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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
HISTORY OF
THE ANXIETY DISORDERS ASSOCIATION SOUTH EAST INCORPORATED
A.D.A.S.E.
Anxiety Disorders South East (ADASE) was founded by Mrs. Helen Williams in 1995
when she identified a need for support to anxiety sufferers. Special guests at official
launch were Professor Chris Wever Child Psychologist from Rivendell Hospital in
Sydney he is also the author of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder book The Secret Problem
and the Anxiety book The Wobblies.
Anthony Byrne from The Anxiety Disorders Foundation of Australia in Adelaide.
Robert Tomlian Psychologist Adelaide.
Mt Gambier Mayor Don McDonnell.
ADASE Patron Stan Thomson ABC radio.
The founding of ADASE was achieved with the guidance from CEO Anthony Byrne
from The Anxiety Disorders Foundation of Australia; unfortunately this organisation has
since folded.
ADASE has had a presence in the South East Region for 16 years. It has provided
information sessions regarding a broad range of anxiety disorders. ADASE has also
provided telephone counselling on an as needs basis by Mrs. Williams in her own
premises for the past 16 years as ADASE does not have premises or staff other than
voluntary committee members.
Initially ADASE enlisted the services of a visiting psychologist Mr. Robert Tomlian, who
then facilitated the ADASE Information Sessions in the region. The funds for facilitation
expenses was raised by Helen Williams when she spoke as a guest speaker on numerous
occasions raising the awareness of anxiety disorders and depression to Service groups
such as Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis requesting support to cover cost for the ADASE
information session. Mr. Tomlian has done a wonderful job providing information around
anxiety and depression assisting consumers to identify with key issues. Consumers were
then referred back to their General Practioner or South East Regional Mental Health
Department.
Following on from these information sessions it became apparent that there needed to be
an educational and awareness seminar for the General Practioner. The professional in this
field Professor Malcolm Battersby from Flinders Medical Centre for Anxiety & Related
Disorders (CARD) along with Helen Williams founder of ADASE were instrumental in
organising this seminar for doctors to improve their education on Anxiety Disorders &
Depression.
From this education seminar The South East Division of General Practice (now know as
The Limestone Division of General Practice) were able to gain government funding to
continue the education of doctors, hence the Project South East Anxiety Disorders
(PROSEAD) was implemented. Unfortunately this project is no longer active as the
participants have now left the South East Region.
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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
IMMEDIATE FUTURE
ADASE is very much aware that whilst the service it has been providing has addressed a
need, there is also a growing need to provide a self sustaining anxiety disorders group
within the community. Whilst the services provided by Mr. Tomlian were excellent he is
not able to support an individual’s recovery due to his being located in Adelaide.
Unfortunately the South East region does not have a resident Psychiatrist.
In view of this fact and the costs incurred by transporting Mr. Tomlian to the region
ADASE has decided to attempt to expand it’s service into becoming an organisation that
can provide a range of programs to clients diagnosed with high prevalence disorders such
as anxiety and depression.
The launch of A Great Step Forward the Basic Program was held on 29th
February 2007. The program was presented Service Providers of many organisations
to allow insight into client’s diverse and possibly complex needs.
From here ADASE has offered they to be contracted to these various organisations to run
the A Great Step Forward Program.
• BASIC PROGRAM AS PART 1, followed by
• MIND OVER MOOD PROGRAM PART 2 is an 11week program which is
followed by a 3&6 month Follow up session total being 14 weeks.
Following on from these program clients will have the opportunity of linking with their
health professional for further referral. For clients from residing in smaller rural
communities and who have internet access will then have the opportunity to link in with
St Vincent’s Hospital (CRUFAD clinic) for a CBT course on Anxiety disorders which
now includes OCD treatment as well if required.
On an individual level ADASE has formed links with Dr Malcolm Battersby at Flinders
University to provide education to Doctors in the region and support our organisation.
Psychologist Robert Tomlian and Psychiatrist Dr Harry Hustig have offered to see clients
of ADASE in Adelaide and Bulk bill for services as we do not at this present time have
resident psychiatrist in the region.
Whilst ADASE is clearly in its early stages of service delivery we have made some
amazing gains by being able to access Professional Indemnity Insurance by a donation
made by a member of the Mount Gambier Community, and further ongoing assistance
from the Mt Gambier City Council and District Council of Grant.
The enthusiasm and support from organisations and individuals has been nothing short of
amazing.
