Western Australia’s first step-up, step-down mental health service opened in Joondalup in 2013 with 22 beds. In 2017 Neami researchers partnered with University of Western Australia Research Fellow Dr Hanh Ngo to undertake an evaluation of the Joondalup Mental Health Step-Up Step-Down (JMHSS) service.
News and Events
Find out the latest news, events and media coverage from our services around Australia
Featured News and Events post
The team at Neami Brunswick asked young people living with mental illness to share their experience on an anonymous postcard.
Wednesday the 11th of April saw two events celebrating the official opening of Neami’s new alternative to admission service, Nundah House.
Neami’s homeless services are now more important than ever in making a contribution to this important social justice issue and in demonstrating effective models that work to support people while sleeping rough or to find suitable accommodation.
On Friday the 16th of March, the South Australian State Governor His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC visited Neami’s homelessness service Street to Home.
Last month, two researchers from the School of Art, Architecture and Design at the University of South Australia released a report based on their studies of Next Steps, a Neami National walking group.
The back garden at our Noble Park Youth Residential Rehabilitation (YRR) recently received a revamp, with staff, resident young people and the local Bunnings all chipping in.
An ABC Radio article about the archiving of 150,000 historical documents has highlighted the history of mental illness in Victoria's institutions from 1853 to 1940.
An article syndicated around Australia has highlighted Neami National's role in reducing homelessness in Adelaide CBD.
Neami National and Metro North Brisbane Mental Health Service (MNMH) have commenced a partnership to deliver Nundah House, a new alternative to admission service in Nundah, north of Brisbane.
The 2017/18 summer edition of newparadigm features a summary of the collaborative research project between Neami, Nexus Dual Diagnosis Service at St Vincent’s Hospital [link] and Monash University [link]. The article in VICSERV’s quarterly journal looks at the impacts of a dual diagnosis package for staff called “The Reasons for Use Package” or RFUP.
Neami is very pleased to announce the launch of our first Diversity & Inclusion Framework.
Neami and our fully owned subsidiary Me Well are committed to cultivating inclusive environments for staff, consumers and carers - that recognise, respond to and celebrate diversity.
Western Australia’s first step-up, step-down mental health service opened in Joondalup in 2013 with 22 beds. In 2017 Neami researchers partnered with University of Western Australia Research Fellow Dr Hanh Ngo to undertake an evaluation of the Joondalup Mental Health Step-Up Step-Down (JMHSS) service.
Sunday 14th January saw thousands of people gather in Melbourne's Alexandra Gardens to celebrate Midsumma Carnival – the annual event that kick starts the Midsumma Festival.
A new and innovative service is operating out of Neami Merrylands in Sydney’s West. Called Recovery and Resilience After Hours (or RRAH), the service is a hospital follow-up program that assists consumers to identify and manage stress, anxiety and depression.
Neami National was one of the only mainstream mental health organisations represented at last week’s Better Together Conference in Melbourne.
Supported Decision Making is an approach that reflects principles of empowerment and self-determination and is in line with Neami’s approach to service delivery.
All Neami services, including Head Office, will be closed during the public holidays of Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Limited services will be available from 27th through to 29th of December.
Neami Nepean-Penrith, a community mental health service located in Penrith, was officially opened on Wednesday 15th November by Ms Emma Husar, MP for Lindsay. The launch event was attended by local community services, partners and potential services users.
The team at the Cairns Community Care Unit (CCU) have been supporting consumers to manage their tobacco use with Neami's 'Kick the Habit' resources.
Home Ground Real Estate, also operating in Collingwood, Melbourne, allows private landlords to provide affordable housing by leasing their properties for below market-value rental rates.
Last week, professionals from the mental health sector, members of the community, carers and people with lived experience converged on Perth for the 7th annual Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Conference.
Neami National teamed up with Yours and Owls to host a workshop that explored the relationship between music and mental health.
