IN an era where people are more inclined to pick up their phone than actually speak to another human about a problem, a new app for humans needing help with mental health issues is hoped to lower the drawbridge between them and the services available.
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“The app will be free and a way to centralise all the mental health information available and link people with professional help,” Upper Hunter Community Services (UHCS) manager Sue Milton said.
“Whether it’s someone with depression, anxiety, in need of a counsellor, or perhaps the friend or family member of someone who needs help.”
The UHCS app is as yet unnamed but is the work-in-progress of Mrs Milton; community development worker Mel Atkinson and community capacity builder, Jess Dallah, who have identified the high need in the community.
“UHCS runs 11 programs which allows us the opportunity to meet with many people in the community and we are certainly aware that mental health issues do not discriminate,” Mrs Milton said.
App users will be able to link to local organisations as well as services like Headspace, Kid’s Helpline and the Suicide Call Back Service and also make direct calls.
According to Mrs Atkinson, clients and organisations find it difficult to find a centralised, user-friendly way to access mental health information.
“We came to the realisation an app would have the most impact, a digitalised form kept up to date, interactive, free and accessible for all device types,” she said.
“The app will act as that go-between to connect people who are experiencing mental health issues in a user-friendly way to access all the information available.”
Mrs Milton said they were excited to work with Muswellbrook local Max Jones of Upper Hunter Computers to design and produce the app.
She added funding from BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal was integral to the app’s development and was part of the UHCS Capacity Building project.
Consultation with community members and local services has taken place over the past 18 months and the plan is to release the app during October’s Mental Health Month.
“We’re not doing it in a hurry, we don’t want it to fail,” Mrs Milton said.
UHCS staff members also aim to be proactive in the app’s development and take it to community groups and small focus groups before its release.
“Feedback from the community is invaluable and greatly appreciated,” Mrs Milton said.
“We’re here to help, we have mental health professionals available, male and female, and every staff member is trained in mental health first aid and suicide prevention.
“Anyone can ring us, we have an open door and if we can’t help with something we’ll find someone who can.”
UHCS operates from the Queen Victoria building at the roundabout near the underpass and regional art gallery in Muswellbrook.
