Capital Health Network

Next Step is a primary mental health stepped care program. In a stepped care model, a person seeking support receives services matched to their needs on entry as well as throughout their journey through the service. CHN fund CatholicCare and Woden Community Services to provide Next Step, a free, confidential, evidence-based intensive psychological support service for people experiencing mild, moderate and severe mental health issues. Services are offered across the stepped care continuum by a trained clinical and non-clinical workforce. Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), participants are taught how to change unhelpful or difficult feelings or behaviours.

Benefits of Next Step include:

• free access and support for people who are unable to access other services where cost is a barrier
• online, telephone and face-to-face services in various locations across the ACT
• referrals accepted by individuals, GPs and other health care professionals.

Despite the challenges of bushfires and COVID-19, service continuity has been constant and demand for the program has steadily increased. Over the last year:

• 1,301 clients experiencing mild, moderate or severe mental health concerns received free support through Next Step (a 19% increase compared to the previous year).
• 2,166 sessions of low-intensity service and 3,348 sessions of high-intensity service were delivered.

The service is in the process of expanding to deliver low intensity psychological intervention to Residential Aged Care Facilities within specific geographical locations in the ACT.

Testimonials

“The Next Step program and my therapist helped me get back on my feet. I feel in control of my mental health and now have the tools to keep it there. My therapist was a kind and compassionate person, she helped me make a safe space for me to open up and get the help I needed.”

“To regain a sense of self-worth is indescribable. That’s what I’ve gained, as well as the ability to accept that not all things are MY FAULT. I’ve been given great tools to help me move forward, show how to look for “red flags” and given the tools to approach them too. I believe the Next Step program, and more specifically my coach, truly saved my life. Thank you.”

“I feel positive about this program and my future because I will have the caring support and tools I need to get well again.”