Month: August 2020

At DPV Health, our vision is to build a community that is connected, celebrates diversity and is inclusive of all. This means that no one should have to experience social isolation during the COVID 19 restrictions or any time.

Studies show that social connection improves physical health and psychological well-being. Strong social connection helps strengthen our immune system, helps us recover from disease faster, and may even lengthen our life. People who feel more connected to others have lower rates of anxiety and depression, have higher self-esteem, are more empathic to others, more trusting and cooperative.

The current COVID-19 restrictions have limited our movements within the community and physical interaction with friends and family, but there are many other ways to keep in touch with friends and family. Thanks to the digitally enhanced world we live in, staying connected is easier than you might think.

Tips on staying socially connected:

•  Virtual catch-ups

Schedule virtual catch-ups with loved ones. You can use a computer or phone. If you don’t have a device that has a camera, you can do an audio call or phone call with multiple people.

• Write letters and postcards

When was the last time you picked up a pen and paper and wrote a message to someone? Write to someone close to you, write to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, or pop a postcard in the neighbour’s letterbox. Receiving mail is a rare treat these days, and you never know, they just might write back.

• Get creative

Host an online concert, organise online trivia nights or run family competitions. You can challenge your friends and share results of your creative work online.

• Start a virtual book club

For the bookworms out there, now is the perfect chance to catch up on those new releases and keep your mind active while remaining connected. Share your thoughts and feelings about the book with some friends by starting a virtual book club.

• Join online peer-support groups

You’re not alone during this time. There are plenty of free, online forums and peer-support community groups designed to help you through difficult times.

Whether you just want to chat or are seeking help for mental health guidance, these anonymous and moderated forums are perfect for staying connected.

• Social media

While too much social media isn’t always great for your mental wellbeing, a little bit can go a long way. Checking in with others, sharing a nice photo or finding a funny video are all possible through social media platforms.

• Netflix Parties

This is a fun way to watch Netflix shows and movies with your friends. It is available only through the Chrome browser, but it is free. There is a chat window where group members can comment and chat during the show.

• Houseparty

A video group chat app for smart phones. In addition to chatting face-to-face, you can play interactive games, including Quick Draw, which is like Pictionary. There are also screen sharing capabilities. Best of all, it’s free. https://houseparty.com/

• Community support

You can do a good deed and support your neighbours. Online neighbourhood groups may be available. If not, this is the perfect opportunity to start one.

Here are some online community groups and applications that you may like to check out:

• Imagine More Peer Support Group
• Women With Disabilities Australia Community
• Mums Plugged-In: Virtual Mothers Group
• Oscar Senior App for the Elderly
• The Kids Messaging App

If you are feeling lonely or need support to manage your mental health, contact –

• DPV Health (Counselling, Social work & Psychology team): 1300 234 263 for an appointment (8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday). Telephone counselling is available.
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Headspace: 1800 650 890
• Lifeline: (24-hour Crisis Line): 131 114
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Uniting Kildon: 1800 002 992
• Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277

There’s No Excuse for Abuse

The past few weeks, and even months, have been tough for all of us, as we struggle to grasp with these unprecedented times of uncertainly and concerns for our collective health. The Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a significant rise in levels of uncertainty, stress, social isolation and financial pressures, but none of this can be used as an excuse for abuse of any kind.

People are spending more time at home to comply with current restrictions and to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Home can however be an unsafe place for someone who is living with an abusive partner, spouse or parent.

Violence against women is much more than just physical violence, yet overall, Australians are less likely to recognise these non-physical forms. Non-physical abuse can take many forms and can be just as damaging as physical abuse –

• Financial – controlling how a partner spends their money
• Social – deciding who someone can and cannot talk to or spend time with.
• Emotional – verbal put–downs and derogatory remarks aimed at a partner.
• Spiritual – disrespecting a partner’s religion or not letting them to practice their religion.
• Technological – using technology like a phone to control, embarrass, or demean a partner.
• Stalking – harassing someone with unwanted contact.

Watch the powerful “No Excuse for Abuse” campaign to learn more.

https://noexcuseforabuse.org.au/No-Excuse/Home

 

Speak Up, and Speak Loud

If you are in danger or feel unsafe in your home, there are people and support services to help you.

During COVID -19, support is still available and you can leave your home at any time to get it.

