centred care ensures that each individual’s unique needs, preferences, and values are respected and prioritised. This not only enhances the quality of care but also fosters a sense of dignity and autonomy. For individuals with mental health conditions, this approach can be transformative. It helps in building trust, reducing anxiety, and promoting a sense of security and well-being. By focusing on the person rather than the condition, caregivers can create a supportive environment that encourages positive mental health outcomes. This holistic approach can lead to improved emotional and psychological well-being, better coping strategies, and a higher quality of life. In domiciliary care, where individuals often face isolation and vulnerability, person-centred care acts as a beacon of hope and support. It reminds us that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. EarlyBird Lifestyle Support Ltd #DomiciliaryCare #PersonCentredCare #MentalHealth #Caregiving #Healthcare #EarlyBirdLifestyleSupport

Caregiving can significantly impact mental health in a positive way. Someone struggling with mental health, often feels symptoms such as depression, loss of interest in activities, and sleep disturbances. Caregiving is a compassionate act that involves providing support to those who cannot fully care for themselves, but it also requires awareness and management of the caregiver's own mental health. #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #colonialhomecareservices #inhomecaregiver #inhomecare #seniorcare #homecare #caregiving #homecareservices🏡

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. During this month, we strive to increase understanding of mental health and decrease the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues. It's important to highlight how mental illness and addiction can affect not only the patients but also their providers, families, and our society as a whole. Join us today in spreading awareness and making a difference. #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #colonialhomecareservices #inhomecaregiver #inhomecare #seniorcare #homecare #caregiving #homecareservices🏡

Great that the Daily Record is covering our new report The Rural Divide which highlights how young people’s mental health is suffering in rural areas because they have to wait longer for the vital support they need. https://lnkd.in/eppsfJht

The very sad events that took place in Bondi Junction in Sydney last week have put mental health consumers in the media spotlight once again. We know that discussion about people with mental health challenges being framed as violent can worsen our own feelings about and experiences with stigma and discrimination. These discussions also often become politicised as a way of enforcing policy and practices that restrict our human rights and may cause us harm, which can in turn lead to people feeling reluctant to ask for support. Lived Experience Australia recently made an insightful and heartfelt statement about the events and pointed out that much of the media coverage and messaging has been around updating people on what happened and has directed people to resources or services where they can ‘be safe’, with the underlying message being that it is our responsibility as individuals to control our behaviour in order to prevent incidents like the one in Sydney. Like Lived Experience Australia, we firmly believe that meaningful change is needed throughout the mental health, health and other community services systems as well as in communities in general, and that there is only so much any one individual can be responsible for. For CoMHWA, we will continue to challenge stigmatising language and advocate for better and safer services that treat people with dignity, respect and autonomy. We will also continue to provide opportunities in our non-advocacy programs for people to connect with other people with lived experience, and we will continue to support our members to find services that are right and appropriate for them. We do recognise though that this is also a time where people might need extra support to manage big feelings around a distressing situation, and we encourage you to consider what supports or strategies work for you – whether that’s taking a break from watching the news, connecting with a friend, or getting help from a service. If accessing crisis supports is something you need, we have compiled a list below but we recognise that for many people, you have your own preferred supports in place already. Our thoughts are with the people affected by these events, and we hope you take care of yourselves and the people you love during this time. • Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au or text 0477 13 11 14 • SANE Australia Helpline: 1800 18 7236 or sane.org • Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36 or beyondblue.org.au • Head to Health: 1800 595 212 or headtohealth.gov.au • Headspace: 1800 650 850 or headspace.org.au • ReachOut: reachout.com • 13 YARN: 13 92 76 or 13YARN.org.au • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au • Peer Pathways: 9477 2809 or [email protected] • Here For You: 1800 437 348

🌟 "Connecting with People Who Care – A mental health system that embraces family, kin, whanau and community" was the theme of the recent annual theMHS (the Mental Health Service) Forum attended by our Policy and Advocacy team members, Sue Goodwin and Tim Johnston. For the first time, the spotlight was on carers and community. Over two days, local and international experts and stakeholders shared insights into adopting community-wide approaches to mental health, amplifying the voices of those with Lived Experience and greater participation by family, kin, whanau and the community in the mental health system. Key presenters included people with Lived Experience as both a carer and consumer (i.e. someone accessing services for their own mental ill-health); the CEO of Mental Health First Aid International; a National Health Commissioner and the Carer Commissioner from the Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. It was an invaluable opportunity to explore practice ideas for fostering a mental health system that embraces family, kin, whanau and community including: 1/ Whole of community approach that connects with 'hidden carers.' To bring about necessary change in the mental health system, we first need to change the ideologies and mental health models that underpin the system. Whole of community and whole of life approaches that focus on “recovery of citizenship” within a community, rather than just personal recovery are important ingredients. Kenneth Thompson, the Chief Medical Officer of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Leadership Council suggested, “What makes people mentally well is living in healthy communities… We can decrease the need for a mental health system if we address community.” Furthermore, mental health services are still struggling to connect in a meaningful way with ‘hidden carers’, including those in First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, and those who are young carers. 2/ The importance of participation by families, carers and kin. To drive meaningful change, we must recognise families, carers, and kin as essential partners in mental health care planning and delivery and place a much greater focus on prevention and early intervention. In addition, if mental health carers are going to be invited to participate in decision-making groups related to the mental health system, they need to be given advocacy training and be engaged in authentic co-design processes. 🤝 We're committed to continuing these vital conversations and connections with people who care, as we work towards a mental health system that truly embraces family, kin, whanau, and community. #arafmi #arafmiqld #youarenotalone #mentalhealthcarers #mentalhealthsupport #carersupport #carersupportqld #MentalHealthMatters #CommunitySupport #PolicyAdvocacy #MentalHealthReform #LivedExperience

Are you concerned about an elderly loved one dealing with depression and isolation? Life changes can take a toll, but there are ways to improve their well-being. Encourage new hobbies, social interactions, and physical activities to bring joy and purpose back into their lives. For more tips, check out our blog post: #SeniorCare #Depression

When families get support for themselves, recovery outcomes improve for everyone. Yet family members often postpone their own healing, thinking it's selfish to focus on themselves when their loved one is in crisis. This well-intentioned sacrifice can actually hinder recovery progress. At Online Interventions, we've found that families who engage in their own therapeutic support are better equipped to: - Maintain healthy boundaries - Recognize enabling behaviors - Navigate the complex emotions of recovery - Make clearer decisions during critical moments The data is clear: treatment outcomes improve significantly when family members receive professional support alongside their loved ones. This isn't about dividing focus - it's about strengthening the entire support system. Whether you're supporting someone in early recovery or long-term sobriety, remember that your wellbeing matters too. Professional help isn't just available - it's essential. #AddictionRecovery #FamilySupport #MentalHealth #WellnessJourney https://lnkd.in/gX4QjBeY

Here's how three Michigan CMHs serving rural areas support clients' mental health by counteracting stigma, supporting transportation options, and partnering with other community organizations to provide wraparound care. https://lnkd.in/dhc4fZZn