Calm And Comfort For Those In Mental Health Crisis

A recently opened dedicated space within Mackay Base Hospital is helping people going through difficult times in their lives to avoid the Emergency Department when seeking help.

The new Crisis Support Service (CSS) facility, called Safe Harbour, is located adjacent to the Emergency Department and complements existing crisis services in the Mackay community.

Mackay HHS chief executive Susan Gannon said the facility represented the service’s commitment to improving the care and outcomes for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

‘‘Often people who are experiencing crisis after hours are admitted to an Emergency Department (ED) and we know a busy clinical space can be incredibly overwhelming for someone who is in distress,’’ Susan said.

‘‘This new model of care allows our peer workers to meet a person who has presented to the ED for help, have them discharged and take them to Safe Harbour to develop a support plan through a conversation and often, a cuppa.

‘’Ideally, we hope this space will reduce crisis presentations to our incredibly busy ED.’’

Safe Harbour is for individuals aged 16 years old and over who do not require medical treatment but who may have otherwise presented to the emergency department when they are experiencing psychological distress or a mental health
crisis.

Safe Harbour is a non-clinical partnership with Mind Australia, providing people seeking face-to-face mental health support with a peer-led, therapeutic environment. Access to the Safe Harbour is voluntary and can be utilised via the emergency department (to enable triage first); by referral from the Mackay HHS community mental health services, co-responder, MH Call or other community providers; or by presenting directly to the Crisis Support Space (CSS).

Mackay HHS Team Leader Acute Care Services Christian Strang said the service had been co-designed with people with lived experience of emotional distress and crisis to ensure the space would meet the needs of the people visiting.

"Through this process, we identified peer workers with lived experience of emotional distress and crisis were best placed to lead the care of each person in conjunction with a senior mental health clinician,’’ Christian said.

‘‘Delivering new models of care like this not only takes pressure off our high-intake areas like ED but they also deliver best-practice care to people when and where they need it most,’’ he said.

“Safe Harbour is an excellent example of care being delivered with the needs of our patients and clients being placed at the forefront of design and planning.’’

Safe Harbour is one of twelve crisis support spaces now operating near or nearby a Queensland Health emergency department.

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Visitors to Safe Harbour are welcomed with a cup of tea and a supportive conversation, fostering a non-clinical, peer-led environment. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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