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.
Aug 1, 2018
Lives Lived Well has welcomed additional State funding which will soon see several of our services delivering specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) information and support to Queensland families.
The State Government’s Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women this week announced the funding, which will see Lives Lived Well receiving $1.84 million over two years towards providing AOD information and support to families across four sites.
The Breakthrough for Families program will be offered from Lives Lived Well services located in Townsville, Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
The program aims to provide brief support and actively engage with families being impacted by methamphetamine (ice) and other drug use, including alcohol. This will include individual support sessions as well as education-based group sessions.
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the funding would allow our services in these selected regions to provide more support to families, working with parents who have problems with drugs or alcohol towards helping them have a better understanding of their problem and its impacts.
“We look forward to providing families with the information they need to get support and to better understand the nature of alcohol and drug use and its impacts, effects and risks,” Mr Giles said.
Participation in the program will be voluntary and it will aim to be culturally respectful, accessible and inclusive.
Lives Lived Well expects the program will start to be offered from its specified sites in September 2018.
Lives Lived Well provides a range of alcohol and drug support programs and services, including residential rehabilitation programs, across Queensland and in regional NSW
For all media enquiries contact:
Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e michelle.saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au or marketing@liveslivedwell.org.au
Jun 13, 2018
Lives Lived Well welcomes the Federal Government announcement regarding additional funding for specialised drug and alcohol treatment services for people living in the Caboolture region.
Lives Lived Well provides drug and alcohol services across the Brisbane North region, including from its service hub based in Caboolture.
Since opening our Brisbane North Services, 18 months ago, we have been experiencing higher than anticipated demand for support. In a single week, the service receives referrals at a rate that is four times higher than previously predicted.
Since opening, our Brisbane North services have seen 1457 people, including 532 from the Caboolture area. Most named methamphetamines (Ice) as their primary drug of concern, with alcohol and cannabis still presenting strongly.
The Brisbane North PHN has identified the need for locally offered detox and specialised treatment services to address the increased prevalence in problematic substance use amongst young people and adults.
Lives Lived Well’s CEO Mitchell Giles says our service data supports this need and additional specialised services in the area would increase our service capacity, having a direct impact on reducing the harms caused by drugs and alcohol.
“Our Brisbane North staff are working with twice the usual number of clients, and frequently tell us they struggle to meet the demand,” Mr Giles said.
“This much needed funding boost will result in more local services on the ground, keeping people closer to home and family and where they can access strong community links to other supports such as general practice, schooling, education, employment, housing and childcare.
“We are proud to help people in this region to live their lives well.”
For media inquiries, contact Lives Lived Well’s Marketing and Communications Team, Michelle Saftich.
Email: Michelle.Saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au
May 28, 2018
Lives Lived Well has relocated its Cairns operations to larger premises at 139 Sheridan Street and added transitional accommodation to its support services.
Previously located in Martyn Street, the centre also provides a day program for drug or alcohol withdrawal support, community re-entry for people exiting corrective services, and intake assessment for the Shanty Creek residential facility.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said supported accommodation was a critical part of any rehabilitation program.
“People seeking treatment and support to deal with alcohol and drug addiction need to have appropriate accommodation where they feel safe and secure,” Mr Entsch said.
“Supported accommodation also reduces the risk of relapse.
“I congratulate Lives Lived Well by going further in providing transitional accommodation – a first for Cairns.
“It is this type of program being offered by Lives Lived Well that gives people the best chance to deal with addiction.”
Lives Lived Well CEO, Mitchell Giles said the new property, funded by Lives Lived Well, featured two two-bedroom units for people in need of accommodation to assist their transition after completing rehabilitation at Shanty Creek.
“Being able to offer transitional accommodation for the first time in Cairns has boosted the level of support we provide for people affected by the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine,” Mr Giles said.
“We regularly re-assess the needs of our local communities to ensure we deliver services that will provide the most suitable support for people.”
In September last year, Lives Lived Well, in partnership with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, introduced the Alcohol and Other Drugs Withdrawal Support program in Cairns to provide supervised day care for people coming off drugs and alcohol.
“Further expanding our support offering to include transitional accommodation at Sheridan Street reflects Lives Lived Well’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to providing a continuum of care in the region,” he said.
Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit support organisation for people impacted by drugs, alcohol or mental health concerns. People who are thinking of addressing their use of alcohol or other drugs can contact Lives Lived Well on 1300 727 957.
ENDS
For media inquiries, contact Lives Lived Well’s Marketing Team Leader, Michelle Saftich. Email: Michelle.Saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au
Mar 5, 2018
We know that many people struggling with an alcohol or drug problem also experience issues related to employment, housing and relationships. We’re helping to boost the AOD knowledge of people working in the community services sector, so they can better support clients presenting with these complex issues, by offering Drug and Alcohol First Aid training.
People working in the community services sector in Brisbane can build their knowledge of AOD issues and in turn, better support their clients, through our Drug and Alcohol First Aid workshop.
The workshop is suited to people working in the community services sector who support clients experiencing AOD issues. It’s also ideal for people who are new to the AOD sector.
LLW’s National Research Manager, Dr Julaine Allan, will deliver the one-day workshop in Beenleigh on 22 March. Julaine is a substance use researcher and practitioner with more than 30 years’ experience in social work, family therapy, child protection and drug and alcohol services. She is also a Research Associate with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of NSW, and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University.
The workshop will be held at the Beenleigh Events Centre from 8:45am to 4pm. The cost is $155 which includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and all training materials. Places are limited so register now!
Jan 31, 2018
- Six new family recovery units began construction at Logan House Recovery Centre
- Units will help parents with young children access rehab services
- The Coalition Government is investing $986,000 in the project.
Construction is now underway on six family units at the Logan House Recovery Centre, providing vital accommodation to facilitate access to drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for parents with children.
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said the new family accommodation units would help break the cycle of addiction.
“Addiction affects everybody in the community but particularly children, with parents’ untreated problems often being passed on to younger generations,” Dr McVeigh said.
“Giving parents with young children appropriate accommodation for their families will allow them to get the help they need.”
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen said Logan House, which provides a valuable support network for people recovering from addiction, has until now been unable to accommodate families.
“With three two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units, the centre will be able to provide vital accommodation to parents early next year,” Mr van Manen said.
“Each unit comes with an attached kitchen, bathroom, living room and a shared outdoor room, giving each family the independence and security they deserve.”
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said now that the building of family recovery units at Logan House was underway, parents with young children were a step closer to being supported in accessing vital drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.
“Parents often struggle to get the help they need for problems with drugs or alcohol because they have to continue providing care for their children,” Mr Giles said.
“These new family units means parents can live-in with their children and have them cared for while they receive the intensive support they need to get back on their feet.”
The Coalition Government is jointly funding the $1,972,000 project with Lives Lived Well Ltd.
1300 727 957
