UTHSAC Newsletter - December 2020

DECEMBER 2020

ISSUE 30

NEWSLETTER Umoona Health Service will be closing for

UMOONA TJUTAGKU WANGKA

Christmas Break from 21st DEC 2020 to 05th JAN 2021 (inclusive).

Clients who are currently on Webster packs will be given enough packs to last them throughout the Christmas break.

In case of an emergency Pharmacy will also be available.

We kindly advice our clients who may need the health services during Christmas break to present themselves at Coober Pedy Hospital [08 8672 5009] Until Clinic opens on the 6th January 2021.

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Reflections

Men’s Music

Gym

for the past year

Program

Program

UMOONA TJUTAGKU HEALTH SERVICE ABORIGINAL CORPORATION A: PO Box 166, Lot 08 Umoona Road Coober Pedy SA P: (08) 8672 5255 W: www.uths.com.au

F: (08) 8672 3349

Medical: reception@uths.com.au

Admin: umoona@uths.com.au

It’s hard to believe the Christmas season is already upon us, and most are preparing for a well-deserved rest with family and friends.

CEO Christmas greetings

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On a corporate level, the summer holiday is usually the time when we

Clinic/Healthy for Life Reflections for the past year

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finalise outstanding duties and prepare to get ready to start

Kids Basketball

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Men’s Music Program

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Let’s prepare for next year with positivity and glee. As we

Mental Health week

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take a break from all the hard efforts with friends and family.

Clinic Calendar 2021

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The work my staff have done is rated superbly. Which is

implementing fresh initiatives for the New Year.

why I want to thank all my staff so deeply and to

Grief and loss

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Gym Program

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our goals. Next year Umoona Tjutagku Health

Mental Health Wellbeing Tips

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Service will continue to work with the community

Men’s Bush Trip

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Soccer Program

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After Hours Mental Health Team Poster

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Health this year in working together collaboratively in

UTHSAC Vision, Mission & Diversity Statement

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supporting the lives of our mob.

Christmas Break

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those agencies that made it possible to achieve

through their journey in improving their health through many exciting programs next year. Thank you to all agencies that have positively supported Umoona Tjutagku

Please stay safe over the Christmas break and we will see you all in the new exciting year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year to All!

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Priscilla Larkins Chief Executive Officer

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DIVERSITY STATEMENT Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (UTHSAC) will strive to: Inform, educate, perform, model and lead to ensure diversity is reflected throughout UTHSAC. Create & sustain an environment that actively embraces diversity and inclusion by recognising value in the uniqueness of all individuals Hold all people associated to UTHSAC accountable for their actions and decisions impacting the achievements of UTHSAC Diversity mission statement.

Utilise the success in diversity to assist UTHSAC becoming a provider and the employer of choice as we lead our community to improve health

0437 628 933 After Hours Mental Health General Support Line 1300 364 277

We respect all our Community and all who walk through our doors and expect the same in return from Community Members and Clients

VISION STATEMENT Innovative, responsive and culturally appropriate health services are accessible to Aboriginal people living in the Coober Pedy and surrounding region.

If it is an Emergency Please Call 000 MISSION STATEMENT To provide a holistic health care service that achieves positive health outcomes through primary health care intervention as well as safer communities through prevention and education.

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condition, pregnant women, as well as those who have compromised immunity because of chemotherapy or radiation.

The past year has been unusual when compared to years gone by. The COVID 19 outbreak has created chaos and loss in many parts of the world including four deaths in South Australia. We have been blessed in Coober Pedy because we have not felt its full ramifications. The main problem for us has been the reduction in face to face encounter numbers because of the change in the number people allowed into the clinic at any one time.

We have had to rethink how we could continue to provide the best

Our goal is to have a community that remains as healthy as possible, even if they have chronic conditions, they are medically well-managed and stable. This is one of the most important ways to be prepared if COVID 19 visits our region.

The health service has prepared as best as it can and is fully cooperating with SA Health and AHCSA with case scenario plans that we pray would not be needed.

primary health care under

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation has proven to be strong and resilient.

different circumstances;

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lockdown restrictions, COVID normal, under restrictions and then almost back under COVID normal. The virus has been

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unpredictable in that not everyone who catches it will have severe symptoms. Some people have very mild symptoms, and some people could even be asymptomatic. We are trying to encourage anyone in the community with cold or flu-like symptoms or loss of smell or taste to please be tested. This is the only way that we can help find any hidden clusters of COVID 19. Hidden COVID carriers with little or mild symptoms could infect vulnerable people in the community with very dire consequences.

