cohealth

We recently welcomed Ingrid Stitt MP to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Brimbank, to announce an expanded and more accessible range of services for the community.

cohealth, in partnership with Jesuit Social Services, has introduced outreach and dual diagnosis workers who will engage with people in the community who may need support.

To improve access for those who cannot attend in person during the week, Saturday telehealth appointments are now available.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Brimbank is a free, no appointment necessary, no referral required service that connects people to a range of mental health services and social supports under one roof.

Find out more about our expanded services: https://org.pulse.ly/yydrgqqe04

cohealth dietitian Jane Duyker and peer worker Nigel Pernu spoke to ABC News about ‘