As part of Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group’s campaign “ We care about your mental health” , we wanted to make sure our community knew that help is available 24/7.
If you , or someone you know is experiencing high levels of mental distress or feeling suicidal you can go to your local hospital Emergency Department (ED).
Each ED across the District has state-of-the art video conferencing equipment to enable timely access to specialist mental health assessment and advice for consumers with mental health problems.
The Emergency Department staff will then help you to access the Mental Health Emergency Consultation Service, also known as MHECS.
If a life is in danger, please dial 000 straight away.
You can also Call Accessline on 1800 011 944 for support 24 hours a day.
What is MHECS?
The Mental Health Emergency Consultation Service – known as MHECS for short – is a 24 hour a day and 7 day a week service.
Their role is to provide specialist mental health support in all of the emergency departments across Murrumbidgee to people who are experiencing high levels of mental distress or who are experiencing feelings of suicide.
Once the staff in the Emergency Department have spoken to you and agree that you need the MHECS service, one of the MHECS clinicians will speak to you to work out what the next steps are so that you can receive the best support and treatment.
Depending on the time of day, this might be a face-to-face consultation, or a telehealth consultation with a mental health clinician.
This interview is conducted in a special room set up to provide a confidential space where you can feel safe and supported.
How will our MHECS team help you?
Mental Health Emergency Consultation Service will:
· Carry out a comprehensive Mental Health Assessment to help us plan the next steps
· Be sensitive to your current and past experiences and help to keep you safe and supported
· Help you to work towards the best mental health outcome for you- you are part of this process and decision making, and people are encouraged to ask questions if unsure of what might be happening.
· Consult where needed with psychiatrists, with community mental health teams, with other experts, and with any family members that you may want involved
· Put together a “Discharge Plan” for when you leave the Emergency Department for follow up by the relevant service provider
· Make referrals to the community mental health teams or the primary health network providers or GPs
· If needed might refer you to hospital-based services if needed. This might mean being transferred to Wagga.
There is help for anyone who is feeling distressed or suicidal, here in Deni, no matter what time of day and night.
Be sure to visit the www.denimentalhealth.org.au website for all local resources.
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