Clients make remarkable recovery to enjoy family and children again

Two clients of the Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) program delivered by North and West Remote Health (NWRH) have turned their lives around in the past financial year due to the extraordinary efforts of clinicians.

NWRH MHICC Program Team Leader Damien Gott said the remarkable progress of the clients was particularly satisfying for team members and are just two examples of the many great outcomes that have been achieved as part of the program funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network.

One client experienced severe mental illness, exacerbated by complex domestic circumstances and drug and alcohol concerns.

“The MHICC nurse liaised with multiple support services, including supporting the client to engage with the Queensland Police Service and safe shelter, drug and alcohol support, Centrelink, medical support for a serious medical condition, and engaging in employment,” Mr Gott said.

“The nurse sought assistance from several local businesses that were able to support the family. The client also began to repair family relationships that were able to support the client in their recovery.”

The client was now:

• on a Department of Housing waiting list
• not using substances
• fully employed
• taking part in healthy activities with children and family.

Mr Gott said the second client also experienced long term mental health concerns (PTSD, depression, and anxiety), complicated by issues with alcohol, unemployment, and strained family relationships.

“Since leaving their career they had held and lost jobs, navigated long term issues with depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and issues with alcohol. They had had various levels of engagement with mental health support services,” Mr Gott said.  

Mr Gott said a MHICC Credentialed Mental Health Nurse helped the client receive a PTSD diagnosis and also assisted the client with:

• linking with a psychiatrist
• linking with advocates
• support in managing depressive and PTSD episodes and anger  
• rebuilding relationships with children and family.

MHICC services are designed to support adults experiencing severe, complex, and chronic mental illness. Funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), the program offers a wide range of services including complex care coordination, family support, and recovery planning. The program can support adults from all walks of life and life circumstances including Defence Veterans, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients, and LGBTQI+. MHICC services walk clients through the mental health system and link with other agencies, health, and support services and can support family members as well.

MHICC Mental Health Nurses apply a stepped care approach based on clinical measures with clients able to move between mental health programs as and when required.