Family and domestic violence support services:

• The Orange Door: 1800 319 355 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
• Safe Steps: 1800 015 188 (after hours service, 24 hours a day 7 days a week)
• Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
• Djirra: 1800 105 303 (Aboriginal women’s service)
• Switchboard Victoria: 1800 184 527 (Support for LGBTQI+ people)
• 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
• Safe Steps Crisis Line (Vic): 1800 015 188
• Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 131 114
• Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277

Homelessness Week is the annual awareness-raising week to highlight the 116,000 Australians who are homeless on any given night.

This year the theme for Homelessness Week is “Everybody Needs a Home”.

Housing is indicated as a basic need in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and it is recognized by the UN as a basic right. There has been lack of spending by State and Federal Governments in the last 20 years in social housing.

The Homelessness Team at DPV Health, Epping provide case management to people who are homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The team work tirelessly to advocate on behalf of their clients for more housing and improved access to housing.

Homelessness week is one of two occasions that we are able to highlight the need for more housing to the general public. We are always advocating in behind the scenes.  Now more than ever, during the COVID 19 pandemic we are seeing greater awareness of the housing crisis and the current situation.

The last Census showed that nearly 25,000 Victorians are without a home, that many Victorians are living in severely overcrowded situations and that nearly 20% of all Victorians are living in housing stress, creating insecurity in their housing situation.

Northern Suburbs Statistics

The latest census stats identified a 16% increase in homelessness in Melbourne’s North.

 

 

Source: Northern Homelessness Network

The impact of being without a home is devastating. Those experiencing homelessness have said that homelessness is:  traumatic, destabilising, distressing, and harmful to their physical and mental health. It also makes it harder for them to care for children, find employment, and makes it impossible to plan a future.

The most difficult aspects of experiencing homelessness as described by a single mother:

“This has just affected my ability to be in the present moment with my children. Feelings of worry and anxiety about where we will live. Feeling outside of the rest of the world who have secure housing. Not being able to give my child things because I can’t afford to.”

What can you do?

• Sign the ‘’Every Victorian Should Have a Home’’ petition
• Share this email and talk to your friends, family and colleagues about the housing crisis in Victoria
• Learn more about homelessness on our website, by watching Filthy Rich and Homeless or You Can’t Ask That or if you have kids, Sesame Street
• Share the ‘Homeless Truths’ below on social media
• Ring, email or write to your local Members of Parliament to tell them that Every Victorian Should Have a Home. See our website for MP contact information. See our ‘asks’ below. A quick phonecall or a short email to let your local Members of Parliament know that you are concerned about homelessness in your area is powerful. You can ask that they priortise fixing Victoria’s housing crisis.
• Join the national Everybody’s Home campaign https://everybodyshome.com.au/

 ‘To work alongside someone for a period of time and work with them to make changes in their lives and see them be stagnated until they are able to access either Private Rental to Transitional Housing is an immense privilege. Our clients place an enormous amount of trust in DPV staff and the Homelessness Sector. This is often done at a time they are most vulnerable and often being rejected by other services as they don’t fit their criteria. As case Managers we are given an amazing opportunity to walk alongside the families we support and witness the change in their lives. ‘

– Marilla (DPV Health – Case Manager)

For more information visit: https://everyvictorianshouldhaveahome.com.au/

Time to take a closer look at your supermarket purchases. They’re not as healthy as you might think.

Being healthy is something that most of us aim for. We brush our teeth twice a day. We go for a jog around the neighbourhood. We eat a handful of nuts instead of chomping on a chocolate. We see our doctor whenever we feel unwell.

But are you aware that all your good work could be easily undone by the alrming amount of sugar lurking within many of the processed food items you consume?

Sugar is everywhere in processed foods found on supermarket shelves, even some that might appear to be healthy on the surface or marketed to us as being healthy.

This Dental Health Week (3 – 9 August)  we’re pulling back the sugary curtain to show you what’s really in the food you eat, and how this information can help you be healthier all over but especially in your mouth.

In other words, we want you to become more “sugar savvy”.

Dental Health Week is an annual event run by the Australian Dental Association which aims to make everyone aware of the key things they need to do to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Hiding in plain sight

You might think that a little extra sugar here and there isn’t such a big deal, but it’s likely that you are taking in far more than you realise. Figures show that the average Australian is consuming 14 teaspoons of sugar a day, a whole lot more than the maximum six teaspoons a day recommended by the World Health Organisation for increased health benefits such as decreasing the risk of tooth decay and other chronic diseases, like heart disease or diabetes.

For Dental Health Week, we want to show you how easy it is to keep your teeth and gums healthy by following a few simple tips.  Take a look at this short video:

What causes tooth decay?

