A new drop-in centre has opened in the heart of Blacktown city centre to provide a safe and supportive space for residents struggling with mental health issues.
The Safe Space service is open between 3pm and 9pm four days a week (Wednesday to Saturday in Blacktown), providing a secure and welcoming environment for people experiencing psychological distress.
Open to those aged 16 years and above, the service is targeted at reducing hospital emergency department presentations by offering alternative support for people at low risk.
Trained mental health staff are available to immediately assess those who visit and help with planning ongoing support.
The service is run by Stride, an organisation which delivers community psychosocial support, supported residential care, and clinical treatment and interventions to people with mental health concerns, as well as their families and carers.
Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, recently visited the new Safe Space.
“Many of us have been touched by mental health struggles, whether we’ve experienced issues ourselves, or have seen a loved one, friend, or colleague go through them,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“Mental health services like the new Safe Space in Blacktown are crucial to making sure support is there for those who need it.
“It is wonderful to see organisations such as Stride making a difference in our community, and even more so at the moment as we live through what has been a difficult time for many.
“I would like to recognise the great work of Stride in opening this new Safe Space, and I truly believe the service will have a real impact on the wellbeing of our community.”
The Safe Space offers safety planning, sensory activities, access and support to use the centre’s sensory room, social and emotional support, and information and support for self-referral to other relevant community services.
Stride CEO Dr Andrew Young said the need for the service was identified after a Safe Space pilot program in Brisbane last year.
“Safe Space Blacktown offers people in mental health distress a safe environment to access the support they need and provides an alternative to presenting at the emergency department,” Dr Young said.
The Blacktown service was made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network WentWest.
Safe Space is located at 24 Panorama Parade in Blacktown and is open Wednesday to Saturday, 3pm to 9pm.
Picture: from left Superintendent Steve Egginton, Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, Stride General Manager – Service Delivery Juliet Middleton and Stride Regional Manager Kate Snars at the new Safe Space in Blacktown.
