Southside Mental Health Collaborative Flood Response

Directory February 2011

Contents List Page No.

1) Purpose and intention of this Directory 1
2) Southside Mental Health Agencies 1
3) Links to peak bodies and other directories 5
4) General Health and Mental Health Resources 5
5) Links to specialist Disaster Management and Response Agencies 6
6) Counselling and support agencies 6
7) Social and community resources 7
8) Carer agencies and resources 7
9) Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background ( CALDB) services and
resources 8
10) Alcohol and Drug Information agencies and resources 8
11) Insurance contacts and advocacy issues 9
12) Legal services and information sources 9
13) Tenancy Law Advice/Assistance 9
14) Housing Assistance 10
15) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies and resources 10

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1) Purpose and Intention of this Directory
A special meeting of the Southside Mental Health Collaborative was held to scope
the needs, resources and responses we could make to the January 2011 flood event
in Brisbane. One idea was to collate and distribute information relevant to the longer-
term support and information needs of affected community members.
This directory is intended to complement other sources of information produced in
the immediate aftermath of the floods and to be a resource for human service
organisations and mental health agencies.
The Collaborative is an initiative of community based mental health organisations,
Metro South QLD Health, Brisbane South Division of General Practice and
individuals who all work to improve the mental health of the Brisbane South
community. The medium to longer-term impacts of the flood on the well-being of our
diverse communities is likely to be a challenge for existing structures of mental
health service delivery. The Collaborative is striving towards increased cooperation
and coordination among members to creatively meet the needs of our communities
to enhance resilience and connections.

2) Southside Mental Health Agencies members of the Collaborative

 Aftercare - www.aftercare.com.au. National organisation providing support

to people with intellectual disability and mental illness. Aftercare exists in
order to support people with mental disorders live a valued life in their chosen
communities through the provision of high quality and timely services that
encourage participation and collaboration. Programs in various locations
across QLD.
PhAMS program (Personal Helpers and Mentors). Inner Brisbane South
PHaMs (QLD) Geoff Larcombe (Team Leader) - 07 3249 3800

 Anam Cara - www.anamcara.org.au Anam Cara is a Gaelic word meaning

supportive friend and is a service of Centacare. Its mission is to support
individuals and communities to enhance skills and encourage participation in
a range of activities, events and programs, which assist people to maintain a
state of mental well being. It provides services to people who use mental
health services, people with disabilities, disadvantaged groups, people from
diverse cultural backgrounds, and other community members through
self/community awareness education programs, social networks and through
formal and informal connections in local communities. Many clients supported
are in receipt of a Disability Services funding packages such as P300, ALSP,
HASP. Moorooka Qld Phone: (07) 3392 7626
Email: anamacara@bne.centacare.net.au

 Benevolent Society - www.bensoc.org.au A range of programs in NSW

and QLD. The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMs) is an
outreach service that provides one-to-one support to empower participants to
become more self-reliant, access support services and build social
connections. A mental health PhAMS program is based at Logan 07 3290
1669.
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 Brook RED Centre www.brookred.org.au Highgate Hill and Macgregor 07
3343 9282 Contact: Helena Roennfeldt. The Brook RED Centre is a Peer
Operated Service providing a range of activities and supports for people who
identify as having or having had a personal experience of a mental health
concern or illness or has used mental health services for their own need.

 Centacare www.centacarebrisbane.net.au The Resident Support Program

aims to improve the quality of life for people who are frail aged and younger
people with a disability living in private residential services such as supported
accommodation (hostels), boarding houses and aged rental accommodation.
The Resident Support Program will create opportunities for social contact
within the local community, improved access to health care services and a
level of personal care for individuals. PA District 07 33436317 Jill Severinsen

 Commonwealth Carelink Directory www.commcarelink.health.gov.au 1800

052 222 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres are information
centres for older people, people with disabilities including mental illness and
those who provide care and services. Centres provide free and confidential
information on community aged care, disability and other support services
available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia.

