AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
Discussion Topic:
Residential Mental Health Facilities
| I am writing on behalf of the Barnardos Transition Program
in the ACT. The Transition Program provides housing and support to young homeless people
in the ACT. At the moment we are endeavouring to provide support to a sixteen-year-old
girl who has been diagnosed with border line personality disorder. Over the past two years
she has built up a constant record of criminal offending, including a string of assaults
and threats to kill and severe self harm. Many options have been tried but she continues
to suffer. As I write she is in remand in a juvenile detention centre in the ACT. Could you please tell me if there are any residential mental health facilities for young people any where in Australia. I would also like to know whether there are any secure mental health facilities or detention centres that run or provide extensive programs to assist young people with extreme emotional and/or mental health issues. Thank you in anticipation |
| Submitted: Tues 11th December 2001 |
| Mr Marriott have you contemplated a referral to the ACT Management Assessment Panel- check with Brett Goyne 62070707? Declaration of interest- I chair the MAP. check details at the OCC web=site Marie Coleman tel (02)62486937 mobile 041 4483067 PO Box 236 MITCHELL ACT 2911 please note no fax |
| Submitted: Wed 12th December 2001 |
| who has the young lady been diagnosed by and when? Have you had any contact with Redbank House in Sydney? TINA BRINCAT [tbrincat@vtown.com.au] |
| Submitted: Wed 12th December 2001 |
| Dear Michael As a primary care practitioner working in the field.. I have no great or positive suggestions, Over the years I have worked with a number of such lasses, and wished desperately that there was a secure, caring and therapeutic environment available. I know of none in Sydney region.. but would be grateful to hear if you hear of any. Bronwyn Gould |
| Submitted: Wed 12th December 2001 |
| Hi there Michael They offer some great treatment advise and training on how to work with people
diagnosed with a boarderline Personality disorder. Another referrence you may find handy
is Marshia Linenhans treatment book on "Dialectical Behavioural Therapy / managing
personality dosorders". Good luck with this extremely challenging young person Cheers
Craig Maloney Mr Craig Maloney |
| Submitted: Wed 12th December 2001 |
| dear Michael, i doubt that you will find such a service. Your young person needs a very good therapist experienced in working with BPD; this diagnosis is often associated with childhood neglect and abuse (especially sexual), rejection, lack of positive parenting etc. Detention centers and locked psychiatric units are toxic environments to these young people and coercion is ineffective; long term accomodation is always an issue as the young people often display antisocial behaviour and they get thrown out. They are frustrating, exhausting and bring the worst out of us (health professionals) but good intervention can bring along wonderful success. The problem is that good therapists cost a lot of money (they tend to be clinical psychologist, if they are psychiatrists they don't bulk bill or have a lengthy waiting period (your young person has left the state or is in detention by the time her turn comes) Charmian Clift (Leichhardt NSW) is an accomodation program for women who have suffered childhood sexual abuse (most of their client have BPD). They are excellent, the young person has to be in therapy in remain there (they help access to a therapist), the accomodation is first class (2-3 women per house). It is classified as a refuge therefore the phone number is not listed, if you want it email me directly Anne-Lyse De Guio Clinical Nurse Consultant Consultation Liaison Psychiatry St George Hospital 02 9350 2488/02 93502432 fax 02 9350 2619 Email deguioa@sesahs.nsw.gov.au |
| Submitted: Wed 12th December 2001 |
| Hi, Can I add to this question. I am working with C &FS who are trying to care for a 12 yo girl with complex PTSD and ? DID. The carers are untrained and she is able to break them down fairly easily. If there is a mainland residential treatment facility C &FS would like to explore transferring her care. Alistair Campbell |
| Submitted: Wed 12th December 2001 |
| Dear all, I have been following the discussion about providing accommodation/ a residential treatment for this young woman. I feel very upset that Anne-Lyse has stated that "locked psychiatric unit are toxic". I believe that with the right staff who care, units benefit young people. I have been involved in designing and commissioning a new unit at Campbelltown (Sydney) that has a real sense of ownership for young people, as they were very heavily involved in the design phase and colour choices. The comments back from all who have been in see the unit are positive with no toxic feel about it! I would like to make one point we should not be looking at long term residential care for these young people but re-integration back into the community. Or do you want young people starting a life long career as a mental health patient with nothing to look forward to? Unit such as the one I manage are set up for acute and severe mental health episodes working very closely with community support and integrating services, so that young people get the benefits of health care across the system and do not fall through the gaps. This follows the national mental standards and strategic plans for young people in NSW. Jem Masters |
| Submitted: Fri 14th December 2001 |
| Kurinda Adolescent Service is a medium - long term residential service for adolescents [14+] from NSW who have a mental illness. It aims to support their recovery and independence.There are no current vacancies. It is located in the western suburbs of Sydney. [ph 02 9831 5830] kurinda@uunet.com.au |
| Submitted: Fri 14th December 2001 |
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