Oct 4, 2018
Our mobile day support program Roadmaps is having a positive impact on the lives of people living in regional and rural NSW.
Roadmaps has only been operating since April but already, this free mobile alcohol and drug support program for adults is changing lives. Funded by the Western NSW PHN and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the six-week program has run in Gllgandra, Dubbo, Wellington, Nyngan and Warren.
David*, aged 25, participated in the program and is making big changes as a result.
David was referred to Roadmaps by Community Corrections. Since the age of 15 he has had a serious problem with cannabis. Community Corrections staff gave him two choices: enter live-in rehabilitation away from country or complete the Roadmaps program.
“The support and acceptance I got from the Roadmaps team encouraged me to keep going and the strategies I leaned have given me hope for the future,” he said. “My relationship with my partner has improved and I am doing things I never imagined. I’ve been out for lunch at a café and eaten my first ever ‘melt’. I’m walking the dogs and I’ve enrolled in TAFE to study a Certificate 2 in Construction.” Belonging to the Kamilaroi mob, David is taking his interest in art to the next level and has started selling his artwork online.
Jane* is another person whose life has turned around thanks to Roadmaps. She participated in the program when it ran in Gilgandra recently. Jane had been living a hermit lifestyle and was misusing ice on a daily basis.
“Roadmaps has provided me with a safe place to talk about things,” she said. “In the Roadmaps group I am around people who are making changes to their lifestyle, so we are all learning together and trying new skills. “I am feeling heaps better. I’m eating better and have put on some weight. We talk about respecting yourself and I am learning to do that and to believe in myself.”
Roadmaps provides intensive rehabilitation support which includes individual and group counselling sessions, information and referrals to other services.
People can join the program by self referring or being referred. For more information email DubboOutreach@liveslivedwell.org.au or phone 0429 927 714.
*Client names changed to protect privacy.
Oct 4, 2018
This quarter we were fortunate to acknowledge three of our people who received community or sector-based awards.
Our NSW Group Manager for Clinical Services, Michele Campbell (below right) was recognised for her alcohol and other drug support work, receiving an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (NADA) Conference in Sydney on 7 June.
This is an outstanding achievement for Michele, who has spent most of her working life in the AOD sector, in city-based and rural services.
Also awarded, by being named a Westfield local hero, was Jade Mirabito (below left), our LGBTIQAP+ Specialist Worker at headspace Southport.
His award acknowledged his work in supporting young people from the LGBTIQAP+ community. He was among 74 other community members nominated from the northern Gold Coast region and was thrilled to come away with $10,000 to be spent in his workplace on enhancing his role and its capability.
Jade certainly has been helping to make a difference at headspace Southport with the number of people accessing the service who identify as LGBTIQAP+, increasing by almost 100 people in the past year.
He has also shared his professional knowledge and lived experiences with his colleagues to help enhance our inclusive culture and shared understanding of the issues LGBTIQAP+ people face.
Jade facilitates a monthly LGBTIQAP+ Mental Health Professionals Network, which supports the region’s professional development options for those in the sector wanting to learn about LGBTIQAP+ people. Anyone can come along to these free sessions.
The third award went to Donna Meyers (above), our Team Leader at Lives Lived Well Mackay who received a Sarina Community NAIDOC Award for her outstanding contribution to the Sarina Indigenous Community. Donna accepted the award on behalf of all the work her team does in delivering alcohol and drug support to the community as part of their regular outreach services and in supporting brighter futures for community members.
The team also held an Ice Forum in Sarina in July to provide more information about how they can support people and families in Sarina.
We congratulate Michele, Jade and Donna on these work-based achievements.
Aug 8, 2018
A free mental health program developed by beyondblue is available now for Darling Downs and West Moreton residents.
The program – NewAccess – was formally launched in Toowoomba on August 6 and is also available to people living in Ipswich and surrounding rural communities of the Lockyer Valley, Boonah, Esk, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Goondiwindi and Western Downs.