Neami, with funding from the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, (EMPHN) recently launched a new program providing low-intensity mental health support for people living in Northern and Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne.
During Mental Health Week (October 8 – 14, 2017), Neami National will focus on raising awareness about the role that employment and vocation can play in mental health recovery.
In 2016, Neami National in South Australia, together with Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) launched a program to address physical health issues in consumers.
We understand the importance of equality and social inclusion in achieving our vision of full citizenship for all people.
Neami’s Noble Park Youth Residential Rehabilitation (YRR) service has welcomed four new residents – Roast, Nugget, Penny and Gary. The four ex-battery hens have settled into the pecking order and are living comfortably in their new purpose-built hutch.
The Freemantle Sailing Club (FSC) runs a “Sailing Support Program” – which is designing to offer an exciting sailing experience to people who are experiencing life difficulty.
In South Australia, Neami is the lead agency in a consortium offering clinical support and psychological services for people across a broad spectrum of needs.
Professor Allan Fels, Chair of the National Mental Health Commission, addressed the National Press Club on Tuesday 25th July to launch Equally Well.
The Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) recently announced $2.5 million dollars’ funding to support young people aged from 12-25 who have or at risk of developing severe mental health issues. As part of this funding increase, Neami will deliver a program named “Flexible Intensive Mental Health Support for Young People”, known as YFlex.
The Neami National-led consortium Links to Wellbeing will partner with University of South Australia to hold a symposium in September.
Neami in South Australia runs a series of art groups that support consumers to create art in a variety of mediums. Cecelia participates the Murray Bridge Comet Arts program.
The National Mental Health Commission is conducting an overview of mental health consumer and carer engagement and participation in Australia.
Neami has recently begun a series of new Optimal Health Program groups in North Brisbane aimed at supporting LGBTIQ, CALD, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and corrections communities.
Following a thorough due diligence and transition process that was announced in early December 2016, the June O’Connor Centre (JOC) and Neami National (Neami) have now merged, with JOC becoming part of Neami.
With all the activity happening around the country, I welcome you to this edition of Clear Thinking as a chance to catch up with the latest news at Neami.
Since 1996 smoking rates among the general population have seen a steady decline with current figures suggesting around 16% of the population smoke. However, smoking rates for people living with mental health difficulties have remained relatively unchanged over this time with rates remaining at around 32%.
Our annual staff engagement survey has shown a wide-ranging increase in positive sentiment in working at Neami across our services.
In New South Wales, Neami has developed a new program aimed at supporting consumers to gain competitive employment.
In Australia, from 2011 to 2015, an average of 2, 687 people died from suicide each year, which is nearly 8 people per day. The suicide rate amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is more than double the national rate. Neami has launched two new initiatives in this area.
Neami in NSW has developed Active8, a new program that aims to address weight gain in people living with a mental illness.
On Friday, Neami CEO Arthur Papakotsias and our Research and Evaluation Consumer Co-Chair Dave Peters presented at the public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for the provision of services under the NDIS for people with psychosocial disabilities related to a mental health condition.
Neami Leadership and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff, consumers and external guests gathered on 19 April 2017 at The Centre, Ivanhoe to develop Neami's first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The graduation ceremony recognised the achievements of WorkWell participants from five Neami services who have gained employment, volunteer work or enrolled in study and training courses. Jobs gained varied from Landscape Gardener, to Teacher, to Packer.
With a huge amount of activity in our sector over the last few months, including submissions to the 5th National Mental Health plan and the recent Parliament House advocacy day, I would like to take some time to share with you how we, at Neami, see the future.
In partnership with Orygen National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Neami is undertaking an exciting research project to identify what's important to young people and other key stakeholders who have a direct interest in the operation of the Youth Residential Services.
Following a full due diligence process June O'Connor Centre and Neami National have decided to proceed with a merger and it has been agreed that JOC will become a part of Neami. Continuity of care to JOC clients will be maintained with current support staff.
