(AOD – Alcohol & Other Drugs)
AOD COUNSELLING
AOD Counselling provides specialised care and service to the individual, families and friends on alcohol and other drug related issues. Staff are trained to assist you if you are experiencing problems with alcohol and/or other drugs and require information or education on alcohol and other drug use. AOD Counselling includes Harm reduction strategies and support to initiate and/or maintain change.
PEER SUPPORT
Our Peer Support worker assists in reconnecting people impacted by drug and alcohol issues, who are at risk of disengaging or have recently disengaged from treatment. The Peer Support Worker brings their own lived experience to support clients in their recovery, enhancing service provision and engagement through proactive brief interventions.
WITHDRAWAL SERVICES
The withdrawal services program is provided by clinicians who liaise closely with General Practitioners. It is the role of the clinician to provide information, assessment, advice and support to the client, family and General Practitioner, regarding the course of a planned withdrawal. Continuity of care is vital for clients and linkages with post withdrawal services are facilitated.
PHARMACOTHERAPY
Our specialised clinician in the ORT program offers assessment, referral options, education and support to individuals and medical professionals seeking information regarding Methadone and other pharmacotherapies such as Long Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB). Our outreach program provides support to prescribers and dispensers of drug substitute pharmacotherapies and to clients using substitute pharmacotherapies.
NEEDLE SYRINGE PROGRAM (NSP)
The provision of sterile injecting equipment through the NSP is an important harm reduction strategy to reduce the spread of blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C. SCHS provide this confidential service in Mildura. NSP is available upon request from our main reception (within business hours), or from the NSP vending machine which can be found outside of our Dental Reception. We ask that you please dispose of used NSP correctly and safely by placing it in the orange bins out the front of our main building – 137 Thirteenth Street Mildura.
ELDIGIBILITY & REFERRALS
Our Drug Treatment Service is a free and confidential service.
SCHS Mental Health and Drug Treatment Service can support people working and living in Mildura, Ouyen, Robinvale and surrounding areas. Appointments can be delivered Face to face, via telephone or telehealth.
To be referred to our Drug Treatment Services, please contact the Victorian catchment agency ACSO on 1300 022 760 or https://www.acso.org.au/ (Add this is hyperlink)
Alternatively, you can obtain a referral from your General Practitioner.
Referrals are generally from GPs with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) via Argus, referrals from external agencies are also welcome. In some circumstances, people can self-refer and obtain a MHCP within a few weeks of commencing treatment if required. A MHCP is not required for our General Counselling Service.
Clients will be contacted and booked in for an intake assessment with our Intake Clinician. The intake appointment will ascertain the participants suitability for the service, and the most appropriate clinician for the person.
Once deemed appropriate for our services, an appointment will be made with a clinician to develop recovery goals.
The Mental Health and AOD teams are not able to provide service to people in crisis. If someone presents in crisis they will be directed to the local area Mental Health Service at Mildura Base Public Hospital.
SCHS Mental Health and Drug Treatment Services can support people working and living in Mildura, Ouyen, Robinvale and surrounding areas. Appointments can be delivered Face to face, via telephone or telehealth.
Majority of SCHS Mental Health services are a free and confidential service.
General Counselling Fees are set according to your circumstances and are generally small. When you call to make a time for an intake screening appointment we will discuss the fee structure and provide you a form to complete.
