New Gold Coast program helps people with a mental illness

The Gold Coast has been chosen as the first community in Queensland to deliver part of a $10.3 million Transitional Recovery Program to assist individuals moving from mental health acute care to supported accommodation.

Disability Services Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said FSG Australia had received $2.6 million to deliver Gold Coast component of the program, developed to assist people to lead independent lives.

“The Bligh Government understands the importance of assisting people with a mental illness to live within their community, supported by the right mix of clinical and wrap around supports to help them with their recovery,” she said.

“This is not replacing any other program but providing another layer of support. The service will provide up to 12 months intensive support, with further outreach support to help people sustain living independently in the community.

“The Transitional Recovery Program has been specifically designed to take into account the fact every person is an individual who may require a flexible, tailored and responsive approach to support.

”Negotiations with Queensland Health and other key stakeholders identified that the Gold Coast region would greatly benefit from a program such as this, so I’m pleased to deliver on that need.”

The program will be expanded to three more locations, between now and 2010.

Ms Nelson-Carr said tenders were about to be called to deliver the program in the Redcliffe/Caboolture and the Logan/Bayside areas.

“The Bligh Government has undertaken extensive consultation in developing the program, with an open tender process used to find the successful service providers,” she said.

“As a result FSG Australia, located at Southport, will work with Disability Services Queensland, Queensland Health and a range of other government and non-government agencies to develop the program at a local level.”

FSG Australia chief executive officer Vicki Batten has welcomed the introduction of the new program on the Gold Coast.

“The Transitional Recovery Program will demonstrate that with access to the right supports and opportunities, people with a mental illness can live successfully in the community,” Ms Batten said.

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office - 3235 4280