Lithgow Community Projects is a community based, nonprofit organisation funded by the Department of Family and Community Services, Specialist Homelessness Services Program. Lithgow Commuity Projects Inc. provides support, information, accommodation, and counselling services, as well as cordinates a variety of social and recreational events and groups in the Lithgow region.

Mental Health

Mental Illness

Just like our physical health, everyone varies in their mental health.  Being mentally healthy means that generally we feel okay, that we can cope with the challenges of living, and we have good social networks. At points throughout our lives our mental health may suffer for a variety of reasons including biological factors, traumatic life experiences, particular personal factors, and current circumstances. Sometimes these factors combine and it becomes more difficult to do the day to day things that we usually take for granted with people commonly feeling angry, anxious, irritable, confused or overwhelmed. Mostly, with support and time we recover, however sometimes the impact can begin to severly affect people and their ability to live their everyday life.

Mental illness refers to difficulties which are longer term and more severe than mental health problems. There are many types of identified mental illnesses each with particular patterns of symptoms, although they can vary for each person in terms of how they are affected, the severity, and duration. Common mental illnesses include Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Psychosis, and Schizophrenia.

Unfortunately there is still a lot of stigma around mental illness, however it is common in our community, and those living with mental illness need assistance and support in much the same way that people need support with physical illnesses. If you are concerned about someone who is struggling with a mental health issue it is important to seek professional help from your GP or Mental Health team. There are also some useful links below, but this cannot replace professional advice.

There are many services who can help:

• Lithgow Mental Health: Rose Cottage 6354 0600
• Lithgow Community Health Centre 6350 2750
• Adolescent self harm student & parent info pack http://www.bnpca.org.au/publications
• Beyone Blue http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?
• Child Youth Health http://www.cyh.com/healthtopics
• Depression Net http://www.depressionet.com.au/
• Headspace for Young People http://www.headspace.org.au
• Lifeline http://www.lifeline.org.au/ 13 11 14
• Mental Health Association Inc NSW 24 hr phone service 1800 674 200
• Mood Gym on line self help program http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome
• NSW Health: Supporting Children after suicide booklet http://www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Reachout http://www.reachout.com
• SANE Australia http://www.sane.org
• Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org/know/selfharm/aboutselfharm.shtm
• Suicide Callback Service http://www.crisissupport.org.au/1300 659 467

Disclaimer: LCP Inc. provides this page as a guide to some of the options available. This does not mean we endorse or recommend any of these groups, chat rooms or websites.