"Mere words alone are not enough to accurately convey the ways in which Neami has helped me. In the time we’ve spent together they’ve helped me to realise and actualise my goals and dreams, and to take steps towards them, something I once considered impossible."
Last year service delivery sites across Victoria and New South Wales engaged in an exciting, innovative and empowering co-production project. Staff and consumers at some outreach service sites came together with equal representation to develop a 12-month Consumer Participation Site Plan.
Neami National is committed to the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in order to continue building on practices and relationships that support better outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Neami is undertaking an exciting transformational project, the Great Consumer Experience, to align our quality system to achieve great consumer experiences for every consumer every time.
Stephen Brand is stepping down from his current role as Board Chair and will be staying on with Neami as a Director.
As another year draws to a close, it's a good moment to reflect on the year that was and acknowledge those who supported and worked collaboratively with Neami National to achieve full citizenship for people with mental illness.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Australia (MHWA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neami National was registered on the 3rd of August 2016. Following an extensive branding process I can now announce that ‘Me Well’ will be the new brand identity for MHWA.
In this edition of Clear Thinking, you'll find articles including an announcement about Neami's NDIS service provisions, an evaluation of Neami's Prevention and Recovery Care services, and the expansion of our Peer Health Coaching program.
The June O’Connor Centre Inc. (JOC) and Neami National (Neami) would like to announce a shared agreement to explore a merger between both organisations.
In partnership with cohealth and North Western Mental Health, Neami have undertaken evaluations of the effectiveness of the Northern and Arion Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) services in Victoria.
Neami is a major partner in an exciting research project run by Monash University and University of Melbourne Australian Research Council. The joint interdisciplinary project investigated and supported the rights, agency and self-determination of people in the mental health system.
Wadamba Wilam has picked up a ‘Highly Commended’ for the Community Award category at the recent Melbourne Health ‘2016 Celebrating Excellence Awards’ on Friday 25th November.
Neami staff from around the country came together in Melbourne at the Neami National Leadership Conference (NLC) from 16th – 18th November. The NLC provided an opportunity to learn from each other and industry leading keynote speakers, and to continue to equip Neami leaders to respond to changes in the mental health landscape.
Co-located with our Cairns Outreach service is the BAWU activity centre. Pronounced Bay-you, the centre offers Neami group programs such as Flourish, Optimal Health Program (OHP) and Eat Plant Learn.
VICSERV recently held an NDIS Forum titled ‘Mental Health in the NDIS World’, on October 26th. The forum brought together key stakeholders from national, state and local levels to discuss issues and developments relevant to mental health providers, consumers and carers in Victoria during the current roll-out of the NDIS.
A recent Monash University and University of Melbourne Australian Research Council joint interdisciplinary project investigated and supported the rights, agency and self-determination of people in the mental health system.
During Mental Health Week (October 9 – 15, 2016), Neami National will focus on creating awareness about the important relationship between mental health and physical health, and highlight services available to support mental and physical wellbeing.
We will be marking Mental Health Week (9-15 October 2016) with involvement in a number of events and activities around Australia. To find out what’s happening in your area, take a look at this list.
TheMHS Conference was held in 'Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui' in Auckland, New Zealand, on August 23-26. Several Neami staff delivered presentations and were able to share in the experience.
Come to our next information session to learn about jobs at our new services in Western Sydney.
Congratulations to our MHCSS intake service on two years of providing easier access to Victorian community mental health services.
Come to our information session to learn about jobs at our exciting new services in Western Sydney.
Neami Way2Home was recently part of the City of Sydney street count which recorded 394 people sleeping rough across the City’s local area.
With the announcement that Pathways has entered into voluntary administration, the Neami Board of Directors and Management would like to assure the Barwon community of our commitment to working closely with the appointed administrators Rodgers and Reidy.
