THE Director-General of ACT Health, Dr Peggy Brown has launched the Carers ACT acute mental health system guide.

“Navigating the Acute Mental Health System in Canberra – A Guide for Families and Carers” will assist carers of people with mental health issues to navigate acute mental health services.

“Many of the carers we currently support have, or will one day need to navigate the acute mental health system in the ACT. Our new Guide provides important information that was previously unavailable in one convenient, accessible location. It will be invaluable to carers during a particularly stressful time, because navigating the acute mental health system can be difficult,” said Carers ACT CEO Dee McGrath.

The Guide was developed in consultation with carers, after Carers ACT identified the need for this type of resource. ACT Health also gave Carers ACT permission to access relevant policies and procedures.

The Guide contains a map of acute mental health services, referral pathways, provides scenarios, tips and strategies, useful contacts and services.

It will give carers a better understanding of how the acute mental health system works. It is intended to give carers greater confidence in speaking up, asking the right questions, and being aware of their ‘rights’, as stated in ACT Government policies and procedures.