The Malinauskas Labor Government has expanded a northern suburbs drop-in mental health service following a strong response from the community for the peer-led support in the north.
Safe Haven has doubled its opening days from two to four – and is now open Tuesday to Friday each week, from 5pm to 9pm, with no booking or referral required.
The service has also moved to a new location at 9 John Street Salisbury to offer increased accessibility and better facilities for other support services. The new location provides family-friendly access with a children’s space, to better support parents and carers who access the service.
The service is popular in the community for providing an inviting, non-clinical setting for people seeking mental health support.
Those seeking support at Safe Haven are connected with a specifically trained peer practitioner who has had their own lived experience of mental ill-health and can offer practical support to consumers without fear of judgement.
If needed, community members are connected to additional mental health services ensuring their needs are met and appropriate care pathways are provided, also helping to avoid unnecessary emergency department presentations.
Safe Haven is operated by not-for-profit organisation Sonder and funded by the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN) through the Australian Government’s PHN Program. For more information visit sonder.net.au/safe-haven.
Quotes
Attributable to Chris Picton
Emergency Departments are not always the right environment for people experiencing mental health challenges.
This is why we are pleased to see the expansion of this unique service that has a proven track record of providing support to people in the community in a non-clinical and welcoming setting.
Safe Haven offers immediate support and doesn’t require a booking, which increases accessibility to mental health supports and assists people in their time of need, also reducing demand on our hospital EDs.
Attributable to Zoe Bettison
Our community is pleased to see this vital service extended and I’m sure many of our residents in the Salisbury area will make good use of its expanded hours.
This will help people who need mental health support and provide information and linkages to other available services in the area, while also easing pressure on the hospital system.
Attributable to NALHN Divisional Director Allied Health & Community, Mental Health, Shaun Sweeney
Safe Haven has been well received in the community and the expansion of the service will offer more opportunities for people in the community to access the valuable support the Sonder peer practitioners provide.
Attributable to Adelaide PHN CEO, Michelle McKay
Adelaide PHN is thrilled to collaborate with Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and Sonder in bringing Safe Haven Salisbury to life, a crucial recovery-oriented and strengths-based solution for those in distress in Northern Adelaide.
Through this initiative, guests can connect with peer practitioners who understand the challenges of navigating through difficult times.
Attributable to Sonder CEO, Sageran Naidoo
Safe Haven offers community members a unique space where they can find a sense of calm and support if they’re feeling overwhelmed or distressed. Guests can choose to talk with someone about their mental health challenges, seek social connections, or simply relax with a cup of tea or coffee.
Attributable to Sonder Safe Haven Peer Practitioner, Jadee-Mae Cartledge
As a peer-driven service, Safe Haven is staffed by people with their own personal experiences of mental health challenges. Anyone who comes to Safe Haven will be able to talk through their challenges with someone who has an understanding of what they are going through – without fear or judgement and in an environment where they feel respected and listened to.