RECOGNITION
A Great Step Forward program has been recognised since July 2008 by Professor
Malcolm Battersby from Flinders Medical Centre for Anxiety & Related Disorders
(CARD), Southern Adelaide Health Service which reads:
We recognise the quality of the programs you provide for anxiety disorders and
depression as being evidence based and complying with international standards in
delivery of guided self-help. This agreement remains valid for a further two years until
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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
July 31st 2012 at which time we will review the services you provide. We will offer
support in terms of materials and advise to assist you to provide your programs.
We would like to congratulate your team of volunteers for the excellent programs and
advocacy you have provided to the people of South east of South Australia and South
Western Victoria over many years.
MAJOR SPONSORSHIP:
WIN Television have been a major sponsor since 2008 when their Sales Manager
described ADASE as “ a voice in the wilderness, against all odds” Win Television were
instrumental in the development of the ADASE television adverts which are aired twelve
months of the year free of charge as a community service advertisement, raising
awareness and education to the general community. These adverts have undoubtedly
helped to break down the stigma associated with mental health enabling the community to
reach out for assistance.
PROGRAMS
On July 18th 2007 ADASE delivered the first consumer focused A Great Step Forward
program in conjunction with South East Regional Mental Health Service this program
was delivered by ADASE Helen Williams, consumer/facilitator assisted by Daniel
Wakefield senior social worker who in turn would gain knowledge from the group.
Unfortunately the South East Regional Mental Health Service has withdrawn this
support due to time off incurred by the way of toil for the social worker, which then had a
direct effect on the remaining staff at mental health.
• A Great Step Forward Basic Program part 1).
This program has been developed by Helen Williams from a consumer prospective and is
a 3 hour program aimed at educating and creating awareness of the individual around
issues of anxiety and depression. It outlines some management skills using imagery and
self help tools to assist in lessening the impact of Mental Illness.
• A Great Step Forward part 2: Mind Over Mood is an 11 week program,
followed by 3&6 month Follow up session sessions, totaling 14 weeks.
This program has been developed by Helen Williams from a consumer prospective using
the manual Mind Over Mood. This program is provided by a recovered consumer with
lived experience who has the following qualifications:
Certificate 1V in Training & Assessment
Diploma in Community Services Mental Health.
The trained facilitator is assisted by a Peer Support worker with a lived experience.
The program is recovery based and orientated, providing the client
with information around:-
• Understanding of thoughts, moods, and feelings.
• Provision of skills to enable the client to see how these thoughts interact and
impact into their own life.
• Cognitive Therapy around dealing with thoughts.
We understand the complexity of high prevalence disorders and especially the difficulties
which face consumers accessing services. This is also exacerbated by the difficulties 3
Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
faced by consumers residing in a country area. By providing A Great Step Forward
Program has since July 2007-June 2011 assisted over 140 consumers who have
completed ADASE A Great Step Forward Program. This program has provided a
smooth journey for each consumer who participated whilst at the same time has also
assisted in consumer advocacy.
Friends For Life Program designed for pre-school, primary and secondary aged
children, this program was launched in July 2009 as a complementary program to a year
4 level at a private school in Mt Gambier. This program was well received by parent’s
students and teachers. Proceeds were kindly donated from the Police Credit Union
Easter raffle to support ADASE with the launch of the Friends For Life program in
raising awareness of anxiety disorders in school aged children.
In July 2010 Disabilities SA contracted ADASE to facilitate the Fiends for Life program
as a modified pilot program for children with Autism.This program was facilitated by
ADASE Trained Facilitator Kylie Hann assisted by Rita Zaccardo Social worker from
Disabilities SA.
ADASE Huggy Bear made a special appearance at the children’s party celebrating the
children’s achievements on completing the 10 week modified Fiends for Life program.
This program was extremely welcomed by parents as well as all who participated.
WHO WE ARE
ADASE is a small voluntary committee consisting of several recovered consumers, one
Social Worker, a qualified facilitator /consumer with Certificate 1V in Training and
Assessment and a Diploma in Community Services (Mental Health).
ADASE Patron is Mr Stan Thompson from 5 SE Radio.
PEER SUPPORT
ADASE is able to offer Peer Support to clients who would like to work on a more
individual level if funding was available. We have trained Peer Support Workers with
lived experience of, Panic Disorder, Social phobia, specific phobia, generalised anxiety
disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression.
FORWARD
Whilst the founder of ADASE has always recognised the need for a support service there
is also an increasing recognition that people with High Prevalence disorders require easy
access to a range of services and as such this is not currently provided by our Community
Health Service in the region.
