Community Engagement Hub

As the year draws to a close, we would like to thank our co-locating partners and the community for an amazing 2024 at Gladstone Mindcare!

While we are closed for the festive season, we know that it can be a difficult time for some, below are resources that will be open during this time.

In an emergency, contact 000 (24hrs)

Lifeline - 13 11 14 (24hrs)

Suicide Callback Service - 1300 659 467 (24hrs)

1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 (24hrs)

headspace (12-25yo) - 1800 650 890 (9am-1am AEST)

13YARN - 13 92 76 (24hrs)

Mental Health Triage Service 1300 MH CALL - 1300 64 22 55 (24hrs)

Gladstone Mindcare was selected as one of three finalists in the State at the Queensland Mental Health Commission's Queensland Mental Health Achievement Awards in the small not for profit category.

Our Coordinator, Dani and Board Director, Michelle travelled to Brisbane for the awards event and while we didn't secure the win, this recognition at a State-wide level highlights the important work we do to support mental health in the Gladstone community.

Where: Sunflower Room, Gladstone Mindcare

When: Thursday 21st June

Time: 10am-12pm

Please contact Bianca 4970 6130 for further information and registration.

Where: Sunflower Room, Gladstone Mindcare Hub.

When: Thursday 15th June.

Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Cost: $20.00 per person, per group.

Registrations are required and numbers are limited.

For further enquires and to register, please contact Sam 0492 954 914

http:// https://www.facebook.com/MindfulSandsCounselling/

Youth Insearch are an independent not-for-profit organisation that is governed by a professional, committed and forward-thinking board.

THE MODEL

The Youth Insearch program is designed and delivered with youth that are supported by expert adults. Through the Place Based Model staff work in young people’s communities with local partners to support young people to recover and reconnect with their community.

The program comprises modules centred around individual Case Management, Weekend Workshops, Support Groups and Leadership Training. Currently the program runs in 39 communities across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, and employs 46 staff and 120 volunteers who support over 500 at-risk youth to create their own better future.

THE FOCUS

Our purpose is to empower young people to take control of their lives and play a positive role in society. To achieve this, our proven program addresses disadvantaged youths’ underlying mental and social challenges, to overcome their trauma and reconnect with services and society.

The Youth Insearch Program

The Youth Insearch program is designed to empower young people to overcome their challenges. The program is delivered with youth, supported by expert adults. The program comprises modules centred around individual support, weekend workshops, and weekly support groups. Our programs are peer-led and delivered by young leaders with lived experience, who have been through the Youth Insearch program and completed our 12-month leadership program.

Youth Insearch Leadership Development Program

The Youth Insearch Leadership Development program is designed to help young people develop their skills as a leader, while further extending their self-awareness and personal development skills.

The program builds on communication and problem-solving skills including; public speaking and presentation, conflict resolution and breaking habits. It facilitates strategies for resilience and managing triggers and it incorporates learning from professional community leaders and mentors.

The 12-month course consists of 3 stages of three-day residential workshops and an ongoing 12-month practical training and assessment program. Each participant makes life-long impactful learning and connections and embarks on a successful journey delivering Youth Insearch weekend workshops, supported by expert adults.

We were proud and excited to host Karen's exhibition for the second year, here at Gladstone Mindcare. This years exhibition titled "Healing of the Soul" has been paramount in her journey towards recovery after her recent experiences of grief and trauma. Karen uses a wide variety of meduims in her works and honors the creative process as it helps her express her emotions and she says it's what brings her stories to life.

Karen has previously had paintings selected for display in the prestigious Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum in both 1010 and 2021, and alos in the Agnes Water Art Show in 2021.

It's been our pleasure watching Karen grow and build her confidence, both in her Art and personally and we look forward to seeing what comes next.

MEDIA RELEASE

Gladstone Mindcare partners with TGG to deliver co-designed Mental Health Champion training and coaching

RELEASE DATE: 17 October 2022 Email: theteam@theguineagroup.com.au

In 2022, The Guinea Group (TGG) partnered with Gladstone Mindcare to deliver the Unleash the Mental Health Champion Within program.

