Western NSW Local Health District integrated mental health and drug and alcohol services director Jason Crisp said the centre is being set up in such a way it will provide support to people to live in the community who might otherwise seek treatment at Bloomfield.

Western NSW Local Health District will run the centre in partnership with the Aftercare organisation.

Mr Crisp said the centre will be open for extended hours from 8am to 10pm to provide a range of support services for people in the community living with mental health issues saying the agencies that will operate out of LikeMind will play a pivotal role in keeping people out of a mental institution.

“Aftercare will be working closely with the Western NSW Local Health District and it is a non-government organisation with a long history of providing high quality mental health services throughout Australia,” Mr Crisp said.

Aftercare management says its mission for Orange’s LikeMind centre and its 50 other centres across Australia is to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of clients through a belief in social justice and a commitment to collaborative learning and recovery for people living with a mental illness.

The services to be provided by Aftercare at LikeMind will be to help people with a mental illness and their families by providing services that help people build on their ability to be independent, and help strengthen family and friendship networks.

Mr Crisp said the LikeMind centre model is designed to allow anyone with a mental illness to drop in and ask for help and support.

“This could include finding a GP, accessing housing or employment services or drug and alcohol services,” Mr Crisp said.

Mr Crisp said the centre will be staffed by existing community mental health staff employed by the Western NSW Local Health District.

He said the statewide program to transition long stay Bloomfield patients (more than 365 days) to appropriate community-based services is not linked to LikeMind, and is a separate program.

Orange’s LikeMind centre is the first to be announced for regional NSW.

If you or someone you know needs help call the mental health line on 1800 011 511.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au