We appreciate the patience and support of our clients and community during the temporary closure of some of our offices due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We’re happy to share that all offices have now reopened.

A huge thank you also to our staff for their dedication and teamwork over the past fortnight. From preparing for the cyclone’s impact to ensuring services could safely resume, your efforts have been invaluable. While services are returning to normal, there’s still some work ahead—remedial cleaning, replacing ceiling tiles, and final repairs.

We know this has been a challenging time for many, and we truly appreciate the understanding and resilience shown by our staff, clients, and the wider community.

If you have any questions about upcoming appointments or need to schedule a time with our team, please call 1300 727 957 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help.

Veterans will soon have better access to the support they need, closer to home, with the Northern Adelaide Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub set to open in mid-2025. Led by Lives Lived Well and funded by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Hub will provide dedicated wellbeing services and social connection opportunities for veterans, serving defence members, and their families.

On Thursday 6 March 2025, we welcomed Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, and Federal Member for Spence, Matt Burnell MP, to the future site of the Hub at The Playford Health Hub in Elizabeth Vale. They joined representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and members of the veteran community to tour the site and discuss the critical role the Hub will play in supporting veterans and their families in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

A purpose-built hub for veterans and their families

To ensure the Hub meets the needs of the veteran community, Lives Lived Well conducted extensive market research and worked closely with veterans, ex-service organisations (ESOs), and community representatives. The Playford Health Hub site was selected for its accessibility, connectivity to key services, and welcoming environment.

Located close to RAAF Base Edinburgh, the expansion of the Hub network into Adelaide’s northern suburbs will see almost 11,000 local veterans and families access improved specialist services close to home.

Opening timeline and next steps

• Construction begins this month.
• Final approvals and fit-out will follow.
• The Hub is expected to open in late June or July 2025, pending approvals.

Lives Lived Well would like to thank and acknowledge everyone who has supported this Hub establishment so far and all those who joined us last week to mark this milestone. A special acknowledgment to Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill for their support.

You can learn more about the Hub at https://www.liveslivedwell.org.au/adelaide-veterans-and-families-wellbeing-hub/.

For updates on the project, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events, sign up for our Northern Adelaide newsletter.

Lives Lived Well, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use, joins communities worldwide in recognising International Family Drug Support Day on 24 February. This annual event raises awareness about the crucial role families play in supporting loved ones affected by alcohol and drug use.

Since its inception in 2016, International Family Drug Support Day has grown into a global movement, reinforcing the message that supporting families improves outcomes. The theme for 2025 – “Time for Change” – highlights the need for greater awareness, compassion, and access to support for families navigating substance use challenges. It also emphasises the importance of reducing stigma and discrimination, promoting harm reduction strategies, and ensuring that families, carers, and friends have the support they need.

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles highlighted the need to address stigma and ensure families feel supported in their journey.

“Families play a pivotal role in a person’s journey toward recovery. By providing them with education, tools, and coping strategies, we can create a more supportive environment and improve outcomes for everyone involved,” Mr Giles said.

“At Lives Lived Well, we know that when families are supported, the ripple effect benefits not only individuals but also communities as a whole. International Family Drug Support Day serves as a reminder that no one should navigate this journey alone.”

Lives Lived Well offers a range of evidence-based programs to support individuals and families impacted by substance use across Queensland and New South Wales. These include residential rehabilitation services, withdrawal programs, day programs, and family-focused services like Breakthrough for Families. Some of Lives Lived Well’s residential services also allow parents to stay with their young children, ensuring families can heal together. These include Binbi Family Recovery (Rockhampton), Logan Family Recovery (Chambers Flat) and Elouera (Orange).

“Whether it’s through live-in treatment or other community-based options, our team is here to help,” said Mr Giles.

“We welcome self-referrals, and questions from family members, making it easier for people to access information and support when they’re ready.”

To learn more about Lives Lived Well’s services, or to make a referral, call 1300 727 957 or visit www.liveslivedwell.org.au.

International Family Drug Support Day is coordinated by Family Drug Support. To learn more about International Family Drug Support Day, visit internationalfdsday.fds.org.au. For 24/7 family support, contact the Family Drug Support helpline at 1300 368 186.

