By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Victorian-first program to help people kick their cigarette habit is being held at a Narre Warren community mental health centre.
EACH area manager Lisa Gort said it’s the first time a Quit Victoria trial will look at ways to help people with a mental illness.
The two-year trial targets some of the state’s highest-smoking cohorts, including people with mental health issues, who are bucking the overall declining smoking rate.
At EACH, about 80 per cent of their clients smoke.
“They’ve realised their approach has to be different for people with a mental illness,” Ms Gort said.
“There’s a large number of people with mental health issues who smoke. There’s a large cohort to assist.”
At the start of the trial three months ago, many clients and staff were horrified by the suggestion.
“It’s a change. No-one likes change,” Ms Gort said.
One of EACH’s clients, Anthony, is now the face for Quit Victoria’s latest push.
In a promotional video, he describes how good he feels after beating his 30-year addiction to cigarettes.
“I’d smoke up to 25 a day. That would increase with my anxiety.
“When I was suffering badly with anxiety, I’d smoke pretty much one after the other.”
In psych wards, despite a no-smoking edict, people were allowed to get away with smoking.
“They turned a blind eye because smoking and mental health go hand in hand together. But it’s not helping.”
Anthony quit in April 2016 after an uncle warned that smoking would kill him. People tended to give it up only on their deathbed, he was told.
“Financially, it’s put a whole lot of money in my pocket.
“I’ve got more weight on, but I’ve got more capacity in my lungs. I feel healthier.”
His EACH support worker provided crucial, regular encouragement. She was one of many supports available for smokers wanting to quit, he said.
“You have to build your willpower to want to stop. Get as much help and advice as you can.
“It’s going to do you good. It will allow your medication to work a lot better.”
Ms Gort said EACH support workers could take on the role of a quit-smoking “coach” if a client decides to make the first step.
Over the trial, workers review with the clients how much they’re smoking a day, how much it has cost the hip-pocket as well as their satisfaction levels.
“Any reduction is a change in the right direction. We say we don’t expect you to give up smokes today.
“There’s not one strategy that fits everyone.”
Help includes nicotine replacement products under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – with a doctor’s referral, the Quit hotline and Quit’s online resources.
The pilot concludes in December 2018.
