Newsletter december 2014

Issue 7

Issue 07

April—June

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation ICN 7460 Lot 8 Umoona Road Po Box 166

Visiting

Coober Pedy SA 5723 Ph.: 08 8672 5255 Fax:08 8672 3349

Specialists

www.uths.com.au

Dates: DOCTORS: 

Dr. Judy McDonald

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Dr.Jodie Whillas

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Dr.Helen Sage

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Dr. Ne Nevvill ille e Ca Carli rlie rlier

Diabetes Education Program P.2 Staff Training P.3

SPECIALISTS:

Depression P.4

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Dentist

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Ps Psyych chiiatri trisst

Art Gallery P.6

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Physician

The Opal Festival P.7

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Podiatrist

National Sorry Day P.8

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Deitician

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Ph Phyysiotherapist Please check the schedule

Doctors & Specialists Visits P.10 Grief & Loss P.12 Kangaroo Stew Day P.13

for

Breakfast at DAS P.14

more information

The Music Group P.18 Babies Corner P.19

DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM PROGRAM

AIM

ACTION

TIME

Diabetes education

To prevent diabetes complications, reduce BP, and HbA1c by 10 to 15% per month

Education regarding the importance of screening diet and exercises as well as medication management

Thursday the 15th of May 10am-3pm

PROGRAM SUMMARY The aim of this program was to prevent diabetes complications by reducing BP and HbA1cs by at least 10 to 15% per month. A BBQ was done as an incentive to encourage clients to come in for the education.

Clients were educated on the importance of having dental, eye and foot checks, HbA1c, and ACR checks.

Education about a better understanding of diabetes and how to prevent complications was done. Brochures were handed out to clients regarding the explanation of diabetes; how and why to prevent its complications such as eye problems, kidney, heart and foot problems. Client’s BP, BSL, weight and waist measurements were taken with education.

Pre-diabetic clients were identified at the program and follow ups were done. Continuous follow ups will be done to ensure that these clients are ok. Arrangements will be done for necessary GP reviews. At the moment our Average HbA1c is 8.4% and we are hoping this program can help bring it down to 7% by August.

All staff Training week Fire Safety Training

CPR

First Aid

Manual Handling

UTHSAC

Dieana Riessen

Delesh Perera

Misho Miller

Depression is more than just feeling down –it can be a serious illness.

We often may feel down for lots of reasons:   

Footy team lost Argument with friend The neighbour is noisy and you can’t sleep

That’s normal to be down a bit.

But when that low mood goes for a long while and you can’t shake it this may mean depression. Many things contribute to depression:      

Like a family history of depression Your personality A medical condition like thyroid problems Some medicines Bereavement Male or female hormones way back to feeling good or male or female hormones

If you have 5 or more of the following symptoms you could be struggling with Depression For the last 2 weeks: Felt sad, down and miserable most of the time; Lost interest in pleasure\Lost or gained weight ; Sleep disturbance; Feel tired and listless; Feel worthless; Poor concentration; Recurrent thoughts of death or Feel slowed down or restless.

If you 5 or more of these symptoms it is likely you have a depressive illness.

What to do The best thing to do then is: Talk to your local doctor, or call Rural and Remote Mental health services 131465, or talk to UTHSAC Social worker or SEWB coordinator 86723466, talk to an Aboriginal Health Professional; other services include Health SA and Medicare locals or call Men’s Line on 1300789978 or Lifeline on 131114.

Other self-help aspects include:         

Exercise Contact Beyond Blue on 1300224636 Reducing alcohol Learning to say ‘No’ to requests Setting priorities Learn to relax with muscle relaxation and massage Going out bush and enjoying the scenery and life As well as keeping an activities log to cope with life Many people find talking to a friend, going out bush and family times useful too

There are specialised treatments which involve assessment, antidepressant medication and talking to a counsellor that can also help

Mental health services 131465 UTHSAC Social worker or SEWB coordinator 86723466 Men’s Line 1300789978 Lifeline

131114

Commemoration of stolen generation on National Sorry Day The national Sorry Day was celebrated on 26th of May 2014 at the Coober Pedy rotunda. This event was coordinated by Aboriginal Family Support Services, Umoona Tjutagku Health Service, Housing SA and Families SA. There were 63 people attending the event, including school students. The National Sorry Day celebration started with a welcome to country speech from Mr. Ian Crombie in order to commemorate the sorry business. The attendees and the students placed their hands on white cloth to signify the special day. Lunch was provided to the participants and the ceremony was completed with a release of multi coloured balloons into the sky.

Our staff cooked the barbecue with our mobile BBQ and then mixed within the crowd to explain the importance of Sorry Day as a time to remember those who suffered under the Stolen Generation policies and also to educate people on the trauma, effects and results of the policies. Ms Susie Crisa read some educational material which further educated students and teachers about the event and Stolen Generation. A one minutes silence was held to commemorate those effected.