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 For all media inquiries, please contact:

Lisa Larkin, Marketing and Communications Manager, Lives Lived Well

E. [email protected]

Today (20 February 2025) we are excited to be hosting the official community opening event at headspace Caloundra, celebrating improved access to mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 12 to 25. Since opening in December, the centre at 3a/67 Bowman Road has already connected with young people more than 150 times through services and support. This opening event recognises the collaborative effort behind its establishment and the vital services it now offers.

headspace Caloundra is operated by Lives Lived Well, with funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and administered by the local Primary Health Network, Country to Coast, QLD.

To mark the occasion, the team at headspace Caloundra will be joined by staff from headspace National, Youth Advisory Committee members, consortium and funding partners, and community stakeholders from 3pm to celebrate this milestone and recognise the centre’s role in supporting local young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The community event includes tours of the centre, as well as cake, pizza, and even a jelly decorating station.

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the event is an important opportunity to acknowledge the collective effort that made the new service possible.

“We are proud to provide a dedicated space where young people can access free and confidential support, helping them navigate life’s challenges and take positive steps towards their wellbeing,” Mr Giles said.

“Since we opened our doors in December, referrals have been growing steadily, demonstrating there is the need for ongoing youth-specific mental health services in the area.”

The event also aims to promote headspace Caloundra’s services to young people, families, and friends in the community, ensuring more people know where to turn for support when they need it.

headspace CEO Jason Trethowan emphasised the role headspace plays in supporting young people across Australia and the impact that centres like headspace Caloundra can have in local communities.

“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the official launch of headspace Caloundra, which will provide vital mental health support to young people in the local community. We know that life can be challenging for young people, and having a welcoming, youth-friendly space like headspace Caloundra means they have somewhere to turn when they need help,” Mr Trethowan said.

“At headspace, we know that getting support early can make a real difference in a young person’s life. This centre will play a crucial role in ensuring that young people in Caloundra can access free and confidential mental health support when they need it, without barriers. We encourage any young person who may be going through a tough time to reach out—headspace is here for you.”

headspace Caloundra joins headspace Maroochydore and headspace Gympie as the third headspace service on the Sunshine Coast commissioned by Country to Coast, QLD.

Country to Coast, QLD Chief Executive, Julie Sturgess said the new centre will play an important role in supporting young people to seek help early, closer to home.

“When young people have access to the right support early on, it can make a real difference to their mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Sturgess said.

“headspace Caloundra provides a safe and welcoming environment where young people can walk in, ask for help, and connect with the services they need—without the barrier of needing a referral.”

Federal Member for Fisher, Mr Andrew Wallace MP said, “Today marks a significant milestone for the mental health care of young people living in the South of the Sunshine Coast.”

“The opening of headspace Caloundra is a testament to our community’s commitment to providing the necessary mental health support for our young people,” Mr Wallace said.

“The opening of headspace Caloundra is a significant step forward in addressing the mental health needs of young Australians. I encourage all young people in the region to take advantage of these new services and to prioritise their mental wellbeing.”

Young people aged 12-25 can access headspace Caloundra Monday to Friday by calling 07 5222 4009, attending the centre in person, or referring via the website: headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/Caloundra/.

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Media contacts

Lives Lived Well: Lisa Larkin, [email protected]

headspace National media: [email protected]

Country to Coast, QLD: Ange Baldwin, [email protected]

About Lives Lived Well

Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers evidence-based services across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. The organisation specialises in supporting people with concerns related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD), mental health, transitioning from corrective services, veterans’ wellbeing and gambling. As well as being the lead agency for headspace Caloundra, Lives Lived Well is the lead agency for headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera. Learn more at www.liveslivedwell.org.au.

About headspace

headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through our headspace centres in communities across Australia, our online and phone counselling services, our vocational services, and our presence in schools. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.

About Country to Coast, QLD

Country to Coast, QLD is an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to building healthy, connected and resilient communities across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions. We deliver the Australian Government’s PHN Program and partner with health providers and the community to design and commission quality primary care services.