Our Aboriginal community members are at high risk of severe symptoms 04

or even death particularly those 50 years old and over with a chronic

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We have valuable and flexible staff who are able to respond quickly to government guidelines.

We have management who liaise with SA Health and our peak body AHCSA to let staff know the latest news constantly.

Our staff ( both AHWs and Nurses) are willing to think and adapt the way that things are done, such as increase in Telemedicine for specialists, GPs and Allied health practitioners, more outreach visits into the community and focusing on recalls in order to priorities Aboriginal Health Checks as well as Care plans for clients who need them.

Majority of the community members have coped well with the new changes but still long for the days when face to face consultations will fully come back.

May the New Year bring us new hope for a better year, new Aboriginal Health Practitioners in Glenys Dodd and Robert Hele, a better understanding of what is important and an appreciation for what we already have.

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The youth programme is a government initiative for Social Inclusion targeting community groups of newly arrived migrants and refugees, women, people with a physical or mental disability, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to engage in sport and physical activities.

The main goal of the program is to help improve people’s health and wellbeing, and foster a strong sense of community belonging and pride Sport and shared physical activities. This program supports people who are less likely to take part in regular sport and physical activity. It will help build resilient, cohesive and harmonious communities.

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“Every

One Every Community”

Men’s bush trip to the Mable creek was held in October 2020. Male staff and Male clients participate on this event. It was great opportunity for UTHS new staff and other participants to get to know each other’s and to talk about aboriginal culture and discussed about the importance of peaceful household for internal health.

Your wellbeing is important. How you maintain it?         

Love yourself Eat healthy food Do regular exercises Reduce alcohol consumption Get enough sleep at night Keep yourself safe Manage your stress Maintain good relationships Seek support from professionals (Counsellors, GPs, Nurse)

Wellbeing of the community is also important. How you can contribute for it?      

Check in your family members, relatives, and mates Share a cuppa and have a yarn Listen and respect to others Be alert on what’s happing in the community Help to each other Engage with DAS activities and programmes

How you are supported through the services    

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Staff are here to listen to your worries and support you GP visits to our clinic Our Mental Health team is happy to have a yarn with you Online services Mental Health Triage 131465 Suicide call back Service 1300 659 467 Beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Lifeline 13 11 14 UTHS Mental Health Team 0437268933 19

The UTHS Music Program has an integral part in transmission of the human experience throughout the community. We have devised extensive pedagogical methods to promote the preservation of Musical traditions within the cultural system .This is a rewarding and a challenging program for the local community and it’s a vibrant and widespread phenomenon enriching the life of people. UTHS music program provides community with viable options in improving leisure time activities and promoting cultural development.

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The UTHS Gym program is designed to help clients get fit and become healthier. Clients are also educated on healthy eating and nutrition during and after these programs as healthy living is mostly healthy dieting than training. The program is conducted on every Tuesday and Friday for men.

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Mental health and physical health awareness

sessions and Self-help measures were delivered during this week, to help identify the crisis and to intervene early to be a resilient community.

Our week long programmes were kicked off with the Coober Pedy community event and barbeque lunch at Rotunda on 12th of Oct 2020. Then the Women’s Yarning Circle

at DAS activity room on 13/10/2020 was organised by SEWB team and AOD SWs. Then the Men’s programmes including Men’s bush trip to Mable creek on Drug and alcohol day services of Umoona Tjutagku Health Services Aboriginal Corporation, have hosted this year’s community event in Coober Pedy in alliance with Mental Health Coalition SA and SA Health. The theme of the mental health week 2020 was ‘Every Person, every community’. The main aim of these event was to evoke awareness and to encourage help seeking behaviours and to alleviate social stigma

towards mental health

needs. The community participation from all walks of life made this event very successful.

Week long programmes and events were

14/10/2020 and Men’s Music Jamming which was held at DAS activities room on 15/10/2020 along with Aboriginal health workers , After hours mental health team ,DAS Youth worker and other drug and alcohol diversion group participants.

An art competition and basketball evening were focused on youth and children. The school well-being coordinator and Aboriginal family support service (AFSS) youth support workers have played a remarkable role along with DAS social workers, to encourage young kids to join with the competitions and programmes. It was amazing to see how our young people portrayed their concepts on mental health and what makes them socially and emotionally strong. The winners of Youth art were announced on 16/10/2020 with a public display of their art work at DAS activity room and are awarded with exciting prizes.

conducted between 12th and 17th of Oct 2020, mainly through our Drug and alcohol day centre. The activities made this occasion more accessible which included; Children’s Arts competition, Men’s music jam, Men’s Bush trip, Youth Basketball and Women’s Yarning Circle. The event reached to almost all parts of society in one or another way only because of the team work. All the meetings and gatherings were compliant with COVID19 precautions.

