For as long as she can remember, Kiara Fernando has wanted to work in the mental health field.
“It’s always been mental health,” she says.
Moving from Qatar to Australia in 2019, Kiara immersed herself in studies pertinent to the mental health field. Currently studying for her Masters in Social Work at Monash University, Kiara has joined Monash Health for her first 3-month placement to apply her hard-earned knowledge, and gain valuable experience with our Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) team.
During her project-based placement, Kiara has been actively involved in a clinical audit assessing how we respond to family violence. Results from this audit will assist with addressing gaps in practice, for example, a patient discloses family violence and there is no follow-up (e.g. safety plan or referral to a family violence service offered). The audit aims to strengthen processes and education to better support people affected by family violence. Working with the SHRFV team, Kiara is also getting first-hand exposure to the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of information-sharing requests since reforms were introduced,” she says.
When a request is received, Kiara discusses them with the SHRFV team giving her a greater understanding of what types of information can be shared and the benefits this can have on reducing family violence and keeping people safe.
To complement her hands-on experience, Kiara is also attending a lot of forums, and hears from organisations who Monash Health collaborate with such as The Orange Door, In Touch and VACCA, which all work to support the wellbeing of those affected by family violence.
Kiara is learning how all Monash Health clinicians can support patients who have experienced historical or current family violence. Patients can be referred to specialised support depending on their needs, such as SECASA. Patients may complete a safety plan with a clinician, a process that helps plan for a future crisis.
Kiara says family violence support is also available to Monash Health employees, including family violence leave and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The Manager’s guide to supporting our employees impacted by family violence also offers a list of resources available.
Kiara is learning the different ways Monash Health can screen for family violence as patients go through various areas of care, and refer patients to specialised support depending on their needs.
“If you are a victim survivor of family violence, a hospital is one of the safest places you can go, and one of the safest places to have family violence addressed.”
Approved by Adjunct Associate Professor Naomi Dobroff, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer and General Manager EMR and Informatics Program