Our Victorian Intake Assessment Service (MHCSS) and Wadamba Wilam (Renew Shelter) teams were delighted to be part of this video about mental health services in VIC
Our new Neami Hunter NDIS service can help people living with a mental illness manage their NDIS funding
We are looking forward to working with The University of Melbourne on a new project, ‘Building the Evidence Base for Prevention and Recovery Care Services’. This project is the result of a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Projects grant.
Pathways and Neami National are delighted to announce that a Memorandum of Understanding is under development to investigate the feasibility of Pathways services being transitioned to Neami National.
'Float With It' is an exhibition of artworks by South Australians who attend the Neami 'Comet', 'Digits' and 'Drawn Together' art groups.
“Our people absolutely see a reduction in hospital admissions,” Neami Maitland Service Manager Christie Hodge speaking about the success of local HASI services.
In January 2016, Neami Way2Home supported the 300th person from sleeping rough into permanent housing.
A new music program at Darebin Men’s Shed is using the power of music to help combat social isolation and mental illness among local men.
Pen to Power- Map Your Mind to Recovery is a new interactive exhibit supported by Neami Dubbo which documents the journey to better health.
Neami Health Promotions has established a partnership with the Melbourne Dental School with the aim of building an approach for Neami’s support workers to assist consumers to improve their oral health.
This week Neami added their name to the list of organisations who formally support marriage equality in Australia.
On Wednesday 2 December, Neami provided a tour of our services to 11 Kwai Chung Hospital staff, including their CEO.
Tamara, Service Manager at Neami Way2Home, recently spoke to The Huffington Post about how extreme weather is a critical time for homeless services to step up.
Neami National, with cohealth and North Western Mental Health are conducting a project to evaluate the effectiveness of the Northern and Arion Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) services in Victoria.
A holistic program aimed at tackling homelessness and improving Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) within Melbourne’s Aboriginal population has won a Victorian Homelessness Achievement Award.
Neami Broken Hill has helped dozens of people avoid hospital and transition back into the community.
Neami Arts Coordinator, Vaso Hay and consumer and artist, Betty, recently spoke to Radio Adelaide about the Sentimental Journey Art Exhibition and the role of art in recovery.
Neami National has launched its latest service, the Cairns Community Recovery Program (CCU) in Far-North Queensland. This service is a partnership with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
Far Northerners will today get a chance to see the new $10 million facility, Cairns Community Care Unit (CCU), that will support some of the region’s most vulnerable and at risk residents.
As the weather warms, it is important for consumers and staff to be vigilant of managing their physical health. The risk of heat illness and skin trauma (sunburn) increases significantly during the summer months.
Sentimental Journey, an art exhibition running in November at John Harvey Gallery, will showcase the work of a group of South Australian artists who live with a mental illness.
Celebrate World Mental Health Day in Adelaide SA at the Festival of Now
Neami will be involved in a range of events and activities throughout Mental Health Week, a week to build awareness, educate, and activate people about mental health
Local mental health services across the Hunter have united to create a series of family film screenings throughout October to celebrate Mental Health Month.
West Australians with mental illness are being offered the chance to take control of their own wellbeing thanks to a new step-up step-down sub-acute service in Joondalup.
As the Peer Health Coaching (PHC) comes to the end of the pilot period, we celebrate the achievements of the project for consumers wishing to work on a specific physical health goals.
Talented local artist Joanne Braddy will present a solo exhibition at the Strathpine Community Centre next week as part of the 2015 Mental Health Community Resource Expo.
SANE Australia and Neami National are proud to announce that the Peer Health Coaching Program has won the Mental Health Services Conference 2015 award in the Physical Health and/or Primary Care category. The award will be presented in Canberra today during opening proceedings of the annual conference.
In partnership with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHS) Neami will be providing a new Community Care Unit in Cairns.
The latest Clear Thinking from Neami covers the end of an era for Splash, an innovative new service in Cairns, changes in SA, TheMHS 2015 and supporting health conversations
Neami Frankston invites artists affected by mental illness to submit expressions of interest for the annual Mental Health Week Peninsula Art Exhibition.
