Executive Director update
Hello everyone.
The start of 2025 marked one year since One Door merged with Mind Australia and The Haven Foundation to form the Mind Australia Group, one of the largest community managed mental health and wellbeing service specialists in Australia. Following this merger, I am excited to announce my new position as Executive Director One Door and Group Transformation, effective 1 January 2025. I will continue leading the important services of One Door in NSW and supporting the transformation strategy for the Mind Australia Group.
I would like to invite you to join us at the One Door Mental Health Symposium on Thursday, 15th May 2025, at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park. For over 20 years, the One Door Symposium has been a forum for leading advocates, researchers, and practitioners to present research and workshop insights to achieve meaningful change in the mental health sector. This year, following our merger, we are proud to host our annual symposium alongside the Mind Australia's Stratford Lecture, in Sydney. These complementary thought leadership events will represent our shared commitment to supporting people living with mental health challenges, and positively contributing to sector reform - a key factor in our decision to join forces in 2024. Early bird tickets are now available here.
In early February, we bid farewell to my dear friend and One Door Chief Financial Officer, Patrick Kerlin. Over the past three years, Patrick has provided great guidance and stewardship of One Door. On behalf of myself and the whole One Door community, I would like to thank Patrick for his passion, intellect and heart. He will be missed.
You may have seen recent media reports about the resignation of many senior psychiatrists in the NSW public sector in late January. The impact of losing these highly qualified specialists is already visible, with the estimated closure of several mental health wards at major Sydney hospitals. One Door continues to advocate, alongside others in the sector, for increased investment in mental health services and reform. While the concerns over the availability of medical treatment are justified, support is still available through a range of means.
Services available to those in acute crisis include:
- Safe Havens: Culturally sensitive spaces for people experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts to find support from peers or a mental health professional.
- Hotlines: Various hotlines such as the Suicide Callback Hotline (1300 659 467), Lifeline (13 11 14), the Mental Health Line (1800 011 511) and 13YARN (for mob experiencing distress)
General support services include:
- The Butterfly Foundation: Support for people experiencing an eating disorder.
- Here: Resources for LGBTQIA+ folks experiencing distress, developed by ACON.
- Headspace: Support for youth aged 12-25, including in-person and remote options.
- Men’s Line: Counselling and information for men to improve their wellbeing and relationships.
- Support Groups: Clinical and non-clinical support groups, such as One Door Mental Health, Grow, Discharged (online), and SANE.
One Door Support Services
- Primary Integrated Care Supports: Free service in Central and Eastern Sydney PHN integrating mental health services with general practices.
- Clinical Suicide Prevention Service: Urgent support for those who have recently attempted suicide or have persistent suicidal thoughts in South West Sydney.
- You in Mind: Free psychological therapies and non-clinical peer support for people with, or at risk of, a diagnosed mental illness in eligible population groups within South Western Sydney.
- Telephone, Referral Information and Support Service: TRISS can provide you with information and support if you are living with mental challenges or are a carer, friend, or family member.
Our Primary Integrated Care Supports (PICS) program launched a new video to showcase their peer-led services. I encourage you to take a moment to watch it and hear about this unique program directly from our participants and staff - watch it here.
Late last year, The One Door Fellowship marked it’s one year anniversary. The One Door Fellowship was established in late 2023 to create a community of action for people living with mental health challenges, and their families, carers and supporters, to amplify their voices, perspectives and experiences. Happy birthday to the Fellowship program!
The Australian Government has announced the rebranding of all Head to Health mental health centres. This includes our Canterbury Head to Health, which has been renamed Canterbury Medicare Mental Health Centre this week. There will be no changes to services as a result of this renaming. The Centre will continue to provide a safe and welcoming space for Western Sydney locals to access free and confidential walk-in mental health information and support without needing a referral, Medicare card or appointment.
Until next time …