Bunbury step up/step down service for mental health recovery
Richmond Wellbeing has been officially appointed by the Mental Health Commission to operate a new step up/step down facility in Bunbury. This represents an additional 10 bed service in the South-West region, which will commence in January 2020.
Richmond Wellbeing CEO Adrian Munro today attended the official laying of the brick ceremony of the Glen Iris construction site, along with Mental Health Minister Roger Cook.
Mr Munro said Richmond Wellbeing prides itself in supporting people with mental health distress and sharing their recovery journey. The Bunbury step up/step down initiative will provide people with additional transitional support services, with a view in assisting them to avoid hospital admission or facilitate an earlier discharge. This is turn serves to free up beds for those who need them the most.
“At Richmond Wellbeing we believe that people, can and do recover from mental health challenges when they receive support from integrated services, the wider community and their families,” explained Mr Munro.
“Richmond Wellbeing looks forward to working in close collaboration with existing services in the region, including the WA Country Health Service, to provide holistic support and help people to return to the community.”
Step Up services, allow people to step up from the community, and provide additional support for a person to manage a deterioration in their mental health, but where an admission to an inpatient facility (such as a hospital) is not warranted.
Step Down services, allow people to step down from a stay in an inpatient facility, and provide additional support to a person who no longer requires acute inpatient care but does require assistance in re-establishing themselves in the community.
Richmond Wellbeing has been operating residential and outreach mental health services across Western Australia since 1975, currently servicing the greater south-west region with a range of community care options.
Richmond Wellbeing acknowledges that its healthcare services are run on Nyoongar country, and pays respect to Nyoongar Elders past, present and future.
Media contact:
Vida Hustas
Richmond Wellbeing PR & Brand Manager
P: (08) 9350 8800 | M: 0498 267 070 | E: vida.hustas@rw.org.au