Staff at Neami Dubbo have undergone Seasons for Healing training at the Dubbo Loss and Grief (LAG) centre. The training focused on learning to help people overcome trans-generational grief.
Eastern Sydney PIR in partnership with OneWave and Lets Go Surfing have been working on The OneWave Surfing Experience which has been featured in some media of late.
Ahead of the COAG Leaders Retreat, Neami along with 90 others from the mental health sector and beyond have written to the Prime Minister and First Ministers calling for urgent action on reforms COAG agreed to in 2012.
The final evaluation report for the Neami Macarthur Youth Mental Health and Housing Project (MYP) is now available on our website. The evaluation report describes the outcomes for young people during the project regarding housing, personal wellbeing, and social connectedness.
Team members share the story of our partnership with Sunrise Health Service establishing a mental health service in Ngukurr in Arnhem Land
SANE Australia and Neami National are working together to develop the Peer Health Coach programme which recruits and trains Peer Health Coaches in community based support programs around Australia.
Run for the last three years by Carrington Health in partnership with Neami, the Healthier Lifestyles program recognises that people with mental illness may experience unwanted weight gain due to their medications and the wider health ramifications of their illness.
Painting has opened up a new world for Malcolm Derwas – and given his something to strive for. Mr Derwas is one of the longest-attending South Australian participants in Neami's weekly art groups.
Neami National CEO Arthur Papakotsias has announced changes to services in South Australia as a result of recent state funding decisions.
Congratulations to Adam Burns for his Melbourne Health 2015 Excellence in Nursing Award
Neami National will be a Gold Sponsor of the TheMHS Conference in Canberra from 25-28 August 2015.
Seclusion, restraint and restrictive practices in mental health is gaining attention after the National Mental Health Commission recently formalised its position paper on this human rights issue.
Our much-loved Splash Art Studio is set to close at the end of the month due to state funding cuts. Harrison from the Preston Leader dropped by to talk to us and Marnie Woods, one of the talented artists currently exhibiting at Splash.
After nineteen years of nurturing the arts practices of people with an experience of mental illness, Splash is closing at the end of June 2015.
To mark this event, Splash is doing what it does so well – hosting a spectacular group exhibition!
Neami staff and consumers clock up as many ‘steps’ they can take over 2 weeks (18 May –31 May) and challenge both themselves and other Neami service teams to take the most steps. 10,000 steps per day is the ultimate goal!
More funding needed in Far West NSW to support transitions from residential services back into the community
Neami was at the Tackle Smoking Tour 2015 organised by Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS) in Wellington.
The Southern Times Messenger reports on new Neami Crisis Respite services in South Australia that will be available from mid-year.
Rough sleepers were left helpless and exposed to the elements as extreme weather hits Sydney. Staff from the City’s homelessness unit worked with the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Neami, Missionbeat, NSW Health and NSW Police to assist rough sleepers in the city.
Artist, actor, and creative, Malcolm Berry has a new exhibition showing at the Collingwood Gallery.
Malcolm will be donating a portion of the proceeds of his Relics exhibition to a number of Mental health organisations including The Mental Illness Fellowship, MAPrc, (Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre), and Neami – services that he sees as “outstanding organisations supporting people who live with mental illness”.
The Supported Decision Making Project investigates and support the rights, agency and self-determination of people in the mental health system.
We are looking at how Neami peer worker roles will look in various new settings and how to best support peer workers.
Spend some time with Neami Support Worker Darren Slockee on ABC Newcastle's Meet the Mob program.
Mental Health Australia had joined with Neami and 70 other mental health services to release an open letter to the Prime Minister asking the Federal Government to provide certainty to federally funded mental health services beyond 30 June 2015.
We have launched our first social media channels; you can now find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.
Reforms and re-tenders; New service opens in NSW; Results of CRM study; Marching with pride
Neami Frankston is joining with a number of other service providers from the Peninsula Region to run an event to support people from the Hastings area to access support services.
