I P R A
Independent Patient Rights Advisers

The Mental Health Act 2016 establishes the positions of Independent Patient Rights Advisers.  A key function of these positions is to advise patients and their nominated support persons, family, carers and other support persons of their rights under the Act.  The positions play a very important role in liaising between clinical teams, patients and support persons.
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Contact - Sunshine Coast:  07 5470 5546

Click on "More information" for a pdf flyer about IPRA.  A web search will also provide access to further information. 
Nominated
support
​​person
Benefits of having a nominated support person

If you become an involuntary patient under The Mental Health Act 2016 your nominated support person can assist you by:
  • receiving all notices that are required to be given to you under the Act
  • discussing confidential information about your treatment and care with your treating team
  • supporting you, or representing you, at hearings of the Mental Health Review Tribunal
  • requesting a psychiatrist report if you were to be charged with a serious offence.
You may appoint one or two nominated support persons.

For an appointment of a nominated support person to be effective, you must understand the decision you are making at the time, and be able to communicate that decision.  Under the Mental Health Act 2016 persons are presumed to understand the making of such decisions.

Guide and form can be obtained by clicking on the link below or searching on the web.
Advance
health
directive for
​mental health
Benefits of an Advance health directive

Benefits of an Advance health directive is that it gives you a greater say in your future healthcare, such as healthcare you would like to receive for a mental illness.

An Advance health directive applies at a future time if you become unwell and are unable to make decisions about your healthcare.  This means you do not have 'capacity' to make decisions.

If you have capacity to make decisions about your healthcare you are capable of:
  • understanding the nature and effect of your decisions
  • freely and voluntarily making decisions
  • communicating your decisions
If you do not have capacity to make decisions for yourself at a future time, a health practitioner may provide you with healthcare you have agreed to in your advance health directive.  The advance health directive acts as a record of your consent to receive particular healthcare.

You may also state any healthcare you do not wish to receive in your advance health directive.

Guide and form can be obtained by clicking on the link below or searching on the web.
Mental health care plan

A mental health care plan is a plan for people with a mental health disorder.  If you have mental health issues, your doctor can write out this plan.

If you have a mental health care plan you will be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group appointments with some allied mental health services in a year.  This may include psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.

If you have a plan under NDIS you may not need a mental health care plan as your NDIS package may include these services.

Click on the link for more information.
University of Sunshine Coast Psychology Clinic - Mind & Neuroscience Thompson Institute

The Psychology Clinic provides mental health services to the community and also functions as an advanced teaching, training and research facility for postgraduate students (Provisional Psychologists) in the Master of Psychology (Clinical) and Master of Professional Psychology programs at USC.

All clinical work undertaken by Provisional Psychologists in the Psychology Clinic is supervised by experienced Clinical Psychologists.

All services of the Psychology Clinic are offered free of charge.  There is a waiting list but the Clinic aims to keep them to a minimum and clients are given an appointment as quickly as possible.   An Intake Officer will discuss your needs with the Clinic Director and a decision will be made.  If the Psychology Clinic is not the most suitable service for you, other services will be suggested wherever possible.

To find out more and how to make an appointment click on the link below.
Head to Health - Website

In addition to containing information about mental health conditions, this website also provides information about the importance of physical health, connectedness and purposeful activities such as hobbies, learning & education, volunteering and working.
endED Butterfly
House
EATING DISORDERS SUPPORT NETWORK

EndED provides tools and support for those whose lives have been affected by Eating Disorders

EndEd hosts fortnightly family/carer and recovery focussed support groups led by people with lived experience.
Whether it's a place to celebrate successes, air concerns, share frustrations or ask for help, endED's goal is to provide
safe haven for expression and support of ED sufferers, family and carers in a private non-judgmental space. 
endED Butterfly House will be Australia's first live-in eating disorder residential facility.

It is truly a community project that has brought the Sunshine Coast together.  It is built on local philanthropic support, on the support of the Federal Government, of Sunshine Coast Council and of all the wonderful local companies that are listed on endED's website.
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When complete it will finally bring hope to other families just like Mark and Gay's (endEd founders) and Butterfly founder Claire Middleton's; families who today are crying out for the right environment and the right treatment for their loved ones in pain.
If you need help get in touch with endED
Phone:  0407 592 932    Online:  info@ended.org.au     Mail:  228 Old Gympie Road, Mooloolah Valley  Qld  4553
PLEASE NOTE:  This Resources page is a new venture for us as at November 2019.  We intend to continually add resources over the coming months such as information on Treatment Authority (also known as Involuntary Treatment Orders), Tribunals, Enduring Power of Attorney and much more.
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