A free mental health program developed by beyondblue will be available for residents living in western Queensland when it launches in Roma, Mount Isa and Longreach this month.
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In the 2013-14 year almost 700 people in Western Queensland were admitted to hospital for mental health related issues. Another 147 people were hospitalised after intentional self-harm incidents.
In a bid to provide support for mental health sufferers, NewAccess, will launch in Roma on February 22, Mount Isa on February 26 and Longreach on February 28, and is available to locals over 18 years who feel stressed, anxious or are struggling with work or personal life challenges.
The mental health coaching program pairs people with a trained coach over six free sessions where they work together to help get on top of the issues triggering their distress.
People can attend private coaching sessions in person or by phone, which ensures confidentiality and convenience, and a doctor’s referral is not required.
beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said NewAccess was a unique and inclusive program available to every community in Western Queensland, regardless of where people live or their financial status.
“Access to mental health services is a crucial issue in rural and remote areas. It’s unacceptable that some people can’t access support just because they live in regional or remote areas,” she said.
NewAccess is funded by the Federal Government via the Western Queensland Primary Health Network (PHN) and delivered by Lifeline Darling Downs and South West in Roma, The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Longreach and CentacareNQ in Mount Isa.
Western Queensland PHN CEO Stuart Gordon said the PHN was excited to collaborate with beyondblue to bring this new, low-intensity service to communities in Western Queensland.
“The availability of low intensive community based services will enhance the efficacy of our existing mental health network and provide a new opportunity for local clients to engage and become better informed about mental health as well as managing the early risks of the people around them,” Mr Gordon said.
“I applaud the commitment of this group of service providers for their its dedication to beyondblue and the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Institute to bring this program into our region.
“NewAccess coaches are drawing on clients’ instinctive capacity for individual resilience and the program integrates well with Western Queensland PHN’s stepped care approach.”
NewAccess will launch in Roma on February 22, Mount Isa on February 26 and Longreach on February 28
To register or to find out more about NewAccess in Mount Isa call 1300 672 273 or visit beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess
