ABOVE: Centre is Minister Bronnie Taylor and Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow at the Woodburn Safe Haven. Photos: Contributed
A special space called a Safe Haven has been created in Woodburn.
It is a calm space with comfy seats next to a window facing out onto the Richmond River at the Woodburn Visitors Centre. It is a place where people can go to talk to trained staff, have a chat and a cuppa or get a referral.
Four Safe Haven sites were opened today, Wednesday, July 27 to provide free mental health support seven days a week.
The sites are at Woodburn, Lismore, Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the four Safe Havens were part of the State Government’s $25 million mental health and wellbeing flood recovery package.
The Safe Havens offer safe, calm, supportive and non-judgemental spaces for people in the community who may be experiencing mental health distress, Ms Taylor said. The haven gives them a place to seek support.
“Instead of struggling alone or heading to a bustling emergency department, anyone who is experiencing mental health distress can now head to one of these purpose-designed Safe Havens,” she said.
“There are no appointments or referrals needed, so whether you need some peace and quiet, a chat with someone who understands what you’re going through, or some calming activities to reduce the intensity of your negative thoughts and feelings, you can walk right in.
“Each Safe Haven is staffed with peer workers with lived experience of suicidal behaviour, which means they are able to empathise and form a unique connection with people when they are at their most vulnerable.”
No booking is required, simply turn up and talk to Safe Haven staff.
Healthy North Coast set up the havens with local organisation The Buttery’s clinical staff at each site to support anyone who walks in.
Healthy North Coast’s Julie Sturgess said many people were focused on the basics right now, but “we are also seeing great demand for mental health support to catch those in immediate distress or who might be feeling overwhelmed”.
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