Hunter Residents: Don't suffer in silence, help is available

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Following a horror start to 2020, first with bushfires and then with the COVID-19 pandemic, the community is experiencing high levels of worry and anxiety.

The Black Dog Institute is estimating up to 33 per cent of the community are experiencing anxiety and panic, depression, anger, confusion, uncertainty and financial stress, with very few of them knowing what help is available.

Toronto Private Hospital, Acting Director of Clinical Services, Leanne Bashford encourages locals to explore their options rather than suffering in silence.

"It's unfortunate that so many people within our community are living with uncontrollable worry and fear, causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in parts of their daily life," Ms Bashford said.

"We want the community to know that there are options. It might not be appropriate for all patients to stay as an inpatient, however at Toronto Private Hospital we offer a wide range of day programs, that provide weekly group therapy tailored to the need of each group."

Rebecca Allen, Toronto Private Hospital Day Program Senior Therapist, sees the progress of patients attending her groups.

"The fundamental goal of group therapy is to initiate a sense of belonging or relatability through understanding, which is achieved by sharing common experiences," Ms Allen said.

For this reason, group therapy is most effective when utilised to address a specific concern common to all members of the group. While some patients find the group setting confronting at first, they soon realise that everyone within the group is confronting the same issues and that sense of belonging develops quickly.

"The saddest thing is that many of our group participants have been struggling for years because they didn't know that a service like ours was available."

The Day Mental Health Programs at Toronto Private Hospital are run at Toronto Therapy Services (TTS), onsite at the hospital. Each group runs one day a week, generally for half a day, for three to four months.

Programs include Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Young at Heart (for older people), Distress Management Techniques (DMT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Art Therapy, Self Management Skills and more.

"Our programs are covered by your Private Health Insurance, DVA and Workers Compensation, additionally for those who do not have private health insurance, self-fund rates and After Pay payment options are available," Ms Bashford said.

"The team at Toronto Private encourage patients who feel that affordability is a barrier to have a conversation with the intake coordinator."

For more information about Toronto Private Hospital Mental Health Day Programs, visit www.torontoprivate.com.au or call 1800 311 470.

This is advertiser content for Toronto Private Hospital.