Having mental health issues? Visit Cathy Smith for a coffee and a chat
NDIS provider Go Getter hopes its new office can act as another point of contact for Murray Bridge residents who need help.
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Christmas can be a lonely or a stressful time, a time when the things that simmer away in the back of our minds suddenly reach boiling point.
When that happens, we need somewhere to turn.
Cathy Smith hopes that this old house on Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge can be one such place.
The local office of National Disability Insurance Scheme provider Go Getter officially opened last Wednesday.
Ms Smith hoped it would provide not just a work space for her team, but a meeting place for their 50 clients and anyone else who might need to drop in and chat about their mental health.
“The need for any kind of support in the community is high,” she said.
“Loneliness is such a barrier.
“Christmas can be a tough time for a lot of people.”
Go Getter director Melissa Sutcliffe said some of those people might not realise that a psycho-social condition might qualify them for support under the NDIS.
She encouraged people in that position to come in and have a chat in the new year.
“We intend for this place to be ... a place people can come when they want to feel safe,” she said.
“If they’re feeling overwhelmed and want to see someone, we’ll have (people) available.”
Ms Smith said anyone who wanted to come in for a coffee and a chat would be welcome.
Others have made the case for a mental health drop-in centre in Murray Bridge this year, particularly with the success of Headspace’s new drop-in service model for young people.
While that’s not explicitly what Go Getter will provide, it will be one more place adults will be able to go, alongside GP clinics and services such as the Murray Mallee GP Network and Skylight.
That could only be a positive.
- More information: Call 1300 010 008 or visit Go Getter at 100 Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge after January 4.
- Get immediate help: Talk to your GP, visit www.sane.org, or call Lifelife on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636; or, in an emergency, call 000.
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