Depression Support Programs

"Beyond Maturity Blues"

Depression in older people is common and may occur for different reasons.

Importantly, while the onset of a physical illness or personal loss and sadness can be common and may lead to depression, depression is not a normal part of ageing.

Council of the Ageing (COTA), together with Beyond Blue (the national depression initiative), were concerned about the lack of information available to older people experiencing depression and supported the introduction of information sessions called 'Beyond Maturity Blues'.

'Beyond Maturity Blues' sessions help increase knowledge about depression and encourage early intervention and support. They also aim to decrease the stigma around depression and demonstrate to people that it is not a normal part of ageing.

What Happens at Sessions:

• The facilitator will lead participants through an interactive session about depression and beyond maturity blues, encouraging feedback and questions.
• Participants receive handouts to take home to read at their leisure and to tell others about information and resources covered in the session.
• Sessions run for up to one hour.

At MIFNQ there are staff trained and supported by COTA and Beyond Blue to deliver these sessions.  They can come to your organisation or group. 

Contact
Townsville office
Qld Manager Education & Training
Phone:  (07) 4725 3664 
Email:   training@mifnq.org.au

"Partners in Depression"

Partners in Depression is offered at MIFNQ and is supported by Beyond Blue.  It is an innovative information and group education program to address the information and support needs of people who love, live with or support someone experiencing depression

The group program has been developed using the current evidence in this field and has been designed as an adult support, education and information program suitable for any person over the age of 16.

It is a six session (2 hours per week) program run by two facilitators in a local community setting.

Topics covered include:

• What is depression
  • Treatments for depression
  • Suicidality and self-harm
  • Communication strategies
  • The support role
• Importance of self-care

The session outlines are shown below:

Session 1 - Introductions and building awareness

Session 2 - Insight to caring, understanding depression and its treatments

Session 3 - The caring and support experience

Session 4 - The support experience and introduction to cognitive behaviour therapy

Session 5 - Suicidality, self harm and communication strategies

Session 6 - Help seeking, support and resources and planning for the future

Who can attend?

Any person who loves, supports, lives with or cares for a person with depression may benefit from attending a Partners in Depression group. Your relationship to the person experiencing depression may be as a:

• Spouse
• Partner
• Parent
• Sibling
• Child
• Grandparent
• Relative
• Friend 
• Colleague
• Carer

Facilitators have been trained to deliver the program and are also qualified with:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or other relevant qualifications (e.g., psychology, counselling, mental health nursing, social work, Cert IV in training).
• Knowledge or experience in mental health.

Contact
Townsville office
Well Ways Manager
Phone: (07) 4725 3664
Email: ww-tsv@mifnq.org.au