Overview
Objectives
Program detail
Resources
For more information
Overview
The Personal Helpers and Mentors (PhaMs) Program is one of the key initiatives of the CoAG National Action Plan on Mental Health. Responsibility for delivery of this program rests with the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), with total funding of $284.8 million over 5 years. This funding will be used to employ approximately 900 full time equivalent (FTE) Personal Helpers and Mentors across Australia, including in rural and remote areas. A breakdown of the roll-out of these workers is given below:- 2006-07 – 140 FTE (approximately)
- 2007-08 – additional 260 FTE (approximately)
- 2008-09 – additional 400 FTE (approximately)
- 2009-10 – additional 100 FTE (approximately)
Objectives
PhaMs program aims to provide increased opportunities for recovery for people who have a severe functional limitation resulting from a severe mental illness by helping them to overcome social isolation and increase their connections to their community.Program detail
Four (from four) funding rounds for this program have closed. The last funding round concluded in 2009, although Round Four sites have not yet been announced.To date, FaHCSIA have funded over 76 non-Government organisations across Australia , supporting the establishment of teams of PhaMs in each of the locations. The PhaMs employed by each service provider, support program participants in their recovery journey, building long-term relationships and providing holistic support. They ensure that services accessed by program participants are coordinated, integrated and complementary to other services in the community. A helper and mentor:
- helps participants to better manage their daily activities and reconnect to their community;
- provides direct and personalised assistance through outreach services;
- provides referrals and links with appropriate services such as drug and alcohol and accommodation services;
- works with participants in the development of Individual Recovery Plans which focus on participants' goals and recovery journey;
- engages and supports family, carers and other relationships, and
- monitors and reports progress against each participant's Individual Recovery Plan.
Resources
- Personal Helpers and Mentors
- Personal Helpers and Mentors – Fact Sheet
- Personal Helpers and Mentors – Brochure
- Personal Helpers and Mentors – List of funded sites