FUNDING
In July 2009 ADASE requested funding assistance from Country Health SA-Mental
Health Services of $4500.00 for facilitation costs for two programs with three hour
sessions in each run over a period of fourteen weeks, such a small request for such a great
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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
program. ADASE at that time had forty consumers waiting to participate in our A Great
Step Forward Mind Over Mood program, this program has a limit of ten consumers in
each program.
Unfortunately in November 2009 ADASE received a letter from Country Health SAMental
Health Services outlining a phone discussion on 25th August 2009 regarding the
risks associated by Country Health SA-Mental Health Services providing funding to a
program that is not facilitated by an accredited provider stating that the risks are too
great, so funding was denied.
Following on from this letter Helen Williams the foundation member has now completed
her Certificate 1V in Training and Assessment as well as a Diploma in Community
Services (Mental Health) Unfortunately funding has yet once again been denied due to
absence of a funding stream for a program such as A Great Step Forward.
A Great Step Forward Mind Over Mood program fits within five Core Units of
Diploma of Community Services (Mental Health) and is also a well structured program
by using the manual Mind Over Mood manual. So to achieve this standard of
Accreditation status will be a huge obstacle to challenge and much more expensive.
However accreditation is now being investigated and will be completed in 2011
It is imperative that as an organisation we look towards all funding opportunities, as the
impact of these disorders affect every level of society. Whilst we are a small voluntary
organisation at present we would look forward into growing into a service provider that is
sustainable and able to meet the needs of individuals across the South East Region.
LIMESTONE COAST DIVISION GENERAL PRACTICE
In 2010 Helen Williams met with the CEO to discuss funding to assist with the
presentation of A Great Step Forward program due to increasing referrals from the
General Practioners who had heard about the positive results that this program was
achieving. The General Practioners are obviously comfortable to inform other clients of
the programs availability. ADASE was also witnessing a surge from service providers
accessing the ADASE A Great Step Forward program, it desperately needed funding to
support these referrals.
The CEO Limestone Coast division general practice informed her that their would be no
funding available for a program like A Great Step Forward because it did not fit the
Clinical Profile.
LINKS AND PARTNERSHIPS
ADASE is affiliated with:
• Centre for Anxiety Related Disorders (CARD) Professor Malcolm Battersby at
Sothern Mental Health Services Adelaide.
ADASE has strong links with:
• Flinders University Rural Clinical School of Medicine, Professor Lucie Walters
• Beyond Blue have ADASE linked as a service provider, this is directly linked
from their web site to ADASE web site to assist people in the South east area
affected by anxiety and depression.
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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
ADASE is looking to form links and partnerships to:-
• Assist in training
• Develop Further Programs
• Gain Funding for future service provision
• Assist smooth consumer journey across service continuum
• Provide most cost effective and efficicient service provision
• Assist in linking all facets of service provision i.e. General Practice, Non
Government and Government Organisations.
GAINS TO FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES
We are aware that mental illness can impact on all facets of an individual’s life. By
assisting consumers with anxiety disorders we hope to optimise the consumers recovery
journey and enable use of community services to be as cost efficient and effective as
possible .In providing support to the individual to properly access services such as:-
• Legal Services
• Carers/Family
• Centrelink services
• Education Services etc.
We hope to provide a smoother pathway for client recovery. This will enable a greater
level of resilience and assist the individual to maintain a better sense of wellbeing. We
aim to provide education and information to improve self – esteem and healthy lifestyles
which will in turn, lessen the impact on families and service providers.
High prevalence mental health disorders tend to be maintained in a “revolving door”
approach. By providing a service specifically tailored to anxiety disorders we hope to
interrupt this cycle and lessen the total burden of the illness.
Partnerships with Service Providers:
• Centre for Anxiety Related Disorders (CARD) Professor Malcolm Battersby at
Sothern Mental Health Services
• Beyond Blue
• Lifeline,
• Centrelink
• South East Regional Community Health Service
• Professor Lucie Walters (Flinders University Rural Clinical School of Medicine)
• Professor Gavin Andrews,(CRUFAD) St Vincent’s Hospital NSW
• Dr Nick Titov Senior Research Developer School of Psychiatry NSW
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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
• Limestone Coast Division General Practice.
• Robert Tomlian Psychologist
• Court Magistrate
• Keith Smith Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
• Dr Harry Hustig
• Professor Paula Barrett Griffith University (Pathways Trust Friends For Life
Program).
• Liz Moriarty & Associates
• SA Works
• Mt Gambier City Council
• District Council of Grant.
• Win TV.
• Mc Phee Andrew Arthur & Associates
• South East Drug & Alcohol Service
• South East Domestic Violence Service
• Employment access
• Interwork
• Job Find,
• TAFE,
• Uniting Care Wesley
• Anglican Community Care
• Commonwealth Rehabilitation Services etc
• Job Solutions.
