health and wellbeing
Suicide Prevention:
Local Government Plays a Vital Role
MARK JOSEPH, LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE
Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Committee
Local Government can undertake a wide range
of activities to help implement the Tasmanian
Government’s recently released Suicide
Prevention Strategy – and it could be as simple as
organising a neighbourhood BBQ.
Officially launched in Launceston by Minister Michelle
O’Byrne in December 2010, the strategy has been
informed by extensive community consultation, as
well as best practice in suicide prevention both within
Australia and internationally. The strategy is a practical
document that takes a community action approach.
This involves community recognition of an issue and
community ownership of the solution.
The five key elements of the Tasmanian
Suicide Prevention Strategy are to:
• Build the social and informed capacity of
Tasmanians to effectively and decisively
prevent suicide in ways that best suit their
community context;
• Better organise available suicide prevention
resources to promote integrated and
coordinated service delivery;
• Build the capacity of Tasmania’s primary
health care resources to identify and
support persons thinking about or at
imminent risk of suicide;
• Strengthen the resources of acute inpatient
and community mental health; and services
to better support persons discharged from
acute psychiatric inpatient care, and
• Limit access to methods of suicide and
exposure to suicide methods via the media
or peers.
While council’s in Tasmania might not be
directly involved in health service provision,
they can be directly involved in suicide
prevention. The promotion of information and
help lines, as well as specialist mental health
services at community events and expos, and
the support for local activities that strengthen
social fabric can help communities effectively
and decisively prevent suicide.
Council activities that increase participation
and connectedness, especially for young
people, seniors, or new community
members, play an important part in helping
to maintain people’s mental health and
wellbeing. Community gardens, men’s sheds,
neighbourhood BBQs, community picnics,
arts, entertainment and cultural events,
38
LGAT News March 2011
community and environmental working bees and a
myriad of other Local Government initiatives contribute
to community resilience and wellbeing. These events,
particularly in regional areas undergoing rapid change,
help to connect new or isolated community members,
recognise the contribution of individuals to the life of the
community and give people a strong sense of purpose.
For further information about the strategy,
go to www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/mentalhealth/
publications/strategic_documents, or contact
Jane Austin at Statewide and Mental Health
Services on (03) 6230 7812, or email
[email protected].
health and wellbeing
Councils Stride and Ride with
Local Primary Schools
In 2010, the Department of Health and Human
Services provided funding to the LGAT to assist
three councils to get behind their local Move Well
Eat Well schools, with the clear goal of promoting
walking and riding in the local community.
Encouraging children to walk, scoot, or ride bikes
as a form of transport is one of the
key strategies of the Move Well Eat
Well program. The Stride and Ride
message, along with others promoting
healthy eating and physical activity,
helps schools create an environment
where eating well and being active is
a positive, regular and normal part of
every child’s day. Over 140 primary
schools state-wide are currently
participating in the Move Well Eat Well
program.
Brighton, Burnie City and Launceston
City Councils proposed some creative
ideas based on discussions with their
local Move Well Eat Well schools.
Outcomes have included development
of a new bike lending program for
Invermay Primary School, a Brighton whole community
walk involving over 650 kids and families, and the
development of a kid’s cycleway facility at Burnie.
For details about Move Well Eat Well, visit
www.education.tas.gov.au/movewelleatwell, or
email [email protected].
Invermay Primary students assemble for the ride to launch
the new bike lending program
Will You Recognise
Your Heart Attack?
Heart attacks claim one Australian life every
46 minutes. More than half of all heart attack
deaths occur out of hospital and about 25% of
victims die within one hour of their first ever
symptom.
In Tasmania, apart from chest pain, arm pain
and shortness of breath, 66% of us are not
aware of the other warning signs of heart
attack. To reduce these alarming statistics,
the Heart Foundation is currently running
a major new health campaign in Tasmania.
Will you recognise your heart attack? aims to
increase awareness in recognising heart attack
symptoms and people’s confidence to call
Triple Zero (000) – fast.
