WISE Employment - Job Network

PHaMs - The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program
Supporting people impacted by mental illness

With more than 23 years experience working with people with mental illness, WISE Employment is proud to be a new provider of the Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMs) in Casey B, Victoria.

The program is a key part of the Australian Government’s Mental Health package, which was announced in the 2006 Budget and is part of the Council of Australian Government’s National Action Plan on Mental Health.

The PHaMs aims to provide practical and emotional holistic support to people aged 16 and over with severe functional limitations as a result of mental illness. It will also assist participants to better manage their daily activities, as well as providing access to a range of appropriate services and support.

PHaMs will provide:
•	Recovery focused intensive individual case management
•	Linkage to appropriate clinical services • Linkage to other non-clinical services such as housing support, employment and education, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and/or other allied health services as appropriate
•	Coaching and outreach support to help manage daily activities
•	Mentoring and assistance to be socially engaged in the community
•	Lifestyle and wellness activities
•	General advocacy, as well as coaching and training
•	Inclusion of carers, family and friends of participants where relevant

WISE PHaMs Team Leader Lisa Moss believes that this is an incredibly valuable program. “Without programs like PHaMs, many people who are impacted by mental illness are at risk of falling through service gaps, being disconnected from their community and feeling undervalued,” she said. “This program focuses on people’s strengths and on recovery, addressing the needs of not just those diagnosed with mental illness but those people with suspected mental illness.”

Through PHaMs, the participants, their carers, friends and family (where appropriate) are partners in the recovery process, helping to shape, deliver and optimise the support necessary throughout the recovery process. “Participants will work with their own Personal Helper and Mentor who will help them to create an individual recovery plan to ensure the best possible outcomes in their lives,” she said. “Support is long-term with no mandatory cut off date.”

The PHaMs launch will be held at WISE Cranbourne (7-9 Bakewell Street) from 4pm on Thursday 7 February.

For further information about the program, please visit the Community section of the website.
> Click here for more information
> Click here for PhaMs Referral Form (PHM14).doc