• Campbell Page & Associates.
• Mind
• MIFSA
• Mt Gambier High School
• S.A.Works
. FUTURE
ADASE hopes in the future to:-
• Gain on going funding to deliver A Great Step Forward Program because
when the program was launched it was stated that ADASE could be contracted
to present the program, but instead the Service Providers refer to ADASE and
ADASE then needs to find the funding.
• Develop a direct referral system to A Great Step Forward Mind Over Mood
program that will enhance the consumers recovery process so that the
consumer can work more effectively with their health professional, which in
turn enhances their recovery, thus eliminate the revolving door that consumers
experience.
• Develop Programs specifically tailored at carers.
• Assist all consumers to develop an appropriate care plan and relapse prevention
plan.
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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
• Develop evidence based evaluation of our services.
If successful in achieving these goals we would then look to broadening service provision
to include the wider South East Region.
Australia Day Citizen of the Year award for 2009 was presented to the Founder of
ADASE Mrs Helen Williams on Australia Day 26th January 2009 for her dedication and
commitment in raising awareness and assisting the community of the Limestone Coast
area who have been affected by anxiety disorders and depression.
In 2010 Helen Williams also achieved Certificate 1V in Training & Assessment
In 2011 Helen Williams also achieved a Diploma in Community Services Mental
Health, to continue her commitment to deliver a skills based program that improves a persons
life, relationships, and builds a stronger community.
South Australian Mental Health Sharing Excellence 2009
On June 17th ADASE was chosen to present at this high profile conference to show case
what ADASE has been able to achieve with the development of A Great Step Forward
program. ADASE has been identified as leading the way in mental health with this
unique program and the amazing results from the 97 participants that have completed this
unique program.
Social Inclusion Report Recommendations.
According to the ABS ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Profile of Adults South Australia
1997’, 17.3% of the total population suffer from a mental health condition. Of this figure,
9.9% suffer from an anxiety disorder. Applying these proportions to the South East
population, it could be surmised that, approximately 11,000 people suffer from a mental
health issue, 6,300 with an anxiety disorder.
1. People with a mental illness who are consumers of the states mental health services
should participate at all levels of the system. This will require innovative ways of
ensuring their meaningful involvement in planning, organising and evaluating services.
2. The carers and families of consumers must be seen as partners in the care process.
They should be included in care planning processes, with the agreement of the consumer,
and receive timely and appropriate information and support.
6. The South Australian Mental Health System should adopt a recovery orientation
that is focussed on helping people dealing with a mental illness to live a satisfying,
hopeful and contributing life.
7. The principles of recovery should be translated into the organisational cultural norms
and behaviours that must apply across the system.
12. In designing and implementing the reforms of community health services, it is
essential that the department of Health pay particular attention to the unique
circumstances of country South Australia. This should be defined in the catchment area
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Founded in June 1995 by Mrs Helen Williams.
and in tithe functioning of the clinical networking, as well as in the community teams
themselves and the Rural and Remote Mental Health Service.
13. South Australia should invest in facility and non-facility based intermediate care as an
integral part of a stepped system of care.
14. Intermediate care should provide holistic nurse-led care. It should be planned,
managed and evaluated on the basis of increasing responsiveness and choice for
consumers, reducing the state’s reliance on acute and emergency or unplanned
admissions and, in collaboration with community mental health services, effective
management of the pathways between hospital and home.
19. South Australia should continue to build the capacity in the non- government sector to
deliver psychosocial rehabilitation and support services. The development should be
framed within a partnership approach that builds on a system that will have a community
mental health its centre.
20. South Australia should reassess its current investment in services provided by nongovernment
organisations, based on evidence from the evaluation that is due for
completion in early 2007. A new and more rigorous contracting process that builds on the
concepts of the stepped system is warranted. Rehabilitation and support services should
be focussed on helping people to step down from formal care to maintaining ordinary
associations in society that support a meaningful life.
23. The Department of Health should negotiate private practice rights for psychologists to
enhance their career development and support and recruitment and retention. Other allied
health professionals should be encouraged to negotiate similar private practice rights.
24. The Department of Health should establish a job redesign strategy for the mental
health system across the continuum of activity from incremental change in existing roles,
to designing new jobs that support a mental health system that puts people first and is
recovery oriented.
41. In planning for the implementation of the Board’s recommendations, the Department
of Health must ensure that consumers, carers and families have meaningful input at all
levels.
Kind Regards,
Helen Williams
……………………..
C.E.O.
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