Shock closure of vital mental health service

A GIPPSLAND-based mental-health, not for profit will close its doors today, Friday, July 8, leaving 60 staff redundant and more than 400 clients with mental illness and disability to find another provider.

The collapse of the service, Within Australia, has impacted clients and staff in the Wonthaggi area, although at this stage the extent of the impact from the Bairnsdale-based service is not known

Within Australia started in the early 1990s and has provided help from its Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon and Wonthaggi offices, but the organisation went into voluntary administration in May and liquidation last week.

Gippsland ABC Radio spoke to a client of the service this week who said it was going to be difficult to make the move to another service provider.

“I'm not looking forward to having to negotiate other things. When you've got a group of people who have empathy, they can provide as much mental health benefit as your psychologists or psychiatrists.”

The Bairnsdale resident, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, attended five sessions at Within Australia each week.

The administrator appointed to wind up the business, Adam Nikitins, said the loss of a key contract from the Gippsland Primary Health Network was the last straw for the organisation.

He said the PHN agreement accounted for 25% of the Within Australia and was subsidising the rest of the business so when that fell away, the cost base was too high.

Adrian Bradley General Manager Corporate Affairs at Advanced Person Management and its subsidiary MyIntegra, has made a pitch for the Within Australia clients and staff.

“MyIntegra, a subsidiary of human services provider APM, is seeking to minimise disruption to 300 Gippsland NDIS participants and 30 staff impacted by the closure of the not for profit provider Within Australia,” Mr Bradley said.

“Within Australia has gone into administration and will cease all disability services from July 8, this includes support coordination that helps connect NDIS participants with vital community supports.

“This will affect 300 Gippsland residents in towns like Wonthaggi, Sale, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Morwell and Rosedale. About 30 staff are also impacted.

“To help ease the impact of this closure, MyIntegra is offering all Gippsland participants the opportunity to continue receiving support coordination immediately, and after 8 July.

“In addition, support coordinators from Within Australia can apply for roles with MyIntegra so they can continue to support Gippsland participants.

“MyIntegra already provides plan management support to hundreds of participants in the Gippsland region, and has a deep understanding of the local area.

“If NDIS Participants in the Gippsland region would like to get support coordination from MyIntegra please contact 1300 937 187 or email withinaustralia@myintegra.com.au.”