Recreating- Hub page- Mental health and young people: opportunities to empower and engage
Increasing numbers of young Australians are reporting psychological distress. Open communication and a comprehensive psychosocial assessment are key for optimising the management of mental health issues for young Australians aged 16–24 years.
Living with heart failure
- For most adults living with a mental health disorder, symptoms started before the age of 24 years. This emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and management.
- Establish trust to facilitate open communication, which may inform a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and increase understanding of what is important to a young person when preparing individualised management options.
- Ask about suicidal thoughts regularly, and develop a safety plan. These are essential risk-management strategies when caring for young people with mental health issues.
- Support young people to use lifestyle and social management strategies as the foundation of management. Support should also be given to help them engage with psychological options that meet their needs and preferences.
- Consider trialling an SSRI when symptoms of depression and/or anxiety disorder are severe, or psychological treatment is not possible or not effective. Monitor for suicidal thoughts and behaviours after medicine initiation, particularly in young people.
Podcast: Coming soon
This series of videos covers information about what heart failure is, and what medicines can treat it.
What I’ve learnt about living with heart failure – Grace’s story
Grace Castro, diagnosed with heart failure 5 years ago, shares her story to provide valuable insight on how she works with her team of health professionals to manage her condition and improve her quality of life.
How can I find support to take an active role?
- Read the fact sheet Heart failure: what you need to know to learn more about living with heart failure
- Download and print the action plan Heart failure: more than just your heart and take with you to your GP
- Complete the action plan with your GP
- Download and print a medicines list
- If you are a smart phone user, find a medicines list on the MedicineWise app, which you can download for free on Google Play or the App Store
- Ask our health professionals about medicines by calling 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424)
Where else can I find information and support?
Heart Foundation
How to manage your condition:
- Video series about heart failure and its management
- Living well with heart failure
- Take Action within 24 Hours
- My Fluid Plan
- Healthy weight action plan
- Physical activity action plan
- Get started with more physical activity
General information about heart failure:
- Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Information in community languages
- Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you
- Find a Heart Foundation walking group near you
Western Australia Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA)
Video about people living with heart failure
Veterans’ MATES - Information for Veterans and their families
Taking steps to live well with heart failure
Beyond Blue
Mental wellbeing support service
Beyond Blue helpline 1300 22 4636