The public event was very inclusive and successful with the participation of more 10

than 30 people from various service providers and general population.

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Take care of yourself as you grieve    

Grief is a natural reaction to loss. It is the emotional pain that you experience when taken away something or someone you love. Sometimes the pain of loss can feel unbearable. You can feel all sorts of hard and unpredictable emotions, from shock or indignation to disbelief, remorse, and deep sadness. Pain and grief can also disrupt your physical wellbeing, making it hard to sleep, think or even think straight.

Grief is usually described in 5 stages:  Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”  Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”  Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”  Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”  Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what happened

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Complicated grief The pain of losing someone you love never goes entirely, but it is not meant to be the centre stage. If the pain of loss is so intense and serious that prevents you from resuming your life, you may suffer from a disorder known as complicated grief. Complicated grief is like being trapped in a state of deep sorrow. You may having difficulty accepting the death after it has happened, or you may be so worried about the individual who died that disrupts your everyday routine and undermines your life.

Symptoms of complicated grief include:   

Emotional symptoms of grief  Shock and disbelief  Sadness  Guilt  Anger  Fear Physical symptoms of grief      

Fatigue Nausea Lowered immunity Weight loss or weight gain Aches and pains Insomnia

Seek support for grief and loss     

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Turn to friends and family members Accept that many people feel awkward when trying to comfort someone who’s grieving Draw comfort from your faith Join a support group Talk to a therapist or grief counsellor

Face your feelings Express your feelings in a tangible or creative way Try to maintain your hobbies and interests Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and don’t tell yourself how to feel either Plan ahead for grief “triggers” Look after your physical health

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Intense longing and yearning for your deceased loved one Intrusive thoughts or images of your loved one Denial of the death or sense of disbelief Imagining that your loved one is alive Searching for your deceased loved one in familiar places Avoiding things that remind you of your loved one Extreme anger or bitterness over your loss Feeling that life is empty or meaningless

When to seek professional help for grief If experiencing symptoms of complicated grief and clinical depression, talk to a mental health professional right away. Left untreated, complicated grief and depression can lead to significant emotional damage, life-threatening health problems, and even suicide. But treatment can help you get better.

Contact a grief counsellor or professional therapist if you:  Feel like life isn’t worth living 

Wish you had died with your loved one

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Blame yourself for the loss or for failing to prevent it

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Feel numb and disconnected from others for more than a few weeks

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Are having difficulty trusting others since your loss

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Are unable to perform your normal daily activities People in our community can contact Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Drug and Alcohol Service at 08 8672 5255. UTHS provide service with culturally sensitive approach.

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UPCOMING DOCTORS & SPECIALIST march 2021

January 2021 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

1Christmas 2

1 GP

break 3

10

4 Christmas 5 Christmas 6 Respira-

7 Respira-

8 Respira-

break

break

tory Nurse

tory Nurse

tory Nurse

11 GP

12 GP

13 GP

14 GP

15 GP

9

7

18 GP

19 GP

20 GP

21 GP

22 GP

16

14

23

21

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 24

25 NO

26 Clinic

Doctor

Closed

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29

1 GP

TUE 2 GP

WED 3 GP

THU 4 GP

FRI 5 GP

SAT 6

14

8 GP &

9 GP &

10 GP &

11

12

DENTIST

DENTIST

DENTIST

DENTIST

DENTIST

15 GP

16 GP

17 GP

18 NO

19 NO

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM Doctor

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22 NO

23 NO

Doctor

Doctor

4 GP

FRI 5 GP

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM

8 Clinic

SAT 6

9

10

11

12

13

15 GP &

16 GP &

17 GP &

18 GP &

19

20

DENTIST

DENTIST

DENTIST

DENTIST

DENTIST

22 GP

23 GP

24 GP

25 GP

26 GP

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9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM

29 ENT

30 ENT

All the consultations are done by appointments, it can be made by contacting our reception on 08 8672 5255

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM

7

3 GP

THU

30

28

MON

2 GP

WED

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM

February 2021 SUN

TUE

Closed

9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 9AM-4.30PM 17

MON

13

20

between 8.30 am to 4.30pm

Monday to Friday

Doctor

24 Respira- 25 Respira- 26 Respira- 27 tory Physi- tory tory cian Physician Physician

For more information visit our website www.uths.com.au

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