Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMs)

What is the Personal Helpers and Mentors Program?

The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program supports people aged 16 years and over whose ability to manage daily activities and to live independently in the community is seriously impacted as a result of a severe mental illness. It is a key part of the Council of Australian Government’s National Plan on Mental Health.

The program focuses on strengths, what people with mental health issues can do, and on recovery – demonstrating that people with mental illness can lead a fulfilled life in the community with the same opportunities as other people. Participants of the program work with their own Personal Helper and Mentor who will support them on their recovery journey.

What do Personal Helpers and Mentors do?

We can support you in many different ways, including:

• Working with you to learn how to better manage everyday tasks such as housekeeping, managing finances and using public transport
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• Helping you get relationships with family and friends back on track
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• Accessing appropriate clinical support
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• Advising you on some parenting difficulties you may be having
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• Working with you to get you involved in a community activity that you would really like to do
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• Connecting you with other services or programs that could also support you on your recovery journey, like drug and alcohol, housing or medical support

Are You Eligible?

If you are 16 years or over you may be eligible for our program. You do not need to have medical diagnosis of a mental illness to initially join the program. If you join, your Personal Helper and Mentor will help you to get the medical and other health support that you need.

What do you have to do?

Contact us. You will be asked some questions to see whether you are eligible for the program. You can bring along a family member, carer or friend if you choose. Alternatively, with your consent, you can be referred by another service and you may have a person from that service assist you with your initial contact with PHaMs.

There is a simple referral form for this purpose, which can be downloaded here:

Download referral form in .doc format

Download referral form in .pdf format

RESOURCES:

Woden Community Service Inc. is responsible for the delivery of the PHaMs Program for the South Canberra region. To be eligible applicants must reside in one of the following post codes: 2600 (south), 2605 to 2607, 2611, 2900, or 2902 to 2906.

Phone: (02) 6234 6816. Fax: (02) 6285 1322. Email: phamsadmin@wcs.org.au

The Mental Health Foundation is responsible for the delivery of the PHaMs Program for the Canberra City region. To be eligible for this program, applicants must reside in one of the following post codes: 2600 (north), 2601 to 2604, 2609, 2612 or 2620.

Phone: (02) 6162 3451 Fax: (02) 6162 3450

Richmond Fellowship ACT is responsible for the delivery of the PHaMs Program for the Belconnen/Gungahlin region, as well as Queanbeyan/Yass and the Southern Tablelands – Crookwell/Goulburn.

Ph: (02) 6249 7912

The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has a website with detailed information on the program and other mental health initiatives it is providing nationally, click here.