A new purpose-designed Safe Haven has been officially opened in Parkes, providing refuge and support to people living in Western NSW who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress.
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Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor, said the Parkes-based Safe Haven is part of a state-wide initiative to trial innovative suicide prevention strategies.
"This is about providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for people overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts and feelings," she said.
"We know that if we can be there to provide support before someone needs to be hospitalised, we can help reduce the likelihood of further suicidal behaviours.
"Whether you need some peace and quiet, a chat with someone who understands what you're going through, or some calming activities to reduce the intensity of your negative thoughts and feelings, you can walk right in.
"Importantly, the Safe Haven is staffed by peer workers with lived experience of suicidal distress who can empathise with anyone who walks through the doors and help them to identify services that can support them on an ongoing basis," said Mrs Taylor.
Wiradjuri elder, Uncle Neil Ingram from Condobolin, gave the Welcome to Country at the opening and explained the meaning of the name 'Walumarra Dungal' for the facility.
Essentially Walumarra Dungal means to protect, to be a guardian and support - which is exactly what people going through a mental health crisis need when they are out their words.
Mrs Taylor was a nurse for over 20 years in Cooma before moving into politics because, as she put it, 'we didn't have enough services in Cooma and I wanted to make sure things happened'.
She described the opening of the new mental health facility as 'very exciting' and 'game-changing', and said
"When it comes to mental health, we need to talk more about services," she said.
"We can talk about beds and hospitals and we know they are really important, but this today is what really matters.
"It's about having the courage to try different approaches to care and about listening to the mental health commissioner's report...we need to make sure the community feels safe and know that there are services out there," said Mrs Taylor.
Mrs Taylor also told of a story from the Safe Haven in Campbelltown where a man with suicidial thoughts described the facility as 'saving his life'.
It really does highlight just how important mental health services are, particularly in a time where many are struggle with the impacts of the COVID pandemic.
Hospitals in regional NSW should be a last resort and a facility like this could indeed save the lives of people in the Parkes region, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Sam Farraway, said the new Safe Haven offers an alternative to a busy, stressful emergency department.
"This Safe Haven is for everyone, there is no referral required and anyone can drop in during opening hours," he said.
The Parkes-based Safe Haven was designed with input from people with lived experience of suicidal distress, and is open Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm to anyone experiencing this.
It is a free and confidential service.
Helen McFarlane, the Western NSW Local Health District's acting executive director of mental health, said feedback on the services offered, from people who have accessed them and their families, has been overwhelmingly positive.
"The Parkes Safe Haven began operating on November 30 and it's exciting to officially launch the facility," she said.
"The feedback we have received so far has been really good and it's encouraging to know we are providing this additional support for our community."
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The NSW Government has invested $25.1 million for the Safe Haven initiative, which contributes to the Towards Zero Suicides Premier's Priority.
For more information on Parkes-based Safe Haven, please visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/towardszerosuicides/Pages/safe-haven.aspx
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
- NSW Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511
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