A scene from the Heart Foundation’s new
Will you recognise your heart attack?
television campaign
Heart attack symptoms may include pain,
pressure, heaviness or tightness in one or more
parts of the upper body (chest, neck, jaw, arm(s),
shoulder(s) or back) in combination with other
symptoms of nausea, shortness of breath,
dizziness, or a cold sweat. Each symptom can
be a clear warning that the person is about to
have a heart attack and needs to act fast.
Don’t become a statistic. Find out more at
www.heartattackfacts.org.au.
March 2011 LGAT News
39
health and wellbeing
Why Workplace Health Promotion
and Wellness Programs?
A 2009 report from the National Health and
Hospitals Reform Commission recognised that
about 60% of Australians lack basic health literacy.
They lack the knowledge and skills to understand
and use information about how to stay healthy, or
how to find their way around the health system.
The Commission’s report encourages provision of
wellness and health promotion programs in the
workplace. Most people identify strongly with
their working role – it is who they are and what
they do.
Proactive occupational health care sits well alongside the
more traditional reactive occupational health and safety
approach. Where organisations are unable to fund a
dedicated employee to this area, external providers
offer a means of selecting the areas of interest for your
workplace, either for design, or delivery, or both, and
also to assist with parallel policy development or revision
as required.
For further information, contact Tonie Miller at
Workplace Interface at
[email protected].
In Tasmania, this consideration is of even greater
concern. Of all the states in Australia, Tasmania has
the highest percentage of older workers. As people
grow older, their health needs may change. Lifestyle
risk factors increase with age. Health status is a critical
determinant of a person’s quality of life and ability and
willingness to participate in the workforce.
To ensure the continued participation of both the Baby
Boomer and Generations X and Y in our workforce,
Tasmanian employers benefit from encouraging
proactive workplace health maintenance. This would
assist in retaining the expertise and experience of our
loyal Baby Boomers longer, and offer our generations X
and Y attractive benefits to increase their job retention.
Assessments of risk status for the organisation from
alcohol and other drug misuse can provide a valuable
opportunity to educate people in an area where this
is not readily available. Similarly, education provision
and assistance to people who smoke can also
have a profoundly positive outcome for employees
with the invaluable element of built-in support and
encouragement a workplace can provide.
This can apply to the sensitive issues of smoking
cessation, mental health issues, alcohol and other
drug impacts, cardiovascular disease, diet and weight
management, sleep difficulties, cancer awareness and
prevention, medication management and a variety of
other topics tailored to the specific needs of a workforce
environment.
40
LGAT News March 2011
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A great deal of information on health is already widely
available from a variety of sources. While people who
are motivated will seek and utilise this information
to improve their health status, those who lack basic
health literacy and need the information most,
generally have no means or impetus to learn how to
improve their lifestyle. Some important information
is also not readily available. Here, the central impact
of relating relevant health information in an easily
understood form to the individual, within a supportive
environment such as a workplace, can provide the
elements of support and encouragement that many
people require to empower them to make lasting
lifestyle changes.
health and wellbeing
health and wellbeing
Anita Dow
Gets Moving
What motivates you to be physically active?
We have two young children and another on the way, so
life can’t help but be busy and active. It is important to
get out and about with your children, introducing them
to the importance of being physically active and finding a
physical activity that they enjoy.
How do you like to keep active?
I enjoy walking and swimming. Family activities include
walking, or riding bikes or scooters and attending
swimming lessons. I also try to combine exercise in
everyday activities like taking the stairs instead of the lift,
or walking to my destination instead of parking out the
front. I believe that a holistic approach to healthy living
– including eating well, exercising, taking time out to
relax and maintaining a good work/life balance – leads to
enhanced self esteem, improved energy and increased
productivity.
Burnie City Council Deputy Mayor Anita Dow
with daughters Madeleine and Alexandra on
Burnie’s new coastal pathway
How often do you undertake physical activity?
I do try to exercise each day but I’m not always good
at staying committed to this goal. I guess chasing after
two small children each day keeps me pretty active. My
New Year’s Resolution is always to be more physically
active.
What does your Council do to promote physical
activity among employees?
