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CHN Annual Report 2020-21 Mental Health Mental health support: Next Step

The ACT has experienced increased demand for health care service delivery for people experiencing mild to severe mental illness and complex mental health issues. There is a need for services to improve suicide prevention and address service gaps in the provision of psychological therapies for people in underserviced and hard to reach populations.

CHN, ACT’s PHN commissioned a range of local organisations to provide much-needed free mental health support for Canberrans. One such program is NextStep which provides free and confidential psychological support services. Clients presenting with symptoms are assessed and then ‘stepped’ into a low or high intensity mental health service that best suits their needs. Services are offered by trained clinical and non-clinical workforces who provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help participants work through difficult times in their life that impact the way they function day to day.

The Next Step program serviced over 1,500 clients in 2020/21, driving improved mental health outcomes for people across the ACT with mild to severe mental health issues, while improving capacity of the local workforce to support and assist people with mental illness. Demand for service delivery has increased by 16% (compared to the previous financial year) and the program has successfully adapted to social distancing and other requirements of COVID-19 for continuous service delivery without any disruptions.

CHN Next Step Mental Health Triage and Intake Assistants Janelle Holstein (left) and Patrick Hayes with the YOGIE 2020 Award which Next Step won for “Excellence in implementation of evidence informed practice”.

Testimonials

“The large number of sessions has helped to strengthen the strategies I have learned and the understanding I have of my mental health issues. My therapist was professional, warm and worked in consideration of my background and mental health needs. I feel lucky to have been engaged with the program as well as my therapist, as I have an improved quality of life and feel hope for a better future. I can only say thank you for making this program possible.”

“Through the considered goal-setting and achievement process I have discovered that I can improve my ‘situation,’ and in fact have made good progress already. I am confident in my ability and intention to continue work on my mammoth task using the same ‘formula’ for success.”

“I truly believe the therapy I have received has saved mine and my son’s life. I felt helpless and without a future I could see. From simply having someone concentrate on me and my need and make me realise my actions and reactions can change the outcome of my situation. That I am important and need to take time out for me.”

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