Support Hotline opens for vulnerable Queenslanders in COVID-19 quarantine

Queenslanders in home quarantine as a result of COVID-19 will be able to access advice, information and support through the Queensland Government’s Community Recovery Hotline.

Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke today (21 March) announced the hotline has been activated by the Palaszczuk Government to support people who have been advised to quarantine at home by a medical professional, Queensland Health or through government direction.

“Most Queenslanders have been self-reliant and made their own arrangements for their period of quarantine,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“However, we know that some people who are in quarantine aren’t able to organise the delivery of essential food and medications they may need.

“These Queenslanders are now able to phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

“Our staff will be able to work with partner organisations to arrange non-contact delivery of essential food and medication to people in quarantine who have no other means of support.

‘The Community Recovery Hotline may also be used by people who chose to self-isolate to ask for social and emotional telephone support. 

Mrs O’Rourke said the Community Recovery Hotline was currently intended to help the most vulnerable Queenslanders in quarantine.

“At this time the hotline is only for people in quarantine, and only for those who have no other support mechanisms,” she said.

“Queenslanders who require health advice or information while in quarantine or self-isolation should call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84 or visit health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus ( http://www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus ).”

For more information visit https://www.qld.gov.au/communitY./disasters-emergencies/queensland-disasters/novel-coronavirus­covid-19 ( https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/queensland-disasters/novel-coronavirus-covid-19 )

ENDS

Media Enquires Contact:
Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389,
Minister O’Rourke’s Office (07) 3719 7170

Pictured: Federal Member for Longman,Terry Young, and Lives Lived Well Chair, Damian Wright, cutting the ribbon to officially open Wunya

New 20-bed centre of recovery providing drug and alcohol support in Caboolture

Not-for-profit organisation, Lives Lived Well, has today officially launched Wunya, a new live-in alcohol and drug recovery centre in Caboolture, servicing the Moreton Bay region.

The 20-bed recovery centre was made possible thanks to Commonwealth Government funding, which was allocated in response to strong demand for Lives Lived Well’s support services that have been offered within the community for three years.

The $11 million in funding allowed for the establishment of Wunya, as well as an expansion of Lives Lived Well’s Caboolture-based counselling teams and the addition of day withdrawal and rehabilitation group programs.

In 2018-19, Lives Lived Well supported 2232 people across its range of services in Caboolture, Strathpine, Redcliffe and Morayfield.

Speaking at today’s launch was Federal Member for Longman, Terry Young. Mr Young said he was pleased to see the centre open for those in the community who needed help with drug and alcohol misuse.

“This centre will be a vital asset in our fight to stamp out drug and alcohol issues within the community of Longman, and make recovery possible,” Mr Young said.

“It will change the lives of so many people who are struggling to cope with these issues and allow them a second chance at a better and healthier life. The Morrison Government is passionate about winning the battle against drugs and I am proud that we could contribute to making this wonderful centre possible.”

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the opening of Wunya completed a comprehensive suite of support services for the region, which also included State-funded family support.

“What we’re now able to provide in Caboolture is rather unique in that we can tailor our support to meet people’s needs at different stages of their recovery.

“For instance, a person could start with us in day withdrawal and then transition into more intensive support at Wunya or in day rehabilitation. Afterwards, they could continue to access ongoing support through our free counselling and support services in the community.

“This continuous model of care gives people the best chance of long-lasting recovery.”

Located at 55 Lower King Street, Wunya offers a six-week, structured, research-backed, live-in program with a focus on education, wellness and life skills for people aged 18 years and over. The centre has a team of psychologists, social workers, counsellors and a nurse.

“We believe that with the right support people can bring about positive change,” Mr Giles said. “We are pleased that those seeking help in Caboolture and surrounds will be able to access a variety of support to help them in living healthier and happier lives free from the harms of problematic substance use.”

