At Lives Lived Well, people are at the heart of everything we do. Today we’re proud to share a new statement that reflects our ongoing commitment to recognising and honouring lived and living experience.

This statement acknowledges the individuals, families, friends and carers whose experiences, wisdom and advocacy continue to guide and strengthen our work. By listening, learning and working alongside people with lived experience, we are better placed to support our clients to live their life well.

Lives Lived Well recognises those with a significant lived and living experience of challenges related to mental health, substance use and suicidality. That includes both individuals with personal experiences as well as the family, friends and carers who have supported those who they love and/or have loved. Lived and living experience voices and perspectives are central to the work we do at Lives Lived Well. We thank those with lived and living experience whose expertise and insights help us as we support our clients to live their life well.

We’re committed to listening, learning and ensuring these voices remain central to how we deliver and improve our services. 

Taking the first step toward residential treatment can sometimes feel a little daunting. To help make that step easier, we’re pleased to share a new walkthrough video of our West Moreton Residential Rehabilitation and Withdrawal Service.

Get a feel for the facilities and the calm, supportive setting where recovery happens. It’s a chance to look around, get familiar with the surroundings, and see what life at the service can look like before you arrive.

Located in Raceview, Ipswich, this purpose‑built service supports people across the West Moreton region who are ready to make positive changes to their alcohol or other drug use. Operated by Lives Lived Well and funded by Queensland Health, it brings together residential rehabilitation and withdrawal support on one site, offering continuity of care in a safe, welcoming environment. The program includes a six‑week residential rehabilitation program and a 24‑hour supported withdrawal unit, all delivered in an alcohol‑free, drug‑free environment.

If you or someone you care about is thinking about residential treatment, we invite you to take a walk through our West Moreton service. Sometimes, seeing the space is the first step toward feeling ready.

👉 Watch the walkthrough video now

👉 Learn more about West Moreton Recovery

With nearly 30 years of experience across mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD), and community health services, Catherine brings extensive clinical expertise and a steadfast commitment to quality care and clinical excellence.

Catherine began her career as a Registered Nurse in both general and mental health settings, spending 20 years in the public tertiary sector before transitioning to the not-for-profit sector in 2016.

What drew her to Lives Lived Well?

“Seeing how closely the values align with my own, particularly around leaving a legacy in mental healthcare and AOD, it really spoke to me.”

Catherine is deeply committed to trauma-informed practice and authentic partnership — with colleagues, clients and the broader community. She believes high-quality care is built on collaboration, psychological safety and a shared sense of purpose.

Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending quality time with her family (particularly competitive board games), as well as horse riding and sailing to recharge.

We are delighted to welcome the leadership, insight and collaborative spirit Catherine brings to our team.

On 9 December, Lives Lived Well marked an important milestone with the official launch of our 2025–27 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 

We were honoured to be joined by Baringa Barambah Meeanjinu, a Songwoman of the Turrbal People and daughter of Turrbal Elder Maroochy Barambah, who delivered a heartfelt Welcome to Country. Growing up on her ancestral homelands of Meeanjin (Brisbane), she learnt traditional laws and customs from her Elders. She is deeply passionate about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to strengthen social, cultural and economic outcomes.  

We were also privileged to welcome Uncle Billy Cummings, an Aboriginal Elder who lives in Brisbane and is connected to the Turrbal People through kinship ties. With a strong spiritual connection to his people, traditions and Country, Uncle Billy joined us with the blessing of Turrbal Elder and Songwoman Maroochy Barambah to perform a Smoking Ceremony on behalf of the Turrbal People of Brisbane. 

The launch was well attended by other partners and service providers, including QNADA, Reconciliation Queensland and Brisbane North PHN, as well as members of our RAP Committee who travelled from NSW and other locations to be part of the day. 

Our RAP Chair, Nathan Campbell, opened the event by recognising the significance of cultural traditions and the importance of reconciliation. This was followed by our RAP Coordinator, Rebecca Kennedy, who shared the story behind the RAP cover artwork on behalf of the artist, Daniel Lorraway. 

“This artwork represents a map of the Northern NSW region and the many communities we walk alongside and support. It tells a story of resilience, connection and healing following the devastating floods of 2022.”

Our CEO, Mitchell Giles, reinforced Lives Lived Well’s commitment to reconciliation, saying: 

“Our approach at Lives Lived Well is based on listening to local voices, respecting community leadership, and shaping services alongside communities, not for them. We aim to build stronger, mutually respectful relationships and continually improve how we provide services in ways that reflect local needs, cultures and aspirations. We also envision a workplace that is culturally safe, inclusive and respectful, a space where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff can thrive, lead and build long-term careers with us.” 

Mitchell also acknowledged and thanked the RAP Committee and Executive Sponsor, Julie Dignan, for guiding this work with dedication, cultural insight and unwavering commitment. 

