Information for Consumers and Carers
In an emergency, Hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) can provide mental health assessment and support | In life-threatening situations call 000 for immediate help.
Quick links for Carers
Information about treatment and services
- For simple information about different diagnoses - click here
- For information about the various mental health services and their locations - click here
- To read about what you can expect if you come to hospital - click here
- The Mental Health Admission Pack - provides information about an inpatient stay
- Charter of Healthcare Rights - apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia. The Charter describes what you, or someone you care for, can expect when receiving health care
- We employ a number of Peer Support Workers with their own lived experience of mental ill health
- If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and want to talk it through 24/7 - Suicide Call Back Service
Partnering with consumers in mental healthcare
We are committed to working alongside consumers, and see it as key to achieving better outcomes for people accessing mental health services.
Because we are committed to this principle, we have a focus on partnering with consumers and carers in our healthcare planning.
There are a number of ways consumers, carers and the community can get involved and help us to design and deliver mental healthcare.
Your Experience of Service (YES) Survey
The YES survey is designed to gather information from consumers about their experiences of care. It aims to help mental health services and consumers to work together to build better services. Available at all MH Service locations – just ask!
The Mental Health Lived Experience Participation Unit (LEPU)
People with lived experience of mental health challenges, their carers, families and other support people are recognised as active partners with our service. Effective participation occurs when consumers and carers are meaningfully involved in decision making about a person’s care and treatment, or providing input on decision making about service delivery, health policy and planning, or about the broader wellbeing of themselves and the community (Department of Human Services, 2006).
To support safe and effective engagement and participation across the service, unit, program and organisational levels, HNE MHS has a Lived Experience Participation Unit (LEPU). It is the preferred method for collaborating with independent people who are passionate about engaging in systemic advocacy and service redesign and innovation. The unit is a central point for the recruitment, management and support of these enthusiastic individuals and the service.
People can partner with us in a variety of ways:
- At an Individual level – examples include: shared decisions about treatment, care and self-management; feedback on your experiences of care (CES Survey).
- With a Service, Unit or Program – examples include: being involved in co-design of service improvement or new developments; being involved in reference groups and committees; providing feedback and being involved in the co-evaluation of services.
- Across the Organisation (HNEMHS) – examples include: being a representative on advisory groups and committees looking at policies and new services; participating in governance roles monitoring performance; and being involved in training of staff.
- At the broader community and strategic systems level – examples include advocacy in consumer and community groups at regional, state, national levels; co-design of policies and strategies; representatives on committees.
Please email for more information or if you would like to become a member of the LEPU
HNEHLD-MentalHealthConsumerParticipation@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Aboriginal Mental Health - Yimamulinbinkaan “The ones who lead/Leaders”
Maruung Maruung “Good good Deadly” Yarn up Feel Deadly application
The app includes a number of culturally considerate resources and powerful personal video testimonials. The app includes:
- Resources to learn Aboriginal language
- Information regarding mental health conditions, treatments and medications
- Details of upcoming community events
- Employment opportunities
It also has a staff portal where training and case scenarios are available on how to provide culturally responsive mental health assessments for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. While the culturally appropriate app is designed to target the Aboriginal community, the content and links will benefit and be of interest to all.
Yarn Up Feel Deadly Application
Download the free 'SportsBag Communicator App'. Once downloaded press 'My Services', then search and type in Yarn Up Feel Deadly.
Why our services ask if someone identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse resources
Consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can access more information by clicking here
Complaints and compliments
The information that comes from complaints and compliments helps us to changed and improve our services. Click here for the various ways in which you can submit a complaint or a compliment.
Information for Carers
Family and Carer Update / Newsletter
Please see this month’s edition of the HNE MHS Family and Carer informational Resource. Topic for this month - Knowing your limits. How can you consider safe boundaries for you and the person you care for?
Click here for a newsletter containing the latest family and carer updates and resourcesFamily and carer resources
We know how disorientating it can be for carers and families when a loved one has to receive treatment for mental ill health. The following resources are really important tools to support carers to navigate the mental health system and communicate successfully with the different clinical staff you will encounter. These tools were developed in partnership with carers.
- Phases of Family Engagement – A FIVE Point Plan for Families and Clinicians | a tool to help you navigate the phase of care
- HNE Mental Health: Our commitment to engage with carers
Carer Experience Survey
We'd love to get your feedback to improve our services and make things easier. You can get a copy of the survey at any of our MH service locations - please ask
Factsheets, Information and Brochures
Family and Carer Update / Newsletter (previous editions)
2021 | |
Caring through COVID | |
Self-Care | |
Dual Diagnosis | |
Caring for ageing carers, with a focus on caring for the elderly | |
2022 | |
How to provide meaningful feedback to the service - Part 1 | |
How to provide meaningful feedback to the service - Part 2 | |
Eating Disorders; information and support for families and carers | |
Trauma as result of exposure to war and/or civil unrest; How to support those we care for and ourselves during times of stress and uncertainty | |
Navigating mental illness experienced by children and adolescents. | |
Grief and Loss- the experiences of families and carers | |
Support for families and carers of people from the LGBTIQ+ community -through a mental health lens | |
Borderline Personality Disorder- useful resources for family members, partners, friends and other support people | |
Resilience; what it is and how can we work towards achieving it | |
November | Navigating Change |
2023 | |
January | Self care- what does this mean for families, friends and carers? |
March | Worried about the person you support? |
Useful Links
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS), NSW
- Being - Consumer Advisory and Wellbeing Group
- Carer Gateway
- Domestic, family and sexual violence
- Eating Disorder Resources
- Find a Psychologist (via APS website)
- Flourish
- headspace
- Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network
- Hunter Primary Care
- Life without Barriers
- Lifeline - Service Finder
- Mental health carers NSW
- NEAMI National
- Newcastle Family Support
- One Door Mental Health
- Pius X Aboriginal Corporation - Moree
- Reach Out
- Samaritans
- Sane Australia