Lives Lived Well, as the lead agency for headspace Southport, is inviting young people within the LGBTIQ community to come in and have a chat if they feel they are experiencing increased stress due to the continuing debate around the marriage equality postal vote.

We urge young people or anyone concerned about a young person to seek out our counselling services at headspace Southport for support if needed.

We also remind communities to be aware of the negative and stressful effects this debate can have on people and to keep conversations mindful and respectful.

With the result of the survey not due to be announced until 15 November, we expect that more young people will seek support in relation to this issue.

headspace Southport offers mental health support for young people aged 12-25 years. To make an appointment, call 07 5509 5900.

Queensland’s Lives Lived Well and Lyndon NSW are pleased to announce a merger between the two organisations in a move aimed at strengthening their services in both states.

Taking effect from today, September 1, 2017, the union between these two well-regarded, not-for-profit service providers is not so much about becoming bigger, but better, as they combine to bolster their services to continue their professional approach in helping people and families impacted by drugs or alcohol.

Lives Lived Well’s CEO Mitchell Giles indicated that each organisation is like-minded and that he is looking forward to building on long-standing records of excellence in service provision. “We hold in high regard the support that Lyndon provides to communities across NSW and we are pleased to be in partnership with them, working with them to continue to provide a professional and compassionate drug and alcohol support service, now spanning two states,” he said.

After the merger, Lyndon will continue to deliver services in NSW under the Lyndon name. Clients will continue to see the same faces. Lyndon’s CEO, Ed Zarnow, will remain within the merged entity in NSW as the leader in that state.

Mr Zarnow says the merger marks an exciting era for both organisations, as together we work towards becoming leaders and innovators in drug and alcohol treatment. “By combining forces and sharing knowledge, we will be better positioned and resourced to provide best practice supports to people experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol,” Mr Zarnow said.

About Lives Lived Well

Lives Lived Well is a distinguished not-for-profit that provides drug and alcohol and mental health support in Queensland. They deliver a range of community services from 21 locations across the state, including face-to-face and phone counselling, outreach, group programs and support for families. They also run three low-cost rehabilitation centres and headspace Southport on the Gold Coast. www.liveslivedwell.org.au

About Lyndon

Lyndon is a noted provider of drug and alcohol residential and community-based programs and activities across vast swathes of NSW. With their base in Orange –  where they have a withdrawal unit, a residential service and community outreach programs –they also offer services north to Bourke, west to Broken Hill, south to Bega and into the Blue Mountains. www.lyndon.org.au

ENDS

For all media enquiries contact:

Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e michelle.saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au

Expanded alcohol and drug counselling services are now available for Central Queensland individuals and families affected by the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine (ice).

Speaking at the official launch of the expanded services on 29 August, 2017, Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the additional $224,000 federal government funding is a vital boost to after-hours and crisis care support services for people across Capricornia.

“The work of these service providers will greatly enhance the capacity to provide assistance in the local area.” said Ms Landry.

“Drug and alcohol misuse takes a great toll on families and communities in Central Queensland and we’re pleased to support programmes like this that make a real difference in the battle against ice.”

Lives Lived Well CEO, Mitchell Giles, said the funding from Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN (the PHN) would expand the service and providing more drug and alcohol support to communities across Central Queensland.

“As well as expanding the range of services offered at our Rockhampton and Gladstone offices, we will now also be delivering outreach services to people in Biloela,” he said.

“Historically, residents in this area have had limited access to alcohol and drug support, so our expansion to include Biloela fills a significant gap in the services for this rural community.

 “By expanding our team, we will be able to help even more people and families being impacted by ice.

 “While ice is a focus, our counsellors are trained to work with people who have problems with any kind of drug, including alcohol, and can offer care and support for a range of needs, from mild to complex.

 “The funding from the PHN enables us to deliver a group day program, Life Back, for people who want to learn how to reduce their dependence on drugs or alcohol.

 “We developed Life Back to provide a more flexible style of support, as we recognised that alternatives to residential rehabilitation programs were needed.

 “Not everyone experiencing a problem with drugs or alcohol has the capacity to enter full-time residential rehabilitation, so we are expanding our services to cater to client demand for a less intensive form of treatment.

 “Our flexible services allow for counselling to be delivered over the phone, face-to-face and in group sessions.

 Pattie Hudson, CEO for the PHN, said the new services would enhance local support for people who needed help.

 “Through our community engagement and health planning, we have identified a demand for improved access to alcohol and drug counselling services at a local level,” she said.

“We are looking forward to working with Lives Lived Well as they deliver counselling, case management, group programs and outreach services for individuals and families across our region.

“These services will provide support to individuals and families who are affected by the harmful misuse of substances such as alcohol and methamphetamine.

“Their work will help members of our community get their lives back on track and provide more opportunities for people to access the help they need.”

People who are thinking of addressing their use of alcohol or other drugs, can contact Lives Lived Well on 1300 727 957.

For media enquiries contact:

Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e michelle.saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au or marketing@liveslivedwell.org.au