This was a fitting event for Umoona Health to contribute with, because at present we are heading up a Healing Foundation project which helps members of the Stolen Generation grieve whilst also informing and educating students from Coober Pedy Area School of the effects of the trauma of the policies.

Beginning on 2nd May 2014 with a combined event of Students and Stolen Generation people and family, Suhara Perera SEWB Coordinator of Umoona Health , Donna Bailes ( Aboriginal health professional) and George Laslett Drug and Alcohol Counsellor have worked with the school to develop weekly Yarning Circles. During these times alternatively Stolen Generation members share their stories and the following week they meet with the students to mentor and teach them what happened. In this way we believe these atrocities will not occur again’ says Suhara Perera.

5 Yarning circles have occurred and soon the Stolen Generation members and students will go to Oodnadatta to visit the site of Colebrook Home, the plaque of remembrance and visit the Railway Museum while local Stolen Generation people tell their stories of resilience and ways that helped them cope.

Later an art therapist will address the group and members of Linkup will join us to talk of the resource that is available through Nunkawarrin Yunti to link people who were relocated.

It is a journey of healing and the students have been researching and entering into the experience with maturity.

If anyone is seeking linkage with past family please contact Suhara Perera or Donna Bailes on 86723466 or sperera@uths.com.au to access Linkup.

November 2014 Mon

Tue

3

Wed

4

10

Thu

5

Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologist

24 GP

25 GP

Dentist

2

9

13

14

15

16

19 GP Psychiatric

20 GP

21 GP

22

23

26 GP

27 GP

28 Dentist

29

30

Clinic

Psychiatric

1

8

Clinic

Psychiatric

Sun

7

12Veterinary Respiratory

18 GP

Sat

6

11 Veterinary Respiratory

17 GP

Fri

Dentist

Dentist

Dentist

December 2014 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

16 GP

17 GP

18 GP

19

20

21

22 Close

23 Close

24 Close

25 Close

26 Close

27

28

29 Close

30 Close

31 Close

1 Close

15

GP

2 Close

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Grief is a reaction we have to common losses in our lives.

It can include the loss of a loved one, the death of a pet, ending of a relationship, loss of role or health or even moving house.

Grief has stages and they usually range through shock, pain of grief, a sense of loss, anger, guilt, regrets, anxiety and fearfulness, intrusive images, disorganisation and forgetfulness, overwhelmed, to relief, loneliness, reorganisation and positive feelings.

Women and men grieve differently with women, they are often good at seeking out support and supporting each other and by talking through their pain. Men cope by seeking out one or two mates and doing things together like fishing an activities and in so doing work through their loses.

Practical strategies that can help include: Getting some time each day to reflect on the loss; Writing down your thoughts; Spending time with supportive people; Having a good cry; Avoiding making big decisions; Taking life one day at a time; Talk about the person who has died with others if they are comfortable with that; Find a good listener; Talk to a grief Counsellor; Doing practical things like writing a eulogy or visiting the grave; and commemorate person on Birthdays and special occasions.

Umoona Tjutagku Health Services Mrs.Suhara Perera, Coordinator of Social Emotional Wellbeing and Mr.George Laslett Counsellor both on 86723466

The Women’s Art Group and also Kangaroo Stew Day are fantastic with everyone getting involved in a great time together; clients have enjoyed the new skills.

Feedback included’ a client said it improved my health in developing a healthy eating pattern and positive body image; whilst developing cultural ways of cooking.

In the cooking they did it with healthy diet recipes , handouts and Kangaroo stew. A client stated ‘this has helped me to cook more healthy food;’ Well done team.

Kangaroo Stew

DAS is looking to trial cooking at the new Activity Centre and now cold breakfasts and toast have invited clients to venture into DAS and the breakfast and day Centre programmes.

Great way to start the day Local Barista

Enjoying Breakfast

Education Session

d o o G

g n i n r o m

Eat good

Feel good

Do good

On Tuesday we have developed Bush trips as a diversion approach to Drugs and alcohol. An average of 6 men and 2 -3 staff attend these bush trips and harm minimisation messages and alcohol prevention approaches are taken. The trips have been a great success with clients taking the lead, giving suggestions and ways to improve existing services. Malu wibu and chops on the fire and in-depth conversations about alcohol and its effects on body, soul, spirit and family are developed.

Laura Larkins

Josie Warrier

Dilshan Perera

Ingrid Lopez

Michael Fernando

Jose Kuriakose

Janine Labois

Lilian Fatt

Adela Paz

Kaylene O’Toole

Come & Join with Us

The Music Group has exploded with 4-5 guitarists belting out Led Zeppelin and Covers. Now a steady group of 20 people have come to watch and it’s been great to share with them drug and alcohol messages and strategies to handle these drugs safely.

Welcome Kiara Senori Congratulations to Mariena & Shan.

Welcome

Freya Maria Congratulations to Jincy & Raymon.

Reception

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Po Box 166 ,Coober Pedy SA 5723 Ph:0886725255 Fax: 86725664

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