Treatment to 'change trajectories of men's lives'

A new service aims to change the lives of men suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by identifying and treating the underlying causes of their mental health problems.

Ramsay Clinic Macarthur in Sydney's South West has launched the three-week inpatient program to meet the rising need for specialist mental health care.

It is modelled on Ramsay Health Care's female-only, trauma-informed Thirroul Clinic in Wollongong.

"The program goes further than simply treating the symptoms of trauma, like depression or anxiety, it works with patients to identify and treat the underlying cause," Ramsay Clinic Macarthur psychiatrist and medical superintendent Dr Angelo Virgona said. 

"The program is available to those who have experienced all forms of trauma, including childhood trauma, veterans with PTSD, refugees, first responders, domestic violence survivors and car-crash victims."

More than 62 percent of Australians over the age of 16 have experienced childhood trauma, according to the Australian Child Maltreatment Study, published in April 2023.

It highlighted the linkbetween trauma and risk behaviours, such as drinking, drug use, self-harmand suicide attempts.

"Programs like those we offerat Thirroul and now here at Macarthurhave the capacity to change the trajectories of people's lives,"Dr Virgona said.

"We understand that mental health, and mental health challenges, look different for everyone.Patients with PTSD are best treated by trauma-informed specialists using evidence-based treatment options," he added.

"Prevention is beyond the scope of healthcare workers, other than being able to intervene early enough to prevent inter-generational trauma."

Ramsay Clinic Macarthur, a 48-bed facility based in Campbelltown, is offeringthe support of trauma-informed medical, allied health and nursing staffin its psychiatrist-led, male-only program.

It features holistic, evidence-based psychiatric treatment, as well as experiential methods such as art therapy,pet therapy,mindfulness andyoga.

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