Protecting teeth against tooth decay is a balancing act

• Certain mouth bacteria that live on the surface of teeth consume the sugar we eat and turn it into acid.
• The acid sits on the surface of the teeth and pulls minerals out from the tooth’s surface causing it to weaken.
• This process happens every time we eat or drink.
• If these acid attacks occur over and over again and there is not enough protection provided to the teeth, this can result in tooth decay.

That is why we should limit our sugar intake.

How to protect your teeth:

• Brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Consume no more than 6 teaspoons / 24 grams of added sugars per day.
• Clean between your teeth once per day.
• See the following leaflet for more information:

Hidden sugars in everyday foods can cause your sugar consumption to add up quickly…

Did you know that a glass of juice and bowl of cereal for breakfast can equal 6 or more teaspoons of sugar? To find out how much sugar is in a food package, we need to be able to read the nutrition label. Look at the value for sugar per 100 grams. If the number is greater than 15 grams, consider finding a similar article with a lower sugar content. Ideally look for foods and drinks with less than 5 grams per 100 grams of sugar, but less than 10 grams is acceptable.

By making some small changes we can really reduce our sugar intake:

Easy Sugar Swaps For Breakfast

• Swap sugary cereals for Weet-Bix or Vita Brits and sweeten with fresh fruit.
• Swap flavoured yoghurts for Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit.
• Cook up a frittata or some mini frittatas for breakfast to grab and go.
• Have some hard boiled eggs on hand in the fridge – mash with mayonnaise and spread on toast.
• Swap jam and Nutella for cream cheese, Vegemite, nut butters, avocado or mashed banana.
• Fry leftover veggies and serve with a fried or scrambled egg.
• Try Vegemite with cream cheese or Vegemite with avocado on toast.
• Cooked breakfasts don’t need to take long – scrambled eggs can be made in the time it takes your bread to toast and will keep you feeling full.

Easy Sugar Swaps For Lunch

• Swap jam and nutella sandwich fillings with vegemite.
• Use protein for sandwich fillings like ham, chicken, cheese, tuna or peanut butter to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
• Pack hard boiled eggs for a filling side dish or add it to a salad.
• Try cheese sticks, carrot sticks and nuts as quick and easy sides.
• Fill a small bottle with water and freeze to serve the dual purpose of keeping the lunch cool and providing the ideal drink.
• Try sliced cheese and apple sandwiches for a healthy option with some natural sweetness.
• Swap store bought salad dressings with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.
• Swap a juice box with a piece of fruit and water.

Easy Sugar Swaps For Dinner

• Cut back on tomato sauce portions or if your kids can’t help themselves, swap it with a tomato sauce which has less added sugar.
• Beware of BBQ sauces – they’re packed with sugar.
• Try expanding your condiments to include non-sugary options like mustard.
• Swap sugary salad dressings for olive oil with lemon, mustard and/or vinegar.
• Sugary stir fry sauces include lemon chicken, teriyaki, BBQ, sweet and sour, and honey soy.
• Try homemade stir fry sauces using soy, garlic and ginger which is naturally sweet.
• Check tinned vegetables for added sugar.
• Learn how to read labels and check anything that comes in a package – we’ve spotted added sugar in tinned fish, bread, baked beans, olives, tinned vegetables and “healthy” frozen meals.

Easy Sugary Drink Swaps

• Remove sugary drinks from your house to avoid temptation.
• Swap juice with a piece of fruit and water.
• Sports drinks are unnecessary for all ages. Swap sports drinks with sliced fruit and water.
• Avoid store bought smoothies – instead, blend a banana or berries with some milk and cinnamon.
• Take a drink bottle with you whenever you leave the house.
• Remember you can often buy a single serve drink carton of plain milk at convenience stores.

Source: www.sugarbyhalf.com

Healthy Eating

The Australian Dietary Guidelines advise us to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups every day and to drink plenty of water. We should limit sometimes foods, which are those foods with little or no nutritional value and are often high in sugar and salt. More information can be found here.

Useful Resources:

• Reading food labels – Download Fact Sheet 
• Have you ever wondered how much sugar and energy you consume from drinks? Enter your details to find out – Download Sugar Calculator
• Find our sugar and it’s effects – Download Fact Sheet 
• Download a fun teeth brushing chart for kids – Download Chart

For emergency dental care call DPV Health on 1300 234 263.

DPV Health Dental Locations:

Broadmeadows: 42-48 Coleraine St, Broadmeadows VIC 3047

Epping: 187 Cooper St, Epping VIC 3076

Whittlesea: 40-42 Walnut St, Whittlesea VIC 3757

Craigieburn: 55 Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn VIC 3064 (Temporarily Closed)