People using services provided by the Mind Australia Group have achieved significant improvements in recovery, the Mind Australia Group’s first Annual Report reveals.
The Report showcases positive outcome measures for people using a range of services including Mind youth support services, Haven residences, and One Door’s community psychosocial support service Head to Health.
Among the highlights, young people have experienced significant reductions in psychological distress and improvements in overall recovery at Mind-managed Youth Outreach Recovery Support services and Youth Prevention and Recovery Care services. Similarly, adults have experienced an 86% reduction in hospitalisations in the year after moving into a Haven residence compared to the year before they moved in.
The Haven Foundation’s building program has been another highlight with four Haven residences opening in the 2023-2024 financial year compared to one the previous financial year. Another two have opened since July. This brings the total in operation at time of publication to 12 and there are many more on the way. The first Haven residences in South Australia and New South Wales are also underway.
Progress reports from Latrobe University’s evaluation of Haven residences has shown that participating residents experience reduction in mental distress, improved skills for independent living and a general trend towards reduction in psychiatry led care to primary care management, with an increase in GP-led care.
The Annual Report also explores the peer led Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services and Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect services that Mind delivers for the Victorian Government.
A key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the services support family members, carers, kin and supporters of people with mental health and/ or substance use challenges. One Door’s Head to Health service in Canterbury provides similar in person support. Eighty-four per cent of people using the service reported a reduction in psychological distress following their support.
The Annual Report also includes a feature on the rapid progress Mind’s new Lived Experience division is making in achieving its strategic goals. These include the completion of its Lived Experience Workforce Plan, its Lived Experience Governance Framework and delivery of the first Stratford Lecture and Scholarship.
Introducing the report, Mind Australia CEO Gill Callister and Board Chair Professor Allan Fels said the merger of Mind Australia and One Door Mental Health is a momentous development for psychosocial support services in Australia.
One Door Mental Health officially became a subsidiary of Mind Australia on 1 January 2024, with both organisations retained as separate legal entities.
Explore the Mind Australia Group Annual Report here (PDF 2 MB)