Earlier this month, more than 750 Gold Coast high school students participated in a series of mental health workshops co-delivered by headspace Southport, headspace Upper Coomera, and the nationally recognised mental health and suicide prevention initiative, The Champions.  

Lives Lived Well is the lead agency for both headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera. For the second consecutive year, The Champions, led by mental health advocate and educator Nic Newling, partnered with Lives Lived Well to bring this high-value program to young people in Queensland. The initiative continued in 2025, with headspace Southport securing funding from The Slater and Gordon Community Fund, alongside the Australian Communities Foundation, to expand its reach. 

“Providing young people with access to mental health education and support in schools is critical to breaking down stigma and ensuring they know where to turn when they need help,” said Suzi Brendon, Lives Lived Well’s Clinical Manager for Youth Mental Health Services.  

“We are grateful for the support that allows us to once again partner with The Champions to bring this program to Queensland for the second year, reaching students with powerful real-life stories and practical mental health information.” 

The Champions workshop was developed by Nic Newling to foster open conversations around mental health and suicide prevention. Drawing from his lived experience—including his own mental health journey and the loss of his brother to suicide in high school—Newling engages students in meaningful discussions that challenge stigma and empower them to seek help. The workshops create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable learning about mental health and ways they can seek help. 

“This partnership has allowed The Champions to engage hundreds of young people across the Gold Coast with lived-experience mental health storytelling while also highlighting the essential, ongoing support available in their communities through headspace,” Newling said. 

“This is the perfect age and environment for young people to understand the human side of mental health and how it applies to their lives – not just the health science, but really the connection between these issues and themselves personally.” 

Over four days, five workshops were held at Gold Coast high schools, including Pimpama State Secondary College (February 3), Foxwell State Secondary College (February 4), Varsity College (February 5), Merrimac State School (February 5), and Upper Coomera State College (February 7). The sessions were delivered to more than 750 Year 10 and 11 students, addressing three key barriers young people face when seeking help: feelings of stigma or shame, worries about confidentiality, and uncertainty about how to seek help.  

“I recognise the need for mental health support for all generations, but in particular our young people and this was a wonderful introduction for these young people today,” said Michael Crandon MP State Member for Coomera. 

At each high school, students were highly engaged and interested as Newling shared his lived experience and mental health stories in a way that students could resonate with. Each presentation also included an interactive Q&A with both Newling and Community Engagement team members from the headspace services, encouraging meaningful questions from both students and educators at each of the schools. 

One student reflected, “Nic’s presentation was extremely insightful, and I’ve never heard of headspace before. I’m going to talk to my friend about headspace as I feel they need it.” 

“For the students sitting here today, a lot of them didn’t know that they could access headspace and that it is a free service that is targeted at their age group,” said Sara Massi, Guidance Counsellor at Varsity College.  

headspace Southport Clinicians were also available to educate students on how to access its free, inclusive, and confidential mental health support. 

“The presence of mental health services in schools is not only crucial for addressing current emotional challenges amongst young people and their families, but also fostering long-term wellbeing, resilience, and success in students,” said Shannon Mokomoko, Access and Intake Worker from headspace Southport. 

The program is supported by Slater & Gordon Lawyers, who have been instrumental in ensuring young people in Queensland have access to mental health education. 

“It’s an honour for Slater & Gordon Lawyers to support local events like this in the community and advocate mental health awareness for young people on the Gold Coast,” said Racheal Primmer from Slater & Gordon Lawyers. 

“Being a part of the grassroots of any community event is essential,” added Fleur Hawes, also from Slater & Gordon Lawyers.  

 To access free, inclusive, and confidential mental health support, young people can reach out to headspace Southport at 07 5509 5900 or headspace Upper Coomera at (07) 5600 1999. You can find a headspace centre near you at www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres. 