The program is open to anyone aged 18 and over who is struggling to cope with everyday challenges including work and personal life pressures, grief, anxiety, isolation and stress. No GP referral is needed.
Between 2013-14, more than 4500 people in the region were admitted to hospital for mental health related issues and more than 1000 people were hospitalised after intentionally self-harming.
NewAccess was designed to provide early mental health support for people; to give them skills to identify and manage issues causing distress so they don’t hit psychological crises down the track.
It’s a mental health coaching program that pairs people with a trained coach who will work with them over six private sessions in person, by phone or video conference – whichever option is more suitable.
NewAccess coaches are trained in Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and develop tailored recovery plans for each person, empowering people to take control of their mental health.
The structure of this Australian-first program removes the most common barriers preventing people from accessing mental health support – cost, stigma and access to local services.
NewAccess is funded by the Commonwealth Government via the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN and delivered by two local health services providers – Lives Lived Well and Mental Illness Fellowship Queensland (MIFQ).
beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said mental health support wasn’t always easy to access, especially for people living in rural areas and on low incomes.
“It takes immense courage for people to put their hand up and ask for support, so we need to make that next step easier for them and ensure they get the support they need,” Ms Harman said.
“NewAccess is free and easy to use, so it appeals to people who may otherwise be reluctant to seek support, such as men, older people and people in remote areas.”
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said his team was looking forward to working in conjunction with MIFQ to deliver the beyondblue program across the region and was grateful to the Darling Downs West Moreton PHN for making this possible through its funding support.
“Lives Lived Well is pleased to be able to offer mental health support as well as our other support services,” Mr Giles said.
“Given our long-standing presence in the region, we believe we are ready and well placed to offer it.”
MIFQ CEO Jennifer Pouwer said the organisation had delivered NewAccess to other regions of Queensland over the past twelve months and could see the positive impacts it has on people’s lives.
“MIFQ has a Population Health approach to mental health and wellbeing in the community and the NewAccess program is pivotal to early intervention and education for people experiencing anxiety and depression,” Ms Pouwer said.
“We are privileged to once again work with beyondblue and welcome the partnership with Lives Lived Well and Darling Downs West Moreton PHN to deliver NewAccess.”
Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN Chief Executive Officer Merrilyn Strohfeldt said NewAccess aimed to help people living in the region with low levels of anxiety and/or depression tackle day-to-day pressures.
“The program forms part of an expanded range of mental health services the PHN is commissioning across the Darling Downs and West Moreton region with a focus on providing services which cater to an individual’s needs, from low intensity services like NewAccess, right through to services that support individuals with more complex care needs,” Ms Strohfeldt said.
To register or to find out more about NewAccess, phone 1300 971 309 or head to our NewAccess page.
Jun 20, 2018
Our support service in Caboolture, on Brisbane’s northern doorstep, has received a boost, with the Federal Government committing additional funding over three years to the region.
Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt visited the service on 13 June to announce the funding. He said the Government’s decision to fund Lives Lived Well was based on the Brisbane North PHN’s needs assessment and acknowledged the work we’ve done in the area over the past 18 months.
We’ve started planning for a day-rehab, an ambulatory detox service, and additional services to complement our existing AOD program. The Federal Government also committed to capital development and funding for a new 20-bed residential facility – the first of its kind in the Caboolture region.
These new services are very much needed in this area. Since opening our Brisbane North Services 18 months ago, we’ve received referrals at a rate four times higher than predicted.
Our Caboolture team has seen 532 people from the area since early 2017, with most naming methamphetamines (Ice) as their primary drug of concern. Alcohol and cannabis also present strongly. About one in three people identify as having a co-occurring mental health condition.
The new Caboolture withdrawal service will be modeled on similar services we introduced late last year in Cairns and Mackay. These services are a vital stepping stone for people when they reach out for help to address problematic use of alcohol or drugs.
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