Lives Lived Well’s Watershed residential service in Wollongong has completed a five-month renovation, creating a more comfortable and supportive space for people recovering from alcohol and drug dependency. At an Open Day on Monday 4 November 2024, around 80 attendees, including health professionals and community members from across New South Wales and beyond, toured the upgraded facility.

Enhanced facilities for clients and staff

One of the biggest changes is a new, dedicated residential building featuring five single rooms and four double rooms, replacing the former bunk-bed setup, which had a six-bed men’s room and a four-bed women’s room. Now, with separate wings for men and women, clients benefit from greater privacy and personal space, aligning with Watershed’s trauma-informed care approach and fostering a respectful, healing environment.

In addition to these residential improvements, the administration building has been extended to better support the staff who work tirelessly to aid recovery. Upgrades include a larger meeting and lunch area, a new sleepover room for staff on duty, and a more functional duty office. Together, these enhancements create a more efficient and supportive space for both clients and the team, ensuring everyone has the resources they need for a positive recovery experience.

Trusted recovery support

Watershed’s six-week residential rehabilitation program offers personalised treatment plans and case management to guide clients toward lasting recovery. Known for its holistic approach, the facility often receives referrals from across New South Wales, providing a trusted support option for people in need.

Supported by key partnerships

This renovation project was made possible by a substantial financial investment from Lives Lived Well, with additional funding and support from the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA), a Commonwealth Community Hub Grant, and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. Together, these partnerships have transformed Watershed into a more welcoming, functional facility for the benefit of the community.

Ready to start your journey?

For more information about our Watershed residential service visit our dedicated website page at https://www.liveslivedwell.org.au/our-services/live-in-recover/watershed/.

You don’t need a GP referral to access Watershed’s services. You can self-refer directly through our website at https://www.liveslivedwell.org.au/personal-referral/. If you’d prefer to speak with us, feel free to call our friendly Contact Team at 1300 727 957.

We also accept referrals from health professionals, community services, and government organisations. Referrals can be made online or sent by fax to 07 5546 8223.

Lives Lived Well, a leading not-for-profit organisation that supports people with alcohol and drug concerns, is calling for increased awareness and action in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), occurring this Saturday, August 31. This important day represents the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

IOAD was first initiated in 2001 by Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St Kilda, Melbourne. Since 2012, the day has been organised by the Penington Institute. IOAD serves to highlight the tragic impact of overdose deaths and to stress that such tragedies are preventable. It calls for increased awareness and emphasises the importance of sharing information about available support services.

Lives Lived Well offers a range of community and residential programs across Queensland and New South Wales, helping thousands of people each year to overcome challenges related to alcohol and drug use.

James Curtain, Clinical Director at Lives Lived Well, emphasised the significance of the day, saying, “International Overdose Awareness Day is a crucial moment for our community to reflect on the lives lost and the families impacted by overdose.”

The 2024 theme ‘Together we can’ highlights the power of our community when we all stand together.

“By coming together, we can support those affected and work towards a future free from the devastating impacts of overdose,” Mr Curtain said.

An overdose occurs when too much of a drug, medication or poison is taken, which may result in a toxic effect on the body.

“We’re talking about prescription medications as well here. It’s really important to follow prescribed dosages, know what drugs shouldn’t be mixed, and make sure you ask for help if you’re struggling to manage your drug use,” Mr Curtain said.

“Understanding the signs of an overdose and knowing when to seek help can be lifesaving.”

In a medical emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance (dial 000). Emergency assistance is necessary if someone is unconscious or showing symptoms such as seizures, severe headaches, chest pain, breathing difficulties, extreme paranoia, agitation, or confusion. Even a few of these signs can indicate a serious medical emergency that requires urgent attention.

To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day, find local events, and access additional resources, visit www.overdoseday.com.

If you or your family need support for alcohol or drug concerns, contact Lives Lived Well at 1300 727 957 or visit www.liveslivedwell.org.au.

-ENDS-

Note to Editors:

Language is powerful—especially when discussing alcohol and other drugs and the people who use them. Stigmatising language reinforces negative stereotypes. “Person-centred” language focuses on the person, not their substance use.

Language matters was developed by NADA and NUAA, in consultation with non-government AOD workers and people who use drugs.

Mindframe is another key source of information on safe media reporting. The suite of Mindframe national guidelines were developed to support safe and accurate media reporting, portrayal, and communication of suicide, mental ill-health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviour.

For all Lives Lived Well media inquiries, please contact:

Lisa Larkin, Marketing and Communications Manager, Lives Lived Well

E. [email protected] M. 0428 433 572

The rising cost of living is having a big impact on young people’s mental health.

With indexation increasing debt repayment and the Gold Coast rental market becoming exceedingly unaffordable, how are young people – considered most vulnerable given factors such as casual work, student debt, and unstable housing – coping with the cost-of-living crisis?

