Outer West Mental Health Programs

Horizons & Outlooks Day Programs & Day to Day Living Service

Delivering high quality, responsive psychosocial rehabilitation & recovery mental health services to the Brimbank, Melton, Bacchus Marsh & Sunbury Communities

Our Day Programs

Aims

Outer West Mental Health Programs aim to provide quality psychosocial day and day to day living programs that:

• Enhance quality of life and independence
• Assist participants to meet self determined goals, including areas of social and living skill development
• Enhance participants development of more adaptive coping skills
• Facilitate participation in educational, recreational, personal & skill development programs
• Maximise social, family and peer support networks and community connectedness

 

Services

We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming service, building trusting & supportive relationships based upon a mutual respect and underpinned by the following principles:

• Voluntary engagement
• Respect for choice, diversity and individual lifestyle
• Integrated and coordinated services
• Empowerment and participation
• Interpersonal relationships & community connectedness
• Family and cultural sensitive practice

 

Carers Support

OWMHP facilitates a young carers support group and the Melton carers support group. In addition referrals to family support services and other carer networks are also available to family members of those affected by mental illness.

 

Services

Aim to provide people experiencing the effects of mental illness environments which are supportive and foster recovery by offering a variety of activities and programs which focus on social interaction, skill development, building self-belief and awareness whilst connecting people to the wider community.

Participants attend a variety of time-limited education, recreational and social groups, programs and activities of their choice.

Through the use of the individual support plans (ISP), we encourage individuals to set their own rehabilitation goals, access health and other relevant services in the community.

Examples of day program activities include:

• Living skills such as cooking and budgeting
• Art & Craft
• Leisure and fitness activities
• Personal development groups
• Women’s groups
• Men’s groups
• Cultural Specific Groups such as an African & Indo Chinese Group

 

Benefits

Psychosocial programs at Outer Western provide some of the following benefits:

• Improvement in confidence and self esteem
• Development of social networks
• Improved general health and fitness
• Development of living skills
• Opportunities to engage in study or return to work

 

 

Day to Day Living (D2DL) Program

Is a Federal Government initiative targeted for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness by providing socially based activities. The aim of the program is to improve health outcomes for people who experience social isolation, through the provision of structured and socially based activity programs thus assisting people to participate in social, recreational and educational activities in the community.

 

 

Consumer Participation

Consumer participation is highly valued, promoted and practised. We view consumer participation as a fundamental right, and understand that in order for participation to occur in a meaningful way, we need to actively support it through:
• Ensuring that all staff enthusiastically encourage all consumers to participate in a manner that is appropriate, relevant and meaningful for them
• Ensuring we have structures, policies and processes that enable consumers to participate in a number of different ways
• Involving consumers in decision-making processes including input into Individual Service Plans and developing activity Programs. Participant meetings and forums involving consumers in the evaluation of our programs and activities
• Running peer support and consumer facilitated activities

 

 

Eligibility & Referral

Outer Western Mental Health Programs work with people who:

• Are 16 and over
• Have a mental illness
• Live in Brimbank, Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury communities
• Have a willingness to participate in the program

 

Referral

Any organisation, individual or family can make referrals. Referral forms can be obtained by ringing support workers at Horizons or Outlooks Day Programs.

 

Hours of Operation

Office hours are from 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday

 

Horizons

Phone: 9364 1455

 

Outlooks

Phone: 9747 6337

Referral to family support services and carer networks is also available to family members of those affected by mental illness.

Fees

No fees are charged for our support services, however participants in groups are asked to contribute to some activities on a weekly basis.

 

 

OUTLOOKS SITE

48 Unitt St, Melton 3337
PO Box 59 St Albans 3021
Phone: 03 9747 6337
(click here for map)

 

 

HORIZONS SITE

2 Erica St, St. Albans 3021
PO Box 59 St Albans 3021
Phone: 03 9364 1455
(click here for map)

 

 

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