EACH

At the new headspace Dandenong centre, the EACH team is providing more than a mental health support service – it’s a safe, inclusive place where young people and their families can receive support and thrive.  Since moving to this new location, headspace Dandenong has supported over 1000 young people and there was a lot of excitement in the air when we officially opened the site last week!  Thank you to our fantastic event MC and Youth Peer Worker Asal and members of the headspace Dandenong 3D Youth Group for sharing their experiences, and our guests Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Trethowan, headspace CEO, Quinn Pawson, SEMPHN CEO, Ali Rahman National Clinical Manager, Multicultural Practice, headspace National and guest speakers Josh West and Thomas Le. #headspaceDandenong #YouthSupport #MentalHealthMatters #EACH  

As we prepared to celebrate 50 years of EACH, we grappled with a big question: How could we build a sense of shared unity and celebration through our workforce of 1500 people at more than 50 sites across eastern Australia, without breaking our modest not-for-profit budget? That’s how the 50 years of EACH bus tour was born, and how the brilliant people across our different locations and diverse services joined together to celebrate our milestone. 🛣 Over 2500 kilometres travelled 🚌 70 drivers and passengers 🎵 278 songs played from our road trip playlist 💜 And a memorable celebration of the people and places that make EACH special

We appreciated the opportunity to meet with Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath’s office last week to seek a funding commitment to grow our self-funded Murri Court Care Coordination initiative. For the past year, EACH’s Wantima service led by Yuggera woman Murryann Reeves has been helping to keep First Nations people and their families well, together and out of the justice system by connecting people appearing before the Murri Court with safe, trusted counselling and support services as alternatives to jail terms. Of the 25 people Annie has supported, 24 have remained out of prison – one person had a pre-existing warrant. Annie’s work is changing lives, breaking cycles of inter-generational trauma, and keeping First Nations people out of prison. It’s also saved the Queensland Government a conservatively estimated $3.4 million in just one year. We’re seeking less than that to run a two-year formally evaluated pilot. Funding would enable us to employ and train First Nations people to work with Annie to deliver the service at two Murri Courts. And we estimate it would save the government at least $20 million in avoided incarceration costs, not to mention the impact of lives and community. At the end of the pilot we’d step back so that the tested, refined Murri Court Care Coordination service could be run at scale by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. We know crime is a concern in Queensland as the election approaches but it’s not just a justice issue. It’s a health issue. A housing issue. An education issue. And the solutions don’t fit neatly into one government portfolio, which often sees them lumped in the too hard basket. But we know it’s not too hard because we’re doing it, and it’s working. We are hopeful for the Government’s support – watch this space.

If you find yourself in Canberra on a sparkling purple bus with a festive 50th Birthday vibe, what better way to celebrate than by driving politicians around Parliament House and asking them the tough questions🚐   A big thank you to the good-sport MPs from the key electorates in which EACH delivers services who came on board and helped make our 50 Years of EACH celebration even more fun: Julian Hill, Dai Le MP, Cassandra Fernando, Shayne Neumann MP, Dr Mike Freelander MP, and Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.   #50YearsofEACH 

If you’re concerned about the impact of gambling, like we are, you’ll want to hear what Dr Mike Freelander MP– self-confessed rebel and Member for the Federal NSW seat of Macarthur – has to say. Australia leads the world in gambling losses, but gambling advertising has been allowed to become a pervasive part of our daily lives, especially for young people. Dr Freelander joined us on the 50 Years of EACH bus for a lap of Parliament House, Canberra and told us why his position on banning gambling advertising is not negotiable.

Nearly half of Australians will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their life. That might include you.   At EACH, we see the powerful impact that mental health services and supports have on people's lives every day.   Yet Queensland has some of the lowest per capita mental health funding in the country.   All Australians deserve to access the support they need to live well, and Queensland's community mental health sector needs proper funding to save lives. 

50 years ago in 1974, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam opened EACH’s first site in Patterson St, Ringwood East. We have come a long way since 1974. EACH now employs 1,500 staff supported by 200 volunteers, delivering more than 150 health and support services to 60,000 Australians each year. 💜 But our deep commitment to providing health and support services that helps communities have the power to live well remains as strong as ever. Yesterday EACH staff across the country celebrated our past and looked to our future with a 50 Years of EACH gala event – bringing the organisation together in person at local sites and online to celebrate as one. Thank you to everyone for helping us celebrate this incredible milestone. Happy 50th birthday EACH!🎂✨ #50YearsofEACH

Dai Le MP, the Independent Federal Member for Fowler, knows about overcoming obstacles and breaking down barriers. Having arrived in Australia as a refugee, Dai is the first Vietnamese-Australian member of Parliament, a cancer survivor, and a former journalist. We hosted Dai last week on the 50 Years of EACH bus, to find out what motivates her as an MP, and get her best road trip tips. #50YearsofEACH

Join us for an unforgettable tour of Canberra… EACH style! Our team in Kingston wasted no time piling into the bus after it arrived from Goulburn for their Magic School Bus-themed tour of Canberra, hosted by our very own Miss Frizzle. At each stop, we turned the experience into a mini photo shoot, capturing incredible moments (and a few curious glances). 📸 🚎 Having taken Canberra by storm, we’re back on the road this week for the remainder of our 50 Years of EACH bus tour, visiting our locations and connecting with staff and the communities we support. Tomorrow, we embark on our next adventure in Bega! #50YearsofEACH

For insider tips on the best places to visit in southeast Queensland, look no further than Shayne Neumann MP. ☕ We had a blast chatting with Mr. Neumann on our 50 years of EACH bus this week. When it came to song recommendations he couldn't pick just one track for our road trip playlist, sharing several classics for us to sing along to. A huge thank you to Mr. Neumann for starting the day with us bright and early on the 50 years of EACH bus!