Funded by Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, the program provided training and coaching for 15 people who were recruited for their passion and dedication to improving mental health and wellbeing in the Gladstone community.

Unleash the Mental Health Champion Within involved a four-month leadership and mentoring program to develop and provide skills for mental health leaders and advocates in the Gladstone region. These leaders gained the skills, knowledge, ongoing support, and resources they needed to become workplace and community mental health champions.

“While the primary focus of this program was on improving the mental health and wellbeing of the Gladstone community through the training and development of Mental Health Champions, which is has definitely achieved, it has also created a collaborative network of awesome individuals who are keen to create positive change within the mental health space,” said Gladstone Mindcare Coordinator, Dani Appleby.

Gladstone Mindcare’s mission is to promote improved mental health and wellbeing by empowering our community through education, information, and connectivity to achieve our vision of a community that is mentally well, resilient and stigma free.

The program has recently been completed, and Gladstone Mindcare and TGG have received great feedback from all participants. It is having a significant impact on the participants, giving them an increased knowledge and confidence to engage with others as mental health champions.

Mental Health Champion, Julie Morgan, said, “This was something so worthwhile, and it was such a great environment to learn, connect and collaborate together.” Bjay Wooldrige, another program participant said, “This is one of the best things I’ve done!”

As a local business, TGG is an advocate of mental health champion programs, and was grateful to be able to partner with Gladstone Mindcare to deliver such an important program.

What a success, the day was a hoot! We kicked off with a beautiful Welcome to Country, which was followed by a great presentation from Keynote Speaker and Life coach Alicia Anne Wade. Everyone enjoyed the various craft activites provided by CQWA and the stall holders provided us with some vital information about local services and some great wellbeing tips. After our delicious lunch, we enjoyed a good old belly laugh provided by Internationally Award Winning Comedian Jenny Wynter, im sure anyone who attended will agree it was fantastic!

Thank you to Gladstone Regional Council, Calliope QCWA and Together Gladstone for your support - We appreciate you!

We can all make a difference in the lives of those who might be struggling by having regular, meaningful conversations about life 's ups and downs.
If you feel like something’s not quite the same with someone you know – there’s something going on in their life or you notice a change in what they’re doing or saying - trust that gut instinct and take the time to ask them “Are you OK?”

If you need professional support, please contact your doctor, local health centre or one of the services listed below. Family and friends can also call upon these services for advice and assistance on how to support someone who is struggling with life.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, please seek assistance by contacting your trusted healthcare professional or calling Lifeline on 13 11 14 .

If you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others, seek immediate assistance by calling Triple Zero (000) .

It's with much excitement that we welcome our newest co-locating partner - Indigenous Workstars!

Indigenous Workstars is a full service recruitment agency which specialises in the placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into meaningful employment, offering a suite of services for both jobseekers and employers to ensure the very best outcomes for both candidates and clients.

Having now placed well over 1,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into employment across Australia, Indigenous Workstars is working tirelessly towards values of reconciliation and seeing Australia’s First People realize their full potential.

Indigenous Workstars is a great addition to the Gladstone Mindcare Hub, value adding to the diverse service offerings within the Hub.

Are you passionate about improving the mental health and wellbeing of the Gladstone community by serving as a role model for breaking down stigma, raising community awareness and sharing information? Become a Mental Health Champion!

Express your Interest here: https://casi.engagementhub.com.au/community-engagement-hub-/survey/expression-of-interest-gladstone-mindcare-mental-health-champion

Gladstone Mindcare and The Guinea Group will be delivering a four month leadership and mentoring program that will provide attendees with a range of skills, knowledge and ongoing support to become mental health champions. The program will include:

- Mental Health Championing: What is mental health first aid, and what does in mean to be a mental health champion?

- Resilience: How resilient are you currently, and what does your resilience profile show as development opportunities?

- Speaking in Public: Dealing with our own mental health is about dealing with fear, like the fear of public speaking.

- Leadership under Pressure: How good are you at controlling your cortisol, and managing your own emotional response to situations?

