Capital Health Network

Through the National Psychosocial Support Measure, CHN funded two services in the ACT to provide recovery-focused psychosocial supports to people with severe mental illness:

• Woden Community Service’s New Path Program – an early intervention recovery program supporting people whose ability to manage daily activities and to live independently in the community has been seriously affected by their mental health issues. Over the past year, 130 referrals were received into the service.
• Flourish’s Bloom Healthy Living Program – a recovery-based service with a peer led program to support people with severe mental health issues build life skills, maintain their health, engage in education, volunteering or employment and manage finances. Over the past year, 63 referrals were received into the service.

Minister for Health, The Hon Greg Hunt MP with Lauren Anthes, A/g CHN Chief Executive at the launch of the National Psychosocial Support Measure in the ACT.

Adam, Bloom Healthy Living Program Support Worker, says that 50% of their support workers have lived experience of a mental health issue which they draw from as part of their day-to-day role in a skillful and purposeful way.

Testimonials

100% of Woden Community Service’s New Path participants said they’d recommend the service to others with severe mental illness.

“I have benefited a lot over the last couple months from the support offered by the New Path service. At weekly meetings my case worker has helped me with practical stuff like routine management, sleep scheduling and journaling. She has also provided a number of great tools and resources online and kept me informed about positive psycho-social events I may be interested in. Beyond the practical aspects, New Path has also been helpful with processing difficult moods and thoughts by providing a space for open discussion,” said a New Path participant.

“Flourish is one of the most consistent and dedicated support agencies in my recovery, …., I have enjoyed the diversity of people I spent time with and value their lived experience,” said a Bloom Healthy Living Program participant.