Goulburn Valley mental health professionals gather for the relaunch. Image by Jack O’Sullivan.
Mental health professionals converged on Shepparton last week to relaunch a network that will see them work, learn and care together.
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It’s been four years since the Goulburn Valley Mental Health Professionals Network has been active.
Mental health social worker and Serenity Counselling and Consulting Services founder Smitha Francis initiated the relaunch, convened the first meeting and led a presentation to the group on eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy, which piqued curiosity and inspired conversation among attendees.
“The network aims to improve multidisciplinary mental health practice and collaborative care within our region,” Ms Francis said.
Smitha Vincent shares how the brain reprocesses through eye movement desensitisation reprocessing, a psychotherapy technique that helps people process distressing memories and emotions related to traumatic experiences. Image by Jack O’Sullivan.
The group of Goulburn Valley mental health professionals, including counsellors, social workers, practitioners and a general practitioner, met at the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health on September 17.
The former co-ordinator of GV MHPN for more than 15 years, Charlotte Brewer, welcomed the relaunch.
“It’s a fantastic way for professionals and GPs to get to know one another, share our skills and knowledge, and strengthen referral pathways, which ultimately benefits our community by ensuring timely support,” she said.
The GV MHPN is part of a Federal Government-supported initiative that connects local health professionals in more than 375 networks across Australia.
Its aim is that by meeting regularly, professionals can learn from one another, build relationships and develop integrated approaches to care.
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