A collaboration between Neami Dubbo and Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol for Dubbo and Region grabbed the attention of the Dubbo Weekender in early February.
The work of Neami Homelessness service, Way2Home was mentioned in an Inner West Courier piece on people sleeping rough on Sydney's streets. The article reports on how the February 2015 numbers are higher than last year and spotlights Way2Home and it's patrols of Sydney's Homelessness hot spots.
Neami has seen some notable media mentions recently with Neami's participation in the WA and Victorian Pride Marches being noticed by a number of media outlets. A brief mention in the Star Observer has highlighted Neami National and Neami Western Australia as 'LGBTI Champions'.
Neami National, Greater Metro South Brisbane Partners in Recovery Program and the Brisbane Hoarding and Squalor Working Group are hosting a forum for organisations and individuals working with or concerned for people experiencing hoarding and/or squalor.
The forum features sessions of presenters and guest speakers covering a range of topics to create an open discussion and build a collaborative response to hoarding and squalor within the Greater Metro South Brisbane Region
In preparation for the summer months we have new resources providing tips on how to prepare, protect and prevent illness caused by extreme heat.
The WALK A MILE in my shoes exhibition opens this Thursday 4th December and showcases the work of our South Australian artists who live with a mental illness.
You are warmly invites you to the opening celebration of the Splash Art Studio 17th Annual Summer exhibition on Wednesday 3rd December from 4pm - 6pm.
This morning we launched our new website. It has been developed from the ground up in collaboration with staff and consumers across the country.
We’re proud to have crafted a site with both style and substance, that strongly reflects our organisational values and our approach to recovery and positive change.
Homelessness effects over 105,237 people across Australia, with over 490 people experiencing primary homelessness in Sydney alone – sleeping on the streets or in their cars. In the Sutherland Shire, South Eastern Sydney’s Partners in Recovery Program (or PIR) has been working to support a coordinated approach to ending homelessness.
Consumers, carers and key stakeholders present the top issues of concern from across Victoria’s Mental Health Sector.
Neami National CEO Arthur Papakotsias has announced that Neami’s Splash Art Studio will close as of 30 June 2015 due to funding changes in the Victorian mental health sector.
The exhibition offers a rare insight into the history of two significant programs and an opportunity to see captivating work produced by the participants over the course of time.
The Victorian Government is changing the way people get support for their mental health from August 2014.
Consumers, carers and key stakeholders present the top issues of concern from across Victoria’s Mental Health Sector.
As one of Australia’s largest mental health services, Neami National has added its voice to the global campaign for greater investment in community mental health services.
The Annual Report marks the highlights and achievements of the organisation in the last financial year. The Neami National Service Improvement Report outlines the role support services can play in the lives of those accessing them and the growth and change that can occur with a collaborative, individually focussed mental health support relationship.
The Far West Mental Health Recovery Centre (Neami Broken Hill) has won the 2014 Far West LHD Health Innovation Award.
At least 25 specialist mental health organisations helping the homeless, domestic violence victims and young people face an uncertain future after the Napthine government stripped them of funding.
The City of Sydney will continue funding its successful Way2Home project until July.
Way2Home, an assertive outreach service operated by Neami and St Vincents Hospital that is co-funded by the City, has supported 189 people who were previously chronically homeless in the inner city into permanent housing.
Neami Broken Hill, a new community based mental health facility, opens its doors to the public.
Premier Colin Barnett opened WA's first home-style mental health facility yesterday in the third major announcement in the portfolio this week.
The Platform 70 initiative to halve homelessness by 2020 is just one-year-old but is already having early success in getting people off the streets of the inner-city suburb of Woolloomooloo.
Platform 70, a program helping people living rough to get into their own accommodation, has managed to get 100 people in inner Sydney into sustained housing tenancies in the space of three years.
The City of Sydney is claiming a victory in its efforts to reduce homelessness, recording 25 per cent fewer rough sleepers on city streets in its biannual count this week compared with two years ago.