Burnie City Council staff members receive a monthly
newsletter which includes articles that highlight staff
sporting achievements and tips on maintaining a healthy
lifestyle. Staff members are encouraged and informed
of the benefits of taking the stairs instead of the lift
in the workplace and various activities are organised
through the Council Social Club. There is a strong
emphasis on forming friendships in the workplace and
maintaining a healthy life balance. Currently, Council
staff members are being encouraged to take part in the
Red Cross Summer Blood Challenge. The three-month
campaign is an opportunity for groups to help make a
difference to the lives of others by donating blood and
competing against other organisations.
What does your Council do to promote physical
activity among community members?
The Burnie Challenge, part of the Cradle Coast
Authority’s Healthy Communities initiative, will be held
in Burnie on 10 April. This event will consist of trail
running mixed with 14 various types of obstacles, set to
challenge both teams and individuals. A number of cross
training programs will assist participants in preparing for
the event. Healthcare cardholders will have free access
to professional trainers leading up to the event. Fitness
celebrity and qualified cross-fitness trainer, ‘Commando
Steve’, a regular on the TV show Australia’s Biggest
Loser, has been secured to assist in promoting and
encouraging participation at the event.
The Coastal Pathway, completed in August 2010, came
about from a jointly funded Federal, State and Local
Government partnership. The project created jobs for 11
people, 10 of which were new employees. The pathway
features a concrete shared cycle and walkway from Emu
River to the CBD, and from West Park through to Cooee,
following the beautiful coastline. Elements of the project
also include landscaping, seating, water fountains, bike
racks and secure bike storage in the multi-story car park
to promote the option of alternate transport to the city
centre.
The Premier’s Physical Activity Council (PPAC)
was established in June 2001 to provide a
coordinated approach to the promotion and
provision of opportunities for physical activity
in Tasmania. In 2004, PPAC established a Local
Government Sub-Committee as part of its
strategy to achieve the goals of the Tasmanian
Physical Activity Plan: LIVE LIFE Get Moving.
March 2011 LGAT News
41
environment
Notice for customers and clients
Southern Water has moved
Southern Water head office has moved.
NRM North - Working with local
government to care for the natural
resources of our island home
We are now based at:
169 Main Rd
Moonah
www.nrmnorth.org.au
All correspondence should continue to be addressed to
PO Box 1060, Glenorchy TAS 7010.
Our vision:
“To be the leading non-government
organisation
ganisation that produces
uces results in na
natu
natural
resource management
agement ac
across northern
Tasmania”
We cannot
annot achieve our vision alone. We clo
closely
close
work in pa
partnerships
ps with stakeholders to
develop the best ways to protect, conser
conserve
and manage our natural resources for future
generations.
For all enquiries please call 13MYWATER (13 6992).
Who do I call about MY WATER?
For issues concerning
Contact
Stormwater
Your local council
Toilet or sink blockages
Your plumber
Your bill and payment options
Building applications
Plumbing applications
Dirty water
Call
13MYWATER
(13 6992)
Your water meter
Problems with water mains or
sewerage mains
After hours emergencies
NRM North
Level 2, McKenzie Building
63 Cameron Street
Launceston
(03) 6333 7777
[email protected]
Australian Government
www.southernwatertas.com.au
13MYWATER (13 6992)
Replas Recycled
Plastic Products
“We convert industrial and domestic waste
into high quality recycled plastic products”
Since 1992 Replas (Repeat Plastics) has been recycling
plastic from domestic and commercial waste. We produce
products of consistently high quality using recycling
technology entirely developed by our own engineers. The
bene ts are:
• Diverting waste fr
• Low maintenance and long lasting products
• High resistance to vandalism
• Termite resistant
• Colour is built in to the product, no
painting required
• No splitting or rotting as with timber
emovable in most cases
Email us on [email protected],
visit our website at www.replas.com.au
or phone 03 6231 3171
42
LGAT News March 2011
Replas recycled plastic Enduroplank
and wharf fenders
TM
Bellerive Boardwalk, Kangaroo Bay, Tasmania