Mental health program launched

A program focused on supporting and assisting people living with mental illness in the Woy Woy area will be officially launched on July 14.

The Personal Helpers and Mentors program is funded by the Department for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and will be delivered across 12 locations in NSW and Queensland, including Woy Woy.

The program will be managed from the new Aftercare office in Tuggerah which will also be officially opened on July 14, by Member for Dobell Mr Craig Thomson.

Aftercare executive director Mr John Malone said he was looking forward to Aftercare's presence in the region.

"Aftercare's program takes a strength-based recovery approach to supporting people to achieve social and emotional wellbeing, and we are really excited about the ability to work closely with the communities of the Central Coast.

According to Mr Malone, the Personal Helpers and Mentors program is one of the key initiatives of the Federal Government's mental health reform package, and assists people aged 16 years and over whose ability to manage their daily activities and to live independently in their community is impacted as a result of a severe mental illness.

Anyone interested in accessing the Woy Woy service should contact coordinator Kerry Spindler on 4352 9200 or via email at kerry.spindler@aftercare.com.au.

Press release, 10 Jul 2009 Julie Martin, Aftercare