Townsville University Hospital crisis support service is open over the festive season
The festive season can be a challenging time for many people, and with some services closing over the holiday break, finding support can be a challenge.
The team at Townsville’s Wadda Mooli - The Welcome Space is reminding the community that it will be open 7–days a week, including on public holidays, over the Christmas and New Year period.
Wadda Mooli is delivered through a partnership between selectability and the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and provides urgent non-clinical support for people presenting to the Townsville University Hospital emergency department (ED) in emotional distress and crisis.
selectability program coordinator, Eliza Meldrum, said the space was staffed by 2 peer workers with support from a mental health clinician, in a calming space away from the stressful environment of ED.
“Our amazing team of peer workers, use their own lived or living experience of mental health to provide support to others in times of crisis,” said Eliza.
“This includes sharing strategies to reduce stress and anxiety, providing information about services available in the community, and developing a support plan.
“We are really proud of our welcoming and inclusive space. When visitors enter Wadda Mooli, they are offered a tea or coffee and can take some time to use the massage chair to relax in the peace and quiet.
“By speaking with our peer visitors, visitors are supported to feel empowered, know that they are not alone and that there is hope.
“Our peer workers also assist visitors to outline keys steps to take once leaving the space so that a plan is in place to link in with valuable ongoing support in the community.
“We are there to listen without judgement, with compassion and empathy.”
People attending Wadda Mooli can choose to:
- speak to a peer worker
- have a quiet time to reflect
- share experiences
- find resources.
Wadda Mooli – The Welcome Space is open weekdays from 12:45pm – 9:30pm and weekends 12:00pm - 9:30pm. Please call 4433 3912 to confirm the availability of the service. If you are in the ED, a staff member may able to assist you to access the service.
You can find more information HERE
Further information
For further online resources to look after your own or your loved one’s mental wellbeing.
Additional online digital resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental wellbeing.
For crisis support and further mental health assessment, contact the Acute Care Team on
1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55) This operates 24 hours a day.
In an emergency, please phone 000.