 Divisions of GP –
Brisbane South Division www.brisbanesouth.com.au. Covers 89
General Practices in the Brisbane South Region. Brisbane South
coordinates various mental health programs and initiatives, including Better
Outcomes in Mental Health (ATAPS), Better Access to Mental Health Care,
General Practice Liaison Assessment, Mental Health Nurse Initiative and the
National Suicide Prevention Program. For more information, contact Carmel
McNeill, Program Manager - Mental Health, on (07) 3274 1886.
South East Alliance of General Practice (SEA- GP) www.seagp.org.au
The Alliance is involved in various mental health initiatives including the Better
Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative, Access to Psychological Services
Project and Shared Care. Ph Mental health project officer (07) 3390 2466
Divisions of GP can assist with information to access counselling program
ATAPS (Access to Allied Psychological Services). Under the ATAPS
initiative, Divisions of General Practice are funded to deliver psychological
services, at no or low cost to patients. Medicare-based mental health services
under the Better Access Initiative are already available to flood impacted
Queenslanders through existing funding arrangements. An announcement
about the outcome of applications for further ATAPS funding to be made
available for people affected by the floods (who do not necessarily have a
mental health diagnosis) is expected by mid March.

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 FSG Australia www.fsg.org.au. Multiple sites and program areas in SE
QLD. Mental health include the following models of service: Project 300;
Transitional Recovery (people returning to the community after a history of
hospitalization), Adult Lifestyle and Family Support Packages, Resident
Support Program (outreach in boarding houses and hostels), support to
families when one or both parents are affected by mental illness, Holiday
Respite house, brokered services through collaborative partnerships, carer
support and respite, peer support and recreational opportunities. Phone (07)
5568 0753.

 Harmony Place www.harmonyplace.org.au The Multicultural Centre for

Mental Health and Well being Inc is a non-for-profit, non-government
organisation providing service to CALDB communities. These services are
Free and are culturally appropriate; we use interpreters and employ
qualified people with bilingual bicultural skills. Our aim is to raise
awareness about mental/emotional wellbeing and to work with people with
mental health issues within the recovery framework. 30 Shottery Street ,
Yeronga Telephone (07) 3848 1699

 Intentional Recovery Options at Kyabra Community Association Inc

www. kyabra.org.au. IRO offers the opportunity to explore, connect and
reclaim a life not centred on mental illness or distress. A community-based
organisation located at Runcorn that is committed to strengthening individual,
family and community life. Phone 3373 9499 and ask to speak to Tanea or
Courtney send an e-mail to taneas@kyabra.org or courtneyo@kyabra.org
iro@kyabra.org

 Neami Darra - www.neami.org.au Neami is a national non-government

mental health organisation that provides rehabilitation and recovery support to
people with a serious mental illness who requires assistance in areas of skill
development, social contact and housing. Neami uses the Collaborative
Recovery Model (CRM) to support consumers to achieve their goals by
assisting them to identify and enhance their strengths and values. Site located
at Darra telephone 07 3375 7333 or email darra@neami.org.au.

 Open Minds www.openminds.org.au is a Brisbane based non-profit

organisation providing community based support services to men and women
with mental illness, intellectual disability or acquired brain injury. Offer a range
of services focused on the individual needs of each person including lifestyle
and residential support programs, acquired brain injury support services,
planning and mentoring support and helping people find a job that’s right for
them. 66 Annerley Road Woolloongabba Qld 4102 Telephone: 07 3896 4222

 Princess Alexandra Mental Health Service. Although GPs should be the

first point of contact for mental health concerns post flood, a mental health
Triage service at PAH is available 24/7 on 1300 858 998 for assessment of
mental health needs and appropriate referrals. These referrals may be to
GPs, allied health professionals or other community agencies, or the mental
health service. If interpreters are required to access triage these can be

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 organised by ringing TIS (Translating and Interpreting Service 13 1450)
with charges borne by Queensland Health.

 Stepping Stone Clubhouse http://www.steppingstoneclubhouse.org.au

Coorparoo 07 3846 1058. Morag Roseby. A non-institutional setting where
adults with a mental illness give each other support to rebuild their
confidence, stamina, concentration, social and vocational skills. Stepping
Stone is a voluntary program whose participants are members, not patients or
clients.
3) Links to peak bodies and other flood response directories

 Queensland Alliance for Mental Health Inc. www.qldalliance.org.au is the

peak body for the Queensland mental health community sector.
The web site is a useful clearing house of information. See flood (and
cyclone) related information.

 QCOSS Community Door www.communitydoor.org.au QLD Council of Social

Service is the peak body for the not-for-profit sector.