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Media contact 

For media enquiries please contact: Lisa Larkin, Marketing and Communications Manager, Lives Lived Well, [email protected] 

About The Champions 

The Champions is a captivating workshop created by mental health advocate and educator Nic Newling. Following his own mental illness and losing his brother to suicide in high school, Nic developed “The Champions” to change the way mental illness is addressed in schools, workplaces, and communities. The powerful workshop, built around personal stories and an engaging Q&A, has demonstrated impressive results with young people, with 95% of students reporting a reduction in stigma related to mental illness and 95% reporting an increase in their willingness to discuss mental health and seek support after the presentation. Nic has reached millions in the last ten years through television, live talks, radio, print, and online. Learn more about The Champions: www.thechampions.org/.

About headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera 

headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera are free, inclusive, and accessible mental health support services for young people aged 12-25 years old that Lives Lived Well operates. These services offer a place where young people can get free and confidential support for their mental health, access non-judgemental information and support around drugs or alcohol, meet with a free GP, and get practical support with work and study. We also offer an early psychosis program on the Gold Coast 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: www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/southport/.  
Learn more about headspace Upper Coomera: www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/upper-coomera/.

About headspace 

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. headspace has more than 150 centres across Australia in metropolitan, regional and remote areas, as well as 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. 

As the year comes to a close, many people take time to reflect on their lives and consider changes to build a better future. For those struggling with substance use, this reflection can mark a pivotal moment—a chance to take the first courageous step toward recovery. Lives Lived Well is here to help, offering support through Mirikai, a longstanding residential rehabilitation service on the Gold Coast.

Fifty years ago, local GP Dr Rob Richardson founded the Gold Coast Drug Council to address a critical gap in support for individuals facing substance use challenges. In 1981, the Council established Mirikai in Burleigh—a name that means “place of peace”. From its early beginnings as a small brick house, Mirikai has grown into a leading residential alcohol and drug treatment program, helping people aged 18 to 35 reclaim their lives.

In 2012, the Gold Coast Drug Council merged with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Queensland to form Lives Lived Well. This partnership blossomed from a shared vision, ignited by the realisation of the good that could be accomplished together, by combining expertise and resources.

“The establishment of the Gold Coast Drug Council was a visionary step,” said Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles. “We are grateful to Dr Rob Richardson, Mary Alcorn and everyone involved in those early days for laying the foundations.”

“Today, we’ve built on that legacy by expanding the support we offer on the Gold Coast, integrating evidence-based practices, and ensuring Mirikai remains a place where individuals can rebuild their lives.”

For Clinical Services Manager Vicky Mouatt, Mirikai holds a deeply personal significance. She has been a staff member at Lives Lived Well for nearly 20 years, but her connection with Mirikai began even earlier when she came through its doors as a client.

“I’m personally passionate about this place,” Ms Mouatt said.

“I came here as a client myself and recovered here. Mirikai is an amazing place that helped change my life.”

Reflecting on her time with the not-for-profit, Ms Mouatt said there have been so many memorable moments over the years.

“Really, it’s the number of people who come here and change their lives. Whether that takes one treatment episode, two, or three, we want people to know they can come back and keep trying,” she said.

“It’s amazing when clients return years later to say hello and share how their lives have improved. Those moments are really special.”

Mirikai offers a structured, supportive six- to 12-week program where clients live together, participate in daily therapy, and learn life skills. They can stay as long as needed and transition to supported housing in the community when ready.

In 2023–2024, Mirikai supported 276 people through its residential rehabilitation program, with an average bed occupancy of 95%. From January to June 2024, 96% of clients reported an improved quality of life, and 98% reduced their substance use within three months.

A Patient Experience Survey completed by over 200 clients showed 97.6% satisfaction with the service and an average rating of 4.65 out of 5.

“At Lives Lived Well, we understand that making the decision to seek support can be one of the hardest steps a person takes,” Ms Mouatt said.

“That’s why our team is here to talk you through your options, whether that’s live-in support at Mirikai or one of our community programs. We take self-referrals, so if you’re ready to reach out, we’re here to help you find the support that’s right for you.”

Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers evidence-based services across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Enquiries about Mirikai and other Gold Coast supports provided by Lives Lived Well can be made by calling 1300 727 957 or visiting www.liveslivedwell.org.au.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Lisa Larkin, Marketing and Communications Manager, Lives Lived Well
[email protected] | [email protected]