Community invited to free Youth Mental Health Forum in Ararat
As part of the Start Talkin' community-based mental health awareness campaign, teenagers, parents, teachers and the Ararat community are invited to attend a free youth mental health forum later this month. The forum will be held at Ararat College, Middle Years Centre, (Barkly Street) on Monday 24 June 2013 from 6.30pm. The forum will discuss the challenges facing young people, and will provide information on: Risks in the online world, including cyber safety and online bullying. Self-harm…why do some young people hurt themselves? Warning signs of mental illness. Is it teenage angst or something more serious? Who to contact for advice and assistance. The speakers will guide a challenging, highly relevant and informative discussion designed to improve the well-being of young people in the community. Guest speakers at the forum will include: Tamara Irish - Executive Director Mental Health Services, Ballarat Health Services Maurice Billi - Grampians Commun ...

Dry July funds will benefit local cancer patients
The Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) will again be a beneficiary of the national Dry July campaign. The BRICC is one of 31 cancer services across Australia which will benefit from the 31 day booze-free challenge to improve the lives of adults living with cancer and their families. This is the second time that Dry July has supported BRICC. In 2012 more than $48,000 was raised to purchase items for the Wellness Centre at the BRICC. Proceeds raised through Dry July this year will support ongoing programs in the Wellness Centre which will improve the wellbeing of patients and their families throughout their treatment and beyond. The Ballarat Health Services Foundation was instrumental in gaining the support of Dry July in 2012 and is again pleased to champion the cause on behalf of Ballarat Health Services. BHS Foundation Chairman George Fong will be giving up his nightly glass of wine during July and encouraged locals to register for the c ...

Taking the bite out of dental waiting lists
The BHS Dental Clinic has been selected to present its innovative approach to reducing the waiting list at the Dental Health Services Victoria Innovation Workshop in Melbourne this month. The workshop for public dental providers, to be held on 14 June 2013, will highlight BHS Dental’s Super Saturday sessions which helped reduced waiting lists through bulk screening of clients on the list. Super Saturday sessions have been running over the past three years, allowing BHS dentists to see around 200 patients during each four hour period. Following the Super Saturday clinic, patients are divided into two groups. Those with the most urgent need were given appointments to complete their care, whilst those with a lesser need were given a voucher to receive care and treatment a local private dental clinic. Dental Clinic Manager, Tracey Wilson, said that as a result of the blitz, waiting lists have been reduced by 24 months. “The great benefit of these sessions is that we can mo ...