 Queensland Health Mental Health Information

www.health.qld.gov.au\mentalhealth

 Mental Health Association www.mentalhealth.org.au Our mhConnect

division is a non-clinical information and referral service that can be contacted
24hrs, 7 days a week via our website at www.mentalhealth.org.au or
alternatively via our mhConnect line on 1300 729 686 during the hours of
8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

4) General Health and Mental Health Resources

 beyond blue - looking after yourself after a disaster- information and self-help
booklet
 Lifeline Mental Health Resource Centre - provides a variety of self-help tool
kits and fact sheets with information about issues such as mental illness,
depression, suicide prevention, anxiety ad more
 Lifeline's Service Finder - a directory of free or low cost health and community
services available in Australia including accommodation, domestic violence,
family and children’s services, financial assistance and mental health
services.
 The Salvation Army - provides a range of resources for anyone that’s dealing
with any kind of emotional issues, no matter how big or small.

 General Practice (GP’s) General practice fact sheet – flooding and its
impact on mental health and other useful information is available on the
College website. Please visit www.racgp.org.au/disasterresources.

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 13 Health 13 432 586 provides 24 hour health information and advice and
may assist with hospital inquiries. This service is operated by registered
nurses.
 Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26. The role of the Centre is to provide
the public and health professionals of Queensland with prompt, up-to-date
and appropriate information, and advice to assist in the management of
poisonings and suspected poisonings

5) Links to specialist Disaster Management and Response Agencies

 Red Cross www.redcross.org.au
 Lifeline www.lifeline.org.au
 Department of Community Safety Emergency services
www.emergency.qld.gov.au

 Disaster Management www.health.qld.gov.au/healthieryou/disaster or

call 13 43 25 84 for information on the following
 Community health advice for dealing with floods and other disasters
 Stay safe and healthy during flood recovery
 Tetanus vaccinations following the flood clean-up
 Stress and wellbeing - coping in times of crisis
 Ensuring food safety
 Ensuring safe drinking water
 Coping without gas or electricity
 Medicines
 Emergency advice
 Safety preparations for storms and floods
 General advice for other disasters.

6) Counselling and support agencies

 Lifeline (telephone counselling service) 13 11 14. Lifeline is encouraging

those experiencing stress or finding it difficult cope to contact Lifeline's 24
hour telephone line to talk with a trained crisis support volunteer.
 Domestic Violence Line 1800 811 811
 Interpreting services 131 450
 Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
 Legal Aid 1300 651 188
 Men’s Line Australia 1300 789 978
 Parent Line 1300 301 300
 Red Cross 1300 554 419
 Salvation Army 13 7258
 Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 http://www.raq.org.au/

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  The Australian Flood Phone Counselling Services - to ensure members of the
public impacted on by the recent floods throughout Australia have easy
access to a cost free professional counselling service.
 ASSIST Psychological and Counselling Services- provides a range of
therapeutic services for adults, adolescents, children and families.

7) Social and Community Support Resources

 Self-Help Queensland. Sunnybank Telephone: (07) 33446919 Contact:

Trish Fallon. A network of Self Help and Support Groups throughout
Queensland http://www.selfhelpqld.org.au
 GROW Holland Park Telephone: (07) 3394 4344
Contact: Clare Guilfoyle Peer support program http://www.grow.net.au
1800 558 268
 A Place to Belong West End Coordinators Neil and Penny Barringham
Telephone: (07) 3217 2522. For people wanting to develop community
connection and a sense of belonging. http://www.aplacetobelong.org.au

 Ryan’s Place Logan Telephone: (07) 3299 1444

Drop-in and activity program for people with mental illness
http://www.rfq.com.au/programs/ryan-s-place
 Mental Illness Fellowship Fortitude Valley Telephone: (07) 33584424
Specialist mental health organisation providing services across south
and central Queensland http://www.mifa.org.au/mifq

 New Farm Community Centre Telephone: (07) 3358 5600 A place to be

connected to the community, to access help if needed, to contribute
something back and to feel cared for.
http://newfarmneighbourhood.org

 Richmond Fellowship Queensland 485 Ipswich Road Annerley QLD 4103

(07) 3363 2555 Have programs operating in the Brisbane metropolitan area,
Redlands, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Ipswich and Logan shires and Toowoomba
and districts. www.rfq.com.au

8) Carer agencies and resources

 Commonwealth Carelink Directory www.commcarelink.health.gov.au 1800
052 222

 Carers Queensland http://qld.carersaustralia.com.au/ the purpose of Carers

Queensland is to improve the lives of carers. We provide important services
like counselling, advice, advocacy, education and training. We also promote
the recognition of carers to governments, businesses and the public. Phone
(07) 3900 8100 or toll free 1800 242 636.

