Supporting everyone to be healthy and live well

Wellbeing and Primary Mental Health

Contact Details

Hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday
Location: Medical Consulting Suites, 17 Francis St Echucua
Phone: 03 5485 5800
Fax: 03 5485 5885

Services

Community Counselling Services

Counselling Services aim to improve well-being in the community by offering supportive counselling, therapy, practical support, and referrals to other services, and advocacy for individuals or groups. Services can be provided on a one-to-one basis for adolescents, children and families. Echuca Regional Health Counselling Services can assist with a wide range of issues, for example family and relationship issues, family violence, trauma, meditation/mindfulness, grief and loss, living/managing chronic illness, adjusting to medical changes, depression, anxiety and related conditions.

There is no cost associated with this service however appointments are prioritised based on need. Referrals can be made by professionals or by the individual themselves via phone (0354 855 800) or connecting care.

Acute Hospital Social Work

Social Work services operate from a multidisciplinary perspective to ensure that patients and family’s needs are met in a person centred manner.

This ensures that the focus is not only on the disease but rather the person as a whole. Social Work services assist all departments/wards inclusive of oncology and palliative care.

Support can be varied from emotional and practical support (for example; supportive counselling to manage changes in health, grief and loss, assistance to transition to home or alternative accommodation, assistance to access service provision, assistance with future planning and care, family violence, trauma, vulnerable babies or children at risk, mental health, end of life care, support with discharge planning and concerns re: decision making capacity). Referral to the Social Work Department is completed by ward staff.

Sub-Acute (inclusive of palliative care suites)

Social Work works within the sub-acute ward in a multi-disciplinary capacity. All clients when admitted to sub-acute have access to Social Work to provide both emotional and practical support during their sub-acute stay.

Support can be varied from emotional and practical support (for example; supportive counselling to manage changes in health, grief and loss, assistance to transition to home or alternative accommodation, assistance to access service provision, assistance with future planning and care, family violence, trauma, mental health, end of life care, support with discharge planning and concerns re: decision making capacity).
Referral to Social Work is not required- all clients will be seen on sub-acute ward.

Integrated Family Services

Integrated Family Services offers support and assistance for families with children under the age of eighteen. Integrated Family Services aims to work with the most vulnerable families of the community in a way that identifies and addresses their needs to build capacity in order to meet the care needs of the children. Family Support Services are funded by Department of Human Services and are free to eligible community members. The program offers:

  • Parenting skills tailored to meet the needs of individuals and their families.
  • Development of life skills including the development of such things as budgets, family routines, addressing self-esteem and problem solving skills.
  • Advocacy on behalf of clients.
  • Parenting programs

All professional referrals to be made via Loddon Mallee Child First Intake, phone 1800 260 338. Clients are able to self-referral via Loddon Mallee Child First Intake or contact Social Services directly 0354 855 800.

EMCP

Women booked into birth at Echuca Regional Health (ERH) who have significant social and / or medical issues are able to access support and management throughout their pregnancy via the Enhanced Maternity Care Program (EMCP).

EMCP allows for a collaborative approach to client’s antenatal care, admission and discharge, with care plan formulation during the antenatal period. The EMCP team includes a midwife and integrated family support worker and liaises with medical staff from the Enhanced Maternity Care Program medical antenatal clinic. The Enhanced Maternity Care program extends through the antenatal period, until 8 weeks post-natal.

Areas of support are not limited to medical and antenatal care but also include; detailed risk assessment, family violence, parenting and attachment, alcohol and drug concerns, anxiety and depression and child protection support.

There is no cost associated with this service however appointments are prioritised based on need. Referrals can be made by professionals or by the individual themselves via phone 03 54 855 800.

 


Departments and Services Medical Consulting Suites Wellbeing and Primary Mental Health