August 15, 2017

Golden partnership for personality disorders

Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies launches program for the treatment of personality disorders in south west Sydney.

The Gold Card Clinics are the largest scale program for the treatment of personality disorders in south west Sydney.

In a partnership between South Western Sydney Local Health District and the University of Wollongong's Project Air Strategy for Personality Disorders, the Gold Card Clinics provide comprehensive, integrated services that range from early intervention through to longer term treatments.

Minister Davies said: “With a significant proportion of emergency mental health presentations being due to personality disorders, this new service will better support consumers, carers and the south west community.”

District Mental Health Director Dr Claire Jones said: “When people present to the ED in psychological distress they receive a gold card.

"They take the card to our mental health team and this is where their intervention starts.

“We are impressed that over 400 of our mental health and drug health staff have been specifically trained in the treatment of personality disorders, which shows our commitment to the program.”

Dr Jones explained that a personality disorder is a term used to describe personality traits when they have become extreme, inflexible, and maladaptive.

“These problems usually start in adolescence or early adulthood and affect most areas of their life.”

“Symptoms can include changing and overwhelming emotions, relationship difficulties, issues with a sense of self or impulsive and self-destructive behaviours.”

“Personality disorders represent a significant treatment challenge for mental health services, in part because of the severity of the disorder, but also because of their high prevalence in the community.”

“The good news is personality disorders can be treated. There are a range of successful treatments that have proven to be effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.”

Professor Brin Grenyer, Project Air Director, University of Wollongong said: “The program brings evidence-based knowledge and practice into health services.

“The Gold Card Clinics take a stepped approach to mental health. We are excited to turn this innovation into ‘business as usual’, to help support the south west community.”

There are four Gold Card Clinics being launched across the District at Bowral, Campbelltown, Bankstown, Liverpool/Fairfield Community Health Services.

For treatment and support please contact your local health service.

Left to right: Amanda Larkin (Chief Executive, SWSLHD), Melanie Gibbons MP, Member for Holsworthy, Professor Brin Grenyer (Project Air Strategy), The Hon Tanya Davies MP, Janice Gregory (Gold Card Clinic Coordinator Campbelltown) and Dr Claire Jones (Director Mental Health Services, SWSLHD)