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Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS) | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai

Public Service, Psychiatry, Community, Mental Health

Today

8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Description

The Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS) is a clinical team within Te Toka Tumai community mental health service. It provides assertive treatment and support to service users with psychotic and mood disorders who have a pattern of problematic engagement with services and/or treatment recommendations and a history of high risk during periods of relapse.

ACOS operates as a full multi-disciplinary team, supported by a clinical team leader. It provides this service 7 days a week, from 8am to 4:30pm.

Referral Expectations

Service users who require our support will usually be referred by other parts of the community mental health service. If you are referring a service user to a new community mental health centre, you should do this via that centre’s referral system.

Regional Forensic Services can refer to ACOS via ACOSreferrals@adhb.govt.nz.

Core Regional forms: Regional History Document / Collaborative Care Plan and other assessments should be up-to-date, reflecting history, current situation, risk history and formulation.

Hours

8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mon – Sun 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Public Holidays: Open on all public holidays.
Christmas: Open 23 Dec — 10 Jan.

Common Conditions

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about 1% of the general population. It is a complex illness characterised by ‘psychosis’, a word used to describe disorder of thoughts (e.g. delusions - false beliefs held in spite of evidence that they are not real), perceptions (e.g. hallucinations - seeing, hearing or feeling things which are not there), disorganised speech and grossly disorganised behaviour, which are not experienced by others and which are not seen as abnormal by the sufferer. These four symptoms are often referred to as the ‘Positive Symptoms’ of schizophrenia because they are the result of the disease process. The fifth group of symptoms: withdrawal, decreased ability to feel pleasure, lack of energy, and flat affect, are referred to as ‘Negative Symptoms’ because they represent a loss of normal functions. Schizophrenia affects different people in different ways. Some people may experience only a few short episodes and then fully recover. For others it lasts throughout their lives and needs to be treated like any other physical illness such as asthma or diabetes. It is important that schizophrenia is treated as soon as it is diagnosed by a psychiatrist to prevent long-term disability and loss of function. Treatment Schizophrenia may be treated using a number of different approaches: Use of antipsychotic medication Psychosocial education programs e.g. education, support, counselling and assistance to return to job/studies/performing daily tasks Ongoing support e.g. housing, monitoring of treatment, support groups.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about 1% of the general population. It is a complex illness characterised by ‘psychosis’, a word used to describe disorder of thoughts (e.g. delusions - false beliefs held in spite of evidence that they are not real), perceptions (e.g. hallucinations - seeing, hearing or feeling things which are not there), disorganised speech and grossly disorganised behaviour, which are not experienced by others and which are not seen as abnormal by the sufferer. These four symptoms are often referred to as the ‘Positive Symptoms’ of schizophrenia because they are the result of the disease process.
 
The fifth group of symptoms: withdrawal, decreased ability to feel pleasure, lack of energy, and flat affect, are referred to as ‘Negative Symptoms’ because they represent a loss of normal functions.
 
Schizophrenia affects different people in different ways. Some people may experience only a few short episodes and then fully recover.  For others it lasts throughout their lives and needs to be treated like any other physical illness such as asthma or diabetes.
 
It is important that schizophrenia is treated as soon as it is diagnosed by a psychiatrist to prevent long-term disability and loss of function.
 
Treatment
Schizophrenia may be treated using a number of different approaches:
  • Use of antipsychotic medication
  • Psychosocial education programs e.g. education, support, counselling and assistance to return to job/studies/performing daily tasks
  • Ongoing support e.g. housing, monitoring of treatment, support groups.
Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression

This is a mood disorder in which both depressive (persistent low mood) and manic (elevated or high mood) episodes are experienced. It is usually a recurring (i.e. keeps coming back) disorder that can cause a lot of havoc in all aspects of a person’s life. People with this disorder will experience periods of extreme mood changes but also periods of stable mood during which they may be able to return to everyday routines. These changes of mood can be very extreme and occur for no apparent reason. Different people will experience this disorder in different ways; some may have few episodes, others many, and symptoms may vary from mild to severe. When severely depressed or elevated, a person can become ‘psychotic’ i.e. lose touch with reality. Treatment Usually by medication (antidepressants if depressed and mood stabilisers if depressed and manic) A combination of counselling and psychotherapy (‘talking therapy’) may hasten recovery Hospitalisation may be required for those who are very unwell and are posing a risk to themselves or to others.

This is a mood disorder in which both depressive (persistent low mood) and manic (elevated or high mood) episodes are experienced. It is usually a recurring (i.e. keeps coming back) disorder that can cause a lot of havoc in all aspects of a person’s life. People with this disorder will experience periods of extreme mood changes but also periods of stable mood during which they may be able to return to everyday routines.
 
These changes of mood can be very extreme and occur for no apparent reason. Different people will experience this disorder in different ways; some may have few episodes, others many, and symptoms may vary from mild to severe. When severely depressed or elevated, a person can become ‘psychotic’ i.e. lose touch with reality.
 
Treatment
  • Usually by medication (antidepressants if depressed and mood stabilisers if depressed and manic)
  • A combination of counselling and psychotherapy (‘talking therapy’) may hasten recovery
  • Hospitalisation may be required for those who are very unwell and are posing a risk to themselves or to others.
Depression

Depression is a mood disorder. Emotional states like sadness, ‘feeling blue’ or tearfulness are part of normal human experience. Clinical depression is called Major Depression and is characterised by the presence for at least two weeks of symptoms such as depressed mood, diminished interest and pleasure in most activities, change in appetite and weight (these can be increased or decreased) sleep disturbance, fatigue, bodily symptoms (headache, backache etc) poor concentration, feelings of anxiousness, worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, and suicidal ideation. Depression is a common disorder and about 10-20 % of the population in New Zealand will suffer from depression during their lifetime. Treatment Once depression has been diagnosed by your GP/Psychiatrist, it can be effectively treated by: Antidepressant medication Psychological interventions e.g. counselling (various types) and psychotherapy (talking therapy which is of various types).