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 ARAFMI Telephone: (07) 3254 1881 Toll Free:1800 35 1881
24 - hour telephone support line gives carers access to someone who is able
to listen. It’s comforting to know that when you need to talk - someone who
understands will be there - at any hour. Visit us: Arafmi House 237 Kent St
New Farm Qld 4005.

9) Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background (CALDB) services and

resources

 Harmony Place www.harmonyplace.org.au Mental health and well – being

programs. Culturally appropriate, bilingual and bicultural workers. 30 Shottery
Street , Yeronga Telephone (07) 3848 1699

 The Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC)

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/pahospital/qtmhc/default.asp (07) 3167 8333 or
1800 188 189 is a statewide service which provides an information, referral,
resource and clinical consultation service, funded by the Queensland
Government

 Refugee Health Qld: Assistance for GP ‘s with refugee patients Refugee

Health Qld is a state-wide network of refugee health services with a central
office and Brisbane Clinic based at Mater Health Service Woolloongabba.
This service provides support to general practice in a number of ways.
Contact RHQ on 07 3163 2880 for further information, or visit Mater’s GP
support site www.materonline.org.au/Home/Services/Refugee-
health/Refugee-Health-Queensland.aspx

 Multicultural Development Association http://www.mdainc.org.au/

MDA deliver quality services to migrants and refugees in Queensland through
Service Delivery, Advocacy, Sector and Community Development.
Woolloongabba (07) 3337 5400.

 The Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and

Trauma (QPASTT) www.qpastt.org.au 50 Shottery St, Yeronga 4104 , 07
3391 6677 provides flexible and cultural sensitive services to promote the
health and wellbeing of people who have been tortured or who have suffered
refugee related trauma prior to migrating to Australia. Free and confidential.

10) Alcohol and Drug Information agencies and resources

 Alcohol and Drug Information Service 1800 173 833 for drug/alcohol
related information and advice.
 Drug Arm www.drugarm.com.au. (07) 3620 8800 Provides a range of
prevention, education, treatment and support services across Australia and
Queensland.
 Adolescent Drug and Withdrawal Service (ADAWS) Offers a fully
supported withdrawal or detox program for young people 13 - 18years who

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 feel they have a problem with substance abuse. Clarence Street South
Brisbane. (07) 3163 8400
 Crisis Telephone numbers. Family members: Family Drug Help (staffed 9-
5 then diverted to DirectLine) 1300 660 068. Family Drug Support Australia
(24 hours) 1300 368 186

11) Insurance Contacts and Information Sources

 Insurance Council Hotline on 1300 728 228.

 Legal Aid website www.legalaid.qld.gov.au – See fact sheets such as
Insurance claims; tenant issues; loss of important documents etc

12) Legal Contacts and Information Sources

 Legal Aid Queensland 1300 65 11 88. Free legal information and advice.
Visit www.legalaid.qld.gov.au
The state government and key legal organisations are working together to provide
free legal information and preliminary legal advice to disadvantaged Queenslanders
affected by floods. Key organisations working on this initiative include:
 Department of Justice and Attorney-General
 Legal Aid Queensland
 Queensland Law Society
 Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House
 Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services
 Bar Association of Queensland
 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service

13) Tenancy Law Advice/Assistance

 Tenants Union of Queensland Inc 1300 744 263. The Tenants Union phone
advice line can assist tenants with information on their rights/responsibilities
under the legislation. In South East Queensland the service operates Mon,
Thursday, and Friday from 9am to 4pm and Tuesday/Wednesday 9am till
7pm. The Tenants Union has also produced a flood sheet to assist tenants
understand their rights/obligations if their rental housing has been damaged
on http://tuq.org.au/wp/wp-contents/uploads/2011/01Info-for-tenants-affected-
by-floods021.pdf

 Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Services provide tenants and residents

access to advice/advocacy on their housing rights and obligations. For a list of
TAASQ services go to http://www.housing.qld.gov.au/renting/info/taasq.htm.
Brisbane South TAASQ Services are at:
o Brisbane Inner Southside TAASQ (07) 3844 9814 (phone advice
Mon-Friday 8am to 12pm)
o Brisbane Outer South TAASQ (07) 3277 7584 (phone advice Mon-
Thurs 9am to 1pm, Friday 9am to 4pm).

