NewAccess is a free mental health coaching program for anyone aged 18 and older, who is stressed or who is feeling anxious and overwhelmed about everyday life issues such as study, relationships, work or even if they are just feeling lonely. We all find life challenging now and then, but we do not always seek the support we need. Perhaps we are worried about the cost, or we are ashamed to ask or think less of ourselves if we cannot manage on our own. NewAccess, developed by Beyond Blue, aims to make reaching out for support easier.
Everyone needs guidance at some point in their lives and when it comes to looking after our mental health, it is no different. Just like any other coach or teacher, like sport coaches or subject tutors, a NewAccess coach supports people to overcome the difficulties they may be facing in life and assists in the journey to regain confidence.
NewAccess coaches are local people, trained in Low Intensity Congnitive Behavioural Therapy. Over six confidential sessions, young people and a coach work together to help understand the root issues causing distress and then aim to develop practical skills to ensure the young person can start to feel like themself again. The service is completely free and 100 percent confidential. It does not require a medical referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan and can be accessed over the phone or face to face.
The program has so far had a phenomenal success rate throughout Australia with many participants reporting dramatic improvements in their mental health. Residents of the Darling Downs and West Moreton region can find available coaches at Lives Lived Well centres in Warwick, Gatton, Dalby and Kingaroy. The delivery of NewAccess across the region is also facilitated by Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ), a community-owned organisation that supports people facing mental health challenges and social disadvantage, in Toowoomba, Ipswich and Scenic Rim.
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