This week, headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera teamed up with the Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild (GCSG) to help by hosting a free on-campus event, Mind & Money (27 August). The event offered expert advice from local professionals in finance, career development, student wellbeing, and mental health as well as free LinkedIn headshots.

The goal of this event was to offer young people tips on how to get ahead during the cost-of-living crisis and, more immediately, how to navigate the big feelings that come with it while taking care of their mental health.

This event, inspired by headspace National’s Mind & Money campaign, comes at a time when 50% of young people aged 18-25 say financial instability is a concern that needs to be urgently addressed and 2 in 5 say housing affordability is the next most urgent issue (headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey).

“To be honest, everything is expensive. I feel like the only thing that isn’t going up is my income and my food is going up as well,” said Austan Beauchamp, a first -year Griffith University student and Mind & Money participant.

headspace’s Youth Advisory Council played an important role in consulting on this event by choosing the panellists and designing questions that addressed the most pressing topics with which young people needed support, given today’s economic climate.

Panellists included Emma Annand, Financial Counsellor with UnitingCare, John Gilders, one of the Gold Coast’s most reputable Career Development Practitioners, Sarah McDonald, Wellbeing Coordinator for the Griffith University GCSG, and Lissy Suthers, Social Worker and Team Leader at headspace Upper Coomera.

The panel was led by youth moderators Ethan Burton (age 18) and Priya Virdee-Hero (age 19) of headspace’s Youth Advisory Council.

The hour-long Q&A panel sparked validating conversations around topics such as managing feelings of financial dooms day and what to do if you regret your degree choice to more practical tips like understanding how payment services, like After Pay, can positively or negatively affect young people. It also shed light on Griffith University’s free financial, social, and emotional support services available to students.

“The world is increasingly engaging with online communication, which at times can be overwhelming when looking for support on a specific concern like finances,” said Lissy Suthers, Team Leader for headspace Upper Coomera. “Forums and panels like this are helpful because they are targeted and allow information and solutions to focus on the topic, rather than exposure to 1000 responses to vague or harmful opinions.”

After the panel – as a complimentary lunch was served and lucky door prizes from local sponsors including Bunnings Southport, Dendy’s Southport, Dominos Southport, and Holey Moley at Surfers Paradise were passed through the crowd – young people could be seen connecting over their shared feelings of anxiety and stress and sharing tips on how to cope (a benefit of this in-person event).

“This event made me feel really encouraged on how to balance the pros and cons of life,” said Simone King, a Griffith University student and Mind & Money participant. “Sometimes you just need to hear it, even though you know these things, so I appreciated that.”

To access free, inclusive, and confidential mental health support on the Gold Coast, young people can reach out to headspace Southport at 07 5509 5900 (headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/southport) or headspace Upper Coomera at 07 5600 1999 (headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/upper-coomera).

-ENDS-

For headspace media enquires please contact:

Avery Price, headspace Southport, Marketing and Communications Officer, 0474 746 043, [email protected]

For Lives Lived Well media enquiries please contact:

Lisa Maynard, Lives Lived Well, Marketing and Communications Manager, 0428 433 572, [email protected]

About headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera

headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera are free, inclusive, and accessible mental health support service centres for young people aged 12-25 years old, operated by Lives Lived Well. Located on the Gold Coast, both centres are places where young people can get free and confidential support for their mental health, access non-judgemental information and support around drugs or alcohol, and get practical support with work and study.

headspace Southport also offers a free GP and an early psychosis program with wrap-around support for young people who are experiencing an early episode of psychosis or are at risk of developing psychosis.

Learn more about headspace Southport at headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/southport/ and headspace Upper Coomera at headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/upper-coomera/

About headspace

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, which provides early intervention mental health services to 12-25-year-olds. headspace has 150 centres across Australia in metropolitan, regional and remote areas and online and phone support services through eheadspace. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. Centre details, as well as factsheets and resources for young people and their families and friends, can be located on the headspace website: headspace.org.au.

Last week, Lives Lived Well (LLW) marked a significant milestone with a Motivational Interviewing (MI) Train New Trainers session, facilitated by Mikel Gellatly and Dr Stan Steindl. Over three days, we laid the groundwork for an organisation-wide rollout of MI training, aimed at empowering our client-facing staff and leaders across the organisation.

Our dedicated participants—Amanda Moawad, Ross de la Haye, Tom Ruming, Katie Hudson, Dr. Nick Kerswell, Grace Shuttleworth, and Paul Vallance—immersed themselves in MI principles and practices. Their commitment and enthusiasm were truly inspiring, bringing a wealth of insights and expertise to the sessions.

This training was more than just an event; it marked the start of an important journey. The strong foundations we’ve established will soon support a cohesive and impactful MI training program across LLW. We look forward to seeing how this training will benefit our teams and, ultimately, the clients we support.

                                                                                       Dr Stan Steindl and Mikel Gellatly