For all media enquiries contact:

Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e [email protected] or [email protected]

Pictured: Lives Lived Well Lighthouse team

Lighthouse, a new community-based treatment service for young people with severe and/or complex mental health needs.

Lives Lived Well has launched Lighthouse, a new community based mental health treatment service on the Gold Coast, designed to provide long-term clinical support for young people with severe and/or complex mental health needs.

Funded by Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN), the service was officially launched on Friday 11 October, during Mental Health Week. Speakers at the launch included Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles and GCPHN Director of Commissioning (Programs) Libby Carr.

Mr Giles said that the multi-disciplinary Lighthouse team would work with young people, aged 12 to 18, providing longer term support to help them better manage the impacts and symptoms of past complex trauma and to work towards creating positive life changes.

Mr Giles added: “The young people who come to Lighthouse will be reaching out for help and with the aim of charting a different course in their lives, we are pleased we can be there with the long-term, best practice clinical care that they need.”

Lighthouse would not have been possible without the funding support from Gold Coast Primary Health Network.

Launching the program at Woolloongabba, Mr Bailey said the expanded program and new service space would make a significant difference to the lives of many in the community.

Gold Coast Primary Health Network CEO Matt Carrodus said the Australian Government Department of Health has provided $2 million dollars over four years to fund the new service.

“We believe this funding will help to make a huge difference in the lives of our young people,” Mr Carrodus said.

“Gold Coast Primary Health Network plays a key role in identifying the current and future health needs of local residents. We had determined that that there is a gap in services for young people with severe and complex mental health needs who require long-term treatment in the community, which this service will address.

“I would like to encourage GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, primary health and community support services, schools or the families of young people who may require assistance, to contact Lighthouse,” Mr Carrodus said.

To find out more about the Lighthouse service, based at Southport, visit www.liveslivedwell.org.au or call 07 5699 8248. Lives Lived Well is also the lead agency for headspace Southport.

For all media enquiries contact:

Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e [email protected] or [email protected]

Pictured: (from left) Queensland Minister Mark Bailey, Lives Lived Well Chair Damian Wright, Brisbane South’s Day Program team and Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles

Lives Lived Well has expanded its free and recovery-based Non-Residential Rehabilitation Day Program to three more locations, namely South Brisbane, Toowoomba and Mackay, providing these communities with more options in alcohol and drug treatment.

The Day Program allows people to participate in a more in-depth “treatment” while remaining at home, which differs from a residential service where there would be a need to “live-in” and stay overnights, making it an accessible option for more people.

The program’s expansion is thanks to additional funding from the Queensland Government.

On Friday 21 June 2019, Minister for Transport and Roads, the Honourable Mark Bailey, on behalf of the State Government, launched the Day Program in Woolloongabba at an official event, which also marked the opening of a new Lives Lived Well service at 223 Logan Road.

Not-for-profit, Lives Lived Well has had a long association with Brisbane’s greater south region through its Logan House residential program. It also now provides alcohol and drug counselling and case management services in Beenleigh and Beaudesert and has recently opened the Logan House Family Recovery Units.

Launching the program at Woolloongabba, Mr Bailey said the expanded program and new service space would make a significant difference to the lives of many in the community.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support Lives Lived Well as part of a $43 million, five-year investment in alcohol and other drug treatment programs, part of the Connecting Care to Recovery plan,” Mr Bailey said.

“The Lives Lived Well program plays an important role alongside our $19 billion investment in health for 2019/20 to make sure Queenslanders have access to the support they need.”

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles thanked the State Government for its ongoing support and for making it possible to offer the group-based Day Program in more communities.

“Lives Lived Well’s Day Program offers more intensive support than that usually offered in community settings and is an alternative for those unable to commit to ‘living-in’ a residential program – it is a bridge between the two,” Mr Giles said.

“Participants attend weekdays and return home at the end of each day. The program that is offered reflects the best available evidence of what works in support of people seeking to manage a problem with alcohol or drugs.”

For all media enquiries contact:

Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e [email protected] or [email protected]