The Heart Foundation wants to improve the heart health of all Australians by providing information and resources to reduce risk of heart disease, so they have developed new and updated web content on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for health professionals and consumers.

New pages for consumers

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Heart health information and resources.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Are you at risk of heart disease?
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Lower your risk of heart disease
• What is acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease? 

New pages for health professionals

• For Professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples information and resources. 

Updated pages for health professionals

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Heart Health Projects.
• For professionals: Guidelines for acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
• For professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples identification training.
• For professionals: Cardiovascular disease risk assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.
• For professionals: Online education and training.

The programs on offer during the second half of the year are detailed below:

• Mental Health First Aid
• Operation Life – safeTALK and ASIST - Suicide prevention workshops
• Doing Anger Differently
• Engaging Adolescents – Parent Course
• Stepping Out – Transition program
• Relaxation and Mindfulness
• 123 Magic and Emotion Coaching - Parent Course
• Managing your Pain
• Understanding Anxiety
• Residential Lifestyle Management - Couples program (Cairns).

To download a PDF of the calendar, click here.

There are many benefits participants may gain from undertaking a group program, including the following:

• gaining the opportunity to learn about and address mental health concerns in a supportive environment, whilst being guided by experienced facilitators
• gaining an understanding that others may share their experiences
• developing an understanding of resources and supports available.

Health care professionals are being asked to share these group programs directly with potential participants. Interested participants can register for group programs, or make enquiries by contacting Open Arms on 1800 011 046. Interested participants are also encouraged to visit the Open Arms website for more detailed information regarding group programs, eligibility, and to register their interest.

The program provides Video Call licenses free of charge for use by non-GP type primary care services classed as Mental Health, Aged Care, Maternity, Indigenous Health, and Allied Health services.

At this stage, eligibility criteria for access to the Video Call Exemplar Program remains the same and all those services currently enrolled will maintain free access to Video Call licenses. The Australian Department of Health is currently reviewing the eligibility criteria for this program and once these changes are confirmed Healthdirect Australia will promptly communicate these changes. For more information, contact the healthdirect Video Call team.