By CASEY NEILL
WOMEN in Springvale and surrounds can now access a Victorian-first mental health service.
The Springvale Women’s Prevention and Recovery Care Services Centre (PARC) officially opened on 7 March.
PARC short-stay residential facilities provide early intervention for mental illness and a safe place for mental health patients to progress their recovery following a hospital stay.
Monash Health community, access and partnerships director George Osman said the 10-bed facility in Royal Avenue had been open for a few years but had just transitioned to women-only.
“This new model of care recognises that the needs of women recovering from mental illness differ from males,” he said.
“This is an extremely progressive model that offers a specialised program for women.”
Mr Osman said patient stays ranged from 10 days to a month, and illnesses treated varied from depression to schizophrenia.
“We chose Springvale mainly because it’s a very multicultural community, a very diverse community,” he said.
“We’ve had discussions with the Islamic community there and how we will treat and participate with Islamic women as well.
“I think there are some very specific treatments and religious processes that would suit that as well as generally providing a safer and a full range of treatment for when you treat women.”
Mr Osman said all rooms were singles with ensuites.
“It’s a bit more dignified, I guess, than being in a hospital bed,” he said.
He said the centre was looking at offering spaces for children to stay with their mothers during treatment.
Community-based organisation Ermha runs the centre and supports recovery and instils hope for people who are experiencing the effects of a mental illness.
“It’s run through their philosophy,” Mr Osman said.
“We’ll be doing a review of the process in about six months’ time so we can share that information with our peers.
“We need to learn from this.”