We recently celebrated our first birthday and we're really proud of what we've achieved in our first year.

• Purchase of building and two stages of refurbishment works
• 109 people supported to access support
• 2,204 people visited the hub to receive support or participate in groups
• 23 free events
• 65 community members trained in Mental Health First Aid
• 153 meetings/groups hosted
• 12 co-locating partners and visitng services under the one roof

Thank you to McCosker Contracting, Here for Gladstone, Gladstone Foundation and everyone who has contributed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of our community.

Our journey has just begun and we look forward to continuing to promote improved mental health and wellbeing for our community.

We want you to stay connected with your service providers.

Here at Gladstone Mindcare we realise accessing telehealth appointments isn't always that simple.

We have set up a FREE telehealth space with a laptop and internet that's available for you to book, so you won't miss out on your appointments and can continue to receive support.

Contact us to book a space.

This week we welcomed Sarah, our new Administration Officer.

Sarah is the friendly face you will see when you visit us at Gladstone Mindcare.

A bit about Sarah - she is a mum to three awesome humans, loves knitting and going to the beach. Sarah is excited to become part of the Gladstone Mindcare team and be involved in improving the mental health and wellbeing of our community.

On 12 October 2021 we held our Qld Mental Health Week event - Community Connect.

16 service providers / community groups came together to provide a wonderful day filled with connection, promotion of improved mental health and wellbeing, celebration of recovery journeys and fun.

The event kicked off with Welcome to Country by Uncle Richard Johnson followed by art exhibition opening of talented local artist Karen Delaney (you still have the opportunity to come in to see Karen's artwork over the next month). Local busker, Darrell Dower donated his time and talent to create atmosphere for us with live music and a free sausage sizzle by Movement Day Gladstone.

Thank you to everyone who attended, we hope you had a great time and have increased awareness of things you can do to take care of your mental health and wellbeing.

We are keen to hear your thoughts on what activities you would like to see offered at the Gladstone Mindcare Hub for you to participate in. Do you like arts and crafts, connecting over a BBQ, playing boardgames - we are open to all ideas!
Scroll to the bottom of this page and submit your ideas on our Idea Wall or send us a message.

This week we welcome our new co-locating partner - Centre for Play Therapy. Centre for Play Therapy provides child-centred counselling services to children and young people between the ages of 2-12 years and is committed to 'helping children heal through play'. We are thrilled to see this extra support for young children available in the Gladstone region. You can find out more about Centre for Play Therapy and our other co-locating partners here.

The Gladstone Mindcare Hub was officially launched this week.  We celebrated this milestone with our supporters and service providers, showing them around and recognising their valuable contributions to making the Gladstone Mindcare Hub possible.  The plaque recognising the Gladstone Foundation was unveiled and a number of guest speakers from Here for Gladstone, Collective Action Social Impact Board, a Community member and the Gladstone Foundation all spoke about the journey to get to this exciting time where we are able to open our doors to the public and the importance of Gladstone Mindcare in promoting improved mental health and wellbing by empowering our community through education, information and connectivity. Thank you to everyone who came to help us celebrate.

We are excited to launch our new website. But this is not just any website, it’s an online community where the residents of Gladstone can engage with us and each other, become Changemakers by getting involved in our work to improve mental health, alcohol and other drugs for our region and obtain information, advice and referral to support.  Explore our site, register and get involved!

We are excited to announce that refurbishment works have commenced to fit out the Gladstone Mindcare Hub in preparation to open to the Gladstone community.  Following community consultation and planning, these works will see the building transform into a safe and inclusive community centre with space for social connection and health promotion activities, installation of Disability accessible amenities and consult rooms and offices.

Our first Working Bee was held on Saturday, 10 October 2020 with 31 people coming to volunteer their time, effort and energy.  It was a wonderful, family oriented day where we worked together to make the Gladstone Mindcare Hub beautiful. We are so very grateful for the help and support and look forward to continuing to work together to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the Gladstone community.

We will be holding further Working Bees in the near future and welcome anyone who would like to lend a hand to make this community space a place where everyone contributes, matters and belongs.