The event concluded with a shared lunch catered by Figjam and Co., a proud second-generation Indigenous business with connections to the Gunditjamara and Ngarrindjeri mobs. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this significant step in our reconciliation journey. 

As we approach the holiday season, please be advised that some of Lives Lived Well’s services and programs will be closed or operating at reduced capacity from Wednesday 24 December 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026.

During this period, while we welcome referrals, our contact team will resume processing them upon their return on Monday 5 January 2026.

• You can make a self-referral by filling out this form.
• Refer yourself to our support services for veterans and family members by filling out this form.
• Service providers and health practitioners can refer your clients by filling out this form.

We understand the importance of timely support, so if you are experiencing a crisis or struggling to cope, the following services are there to help. If a life is in immediate danger, dial 000 (Emergency Services).

Support services

Lifeline: 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au

• 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service

13 YARN: 13 92 76 | www.13yarn.org.au

• 24/7 crisis support line run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A safe space to yarn with no shame or judgment.

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 | www.kidshelpline.com.au

• 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25

QLife: 1800 184 572 | qlife.org.au

• Anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Phone and webchat are open from 3pm – midnight every day.

Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS):

Counselling, support, referrals, and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs

• QLD – 1800 177 833 (24/7) | ADIS – QLD
• NSW – 1800 250 015 (24/7)| ADIS – NSW
• SA – 1300 131 340 (8.30am to 10pm CST, every day) | ADIS – SA Health 

Alcohol & Drug Counselling Online: www.counsellingonline.org.au

• 24/7 free and confidential alcohol and drug counselling

Family Drug Support:  1300 368 186 | www.fds.org.au

• 24/7 support phone line for families and friends of people using drugs and alcohol

Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 | www.openarms.gov.au

• 24/7 crisis support for veterans and their families. Free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF and their families.

All-hours Support Line: 1800 628 036 | Department of Defence website

• The All-hours Support Line (ASL) is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24/7. The ASL is designed as a triage line, which means that it’s there to help you access ADF or civilian mental health services more easily.

National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858 | www.gamblinghelponline.org.au

• 24/7 phone and chat support. Speak to a gambling counsellor for free.

1800RESPECT – National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service: 1800 737 732

• 24/7 support line for people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), three in five people who received Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) treatment services are male. Men also account for 30% of Lives Lived Well’s active mental health service enrolments. Yet each November, during Men’s Health Awareness Month, the topic remains largely overlooked. 

So, let’s talk about it. 

Key facts at a glance 

• In 2023–24, around 131,900 Australians aged 10 and over received treatment from publicly-funded AOD services.  

• Of those receiving treatment for their own alcohol or drug use, 60% were male.  

• In that same period, the most common principal drug of concern for clients was alcohol, followed by other substances. 

• According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), among men aged 15-24, mental health and substance use disorders together constitute 4 of the top 5 causes of disease burden.  

• In 2022, data showed that 35.8% of male adults exceeded the guideline for weekly alcohol consumption, compared with 18.1% of females. 

What did we learn from the numbers? 

The data clearly show that men are disproportionately represented in AOD treatment services. A 60% male share in clients suggests that men are broadly more likely to access these services for their own substance use. At the same time, for younger males, the combination of mental health issues with substance dependence places them among the highest-risk groups. 

On the other hand, because alcohol remains the leading drug of concern, and because males are more likely to exceed safe drinking guidelines, it highlights the persistent challenge of alcohol-related harm among men. 

So what can we do to support? 

1. Early intervention: Given that younger men (15-24) are among the most impacted by both mental health and substance use disorders, interventions that engage men early are critical. 
2. Integrated services: Substance use services and mental-health services must work more closely together; the data show substance use and mental health burdens are deeply connected. 
3. Culturally-sensitive approaches: Men from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous men, gay and queer men, men with disability, rural & remote men, may have unique needs and higher risks. Services must adapt accordingly. 
4. Challenge the stigma: Social norms around masculinity may prevent men from reaching out. Shifting public narrative, creating safe spaces for vulnerability, and using language that invites help are all essential. 
5. Harm reduction and safe drinking messaging: Given the high percentage of men exceeding alcohol guidelines, public health messaging and service responses need to address this head-on, not just the extreme end of dependence, but risk patterns too. 

Let’s not overlook the connection between AOD use and men’s health 

The numbers make it clear: alcohol and other drug use can have a significant impact on men’s health. Understanding these patterns helps us recognise the real-world effects and the importance of addressing both issues together.  

During Men’s Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting this crucial link and encouraging open conversations about the support men may need. 

At Lives Lived Well, we offer government-funded programs across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia to support people experiencing AOD concerns. We’re committed to helping the community access the care, respect and guidance they deserve on their recovery journey.