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14) Housing Assistance

 Potential Assistance with temporary accommodation Some people who

have lost their accommodation due to the floods can access two websites to
explore potential temporary accommodation options. These are: OzFloodHelp
by GetUp at https://www.ozfloodhelp.org/ and Open Beds on QldFloods at
http://qldfloods.org/open-beds
 Residential Tenancy Authority 1300 366 311 (Mon to Friday 8.30am to
5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm) has disaster aftermath information
available and property owners. More information is available on their website
http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/queenslandfloods 2 011information.cfm
 Housing and Homelessness Services Bond Loans 1300 880 882. A Bond
Loan is an interest free loan for people who cannot afford to pay a full rental
bond to move into private rental housing. For more information on the loan
including eligibility criteria please go to
http://www.housing.qld.gov.au/loans/bond/index.htm
 Rent Connect 1300 880 882. Provides assistance to people on low incomes
to access housing in the private rental market. The rent connect has strict
eligibility criteria. For more information on Rent Connect visit the Department
of Communities website on
http://www.housing.qld.gov.au/renting/info/rentconnect.htm
 Homelessness Persons Information Queensland 1800 47 47 53. Contact
Homeless Persons Information Queensland if you are homeless. This service
can help by providing information about housing, practical assistance such as
where to get meals, showers and clothing and assist you with advice and
support.

15) Aboriginal and Torres Strait services and resources

 Princess Alexandra Hospital's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison

Service (07) 3176 5787 (Men's Business) (07) 3176 7073 (Women's
Business) Acts as a cultural link between our health professionals and identified
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families. The liaison
officers can assist in breaking down any perceived barriers of communication so
that Indigenous patients and/or their families have a better understanding of their
hospitalisation and treatment.
 Link-Up (QLD) Aboriginal Corporation 54 - 56 Peel Street WEST END Q 4101
PH (07) 3034 8444 Free call: 1800 200 855 http://www.link-upqld.org.au/ Link –
up exists to enhance the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by
reuniting those over the age of eighteen years who have experienced enforced
separation from their families and communities through adoption, fostering,
removal and institutionalisation.

 Assistance in location of family members

 Financially assisted reunions
 Counselling and support before, during and after your reunion
 Privacy, trust and confidentiality
 Referrals to other agencies (i.e. family trees or missing persons)
 Link-Up Support Group

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 Murri Watch Head office 19 Brereton St South Brisbane QLD
4102 Ph: (07) 38441540 Email: office@murriewatch.com.au . Murri
watch provides support to Aboriginal men residing in south-eastern
Queensland and includes two programs for men detained in local
correction centres. The local justice initiative program provides
culturally sensitive support and activities for young Aboriginal men to
enable them to cope with being detained. The watch house cell visitor
service provides support to Indigenous detainees to reduce the risk of
suicidal and self-harm behaviours. Diversionary and Cell Visitors
Services 15 Hubert St Woolloongabba (07) 3891 2822

 The Indigenous and Homeless Outreach Community Team is at

the ‘Biala’ City Community Health Centre. 270 Roma Street,
Brisbane Ph: 3837 5633. This team provides a range of culturally
appropriate alcohol and drug services for Indigenous people, and
people who are homeless or are at risk of being homeless. Outreach
services to parks and accommodation settings such as hostels and
other supported facilities. Self refer, walk in or access through
outreach services around city.

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Services

http://www.atsichsbrisbane.org.au/ 55 Annerley Road,
Woolloongabba QLD Telephone (07) 3240 8924 / 3240 8900
ATSICHS offers primary health care in the following areas; GP
Services, Dental, Mental Health, Child Family & Maternal, Diabetes,
Ophthalmology, Optometry, Podiatry and Dietary. Clinics also in
Acacia Ridge, Woodridge, Northgate and Indigenous Youth health
Service for homeless or at risk young people.

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