Depression is a mood disorder. Emotional states like sadness, ‘feeling blue’ or tearfulness are part of normal human experience. Clinical depression is called Major Depression and is characterised by the presence for at least two weeks of symptoms such as depressed mood, diminished interest and pleasure in most activities, change in appetite and weight (these can be increased or decreased) sleep disturbance, fatigue, bodily symptoms (headache, backache etc) poor concentration, feelings of anxiousness, worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, and suicidal ideation.
 
Depression is a common disorder and about 10-20 % of the population in New Zealand will suffer from depression during their lifetime. 
 
Treatment
Once depression has been diagnosed by your GP/Psychiatrist, it can be effectively treated by:
  • Antidepressant medication
  • Psychological interventions e.g. counselling (various types) and psychotherapy (talking therapy which is of various types).
 
Anxiety Disorders

We all feel some anxiety at some time or other. Anxiety may serve as an alerting signal, warning us of external /internal threats and consequently acting as a prompt to take appropriate action. When anxiety is very severe and present even when there is no threat of any kind, then it interferes with our functioning and can become an illness. In this circumstance, anxiety becomes a disorder characterised by an unpleasant emotion with feelings of fear, threat and impending danger and can be associated with numerous bodily symptoms like breathlessness, trembling, tightness in throat, dry mouth, racing heart and nausea/vomiting. There are varieties of anxiety disorders like panic attacks, phobias (unhealthy fear of something), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), social anxiety, post-traumatic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety can often be associated with a depressive episode. Anxiety disorders are very common and if unrecognised and untreated, can cause severe disability. Treatment Self help: learning techniques like relaxation, distraction and education Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Medication.

We all feel some anxiety at some time or other. Anxiety may serve as an alerting signal, warning us of external /internal threats and consequently acting as a prompt to take appropriate action.
 
When anxiety is very severe and present even when there is no threat of any kind, then it interferes with our functioning and can become an illness. In this circumstance, anxiety becomes a disorder characterised by an unpleasant emotion with feelings of fear, threat and impending danger and can be associated with numerous bodily symptoms like breathlessness, trembling, tightness in throat, dry mouth, racing heart and nausea/vomiting.
 
There are varieties of anxiety disorders like panic attacks, phobias (unhealthy fear of something), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), social anxiety, post-traumatic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety can often be associated with a depressive episode.
 
Anxiety disorders are very common and if unrecognised and untreated, can cause severe disability.
 
Treatment
  • Self help: learning techniques like relaxation, distraction and education
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Medication.
Trauma Informed Practice

A trauma informed approach is based on the following principles: Trauma Awareness Safety Collaboration and mutuality Empowerment, voice and choice Trustworthiness Awareness of Culture, History, and Gender

A trauma informed approach is based on the following principles:

  • Trauma Awareness
  • Safety
  • Collaboration and mutuality
  • Empowerment, voice and choice
  • Trustworthiness
  • Awareness of Culture, History, and Gender

Programmes

Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS)

The Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS) is a clinical team within Te Toka Tumai community mental health service. It provides assertive treatment and support to service users with psychotic and mood disorders who have a pattern of problematic engagement with services and/or treatment recommendations and a history of high risk during periods of relapse. ACOS provides crisis resolution and a significant focus on family involvement and short admissions to inpatient settings. There are strong links with Regional Forensic Services, cultural and migrant services and accommodation providers. ACOS provides proactive support into inpatient settings, therapeutic input for psychological issues, and effective interventions for high-risk transient and homeless service users. Discharge from ACOS back to CMHS continuing care teams is likely when ACOS treatment goals have been met, service users have significantly improved engagement with the service and treatment recommendations and have achieved a level of stability in living arrangements.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Community based support - mental health

Regions

Central Auckland

Age Groups

Adult / Pakeke

Referral Types

DHB clinical services

Referral Process

Service users who require our support will usually be referred by other parts of the community mental health service.

Description

The Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS) is a clinical team within Te Toka Tumai community mental health service. It provides assertive treatment and support to service users with psychotic and mood disorders who have a pattern of problematic engagement with services and/or treatment recommendations and a history of high risk during periods of relapse.

ACOS provides crisis resolution and a significant focus on family involvement and short admissions to inpatient settings. There are strong links with Regional Forensic Services, cultural and migrant services and accommodation providers. ACOS provides proactive support into inpatient settings, therapeutic input for psychological issues, and effective interventions for high-risk transient and homeless service users.

Discharge from ACOS back to CMHS continuing care teams is likely when ACOS treatment goals have been met, service users have significantly improved engagement with the service and treatment recommendations and have achieved a level of stability in living arrangements.

Parking

Visitor parking is provided near the ACOS office.

Contact Details

8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

54 Carrington Road
Point Chevalier
Auckland 1025

Information about this location

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Get directions

Street Address

54 Carrington Road
Point Chevalier
Auckland 1025

Postal Address

Assertive Community Outreach Service
c/o Buchanan Rehabilitation Centre
27 Sutherland Road
Pt Chevalier
Auckland 1025

This page was last updated at 9:48AM on March 19, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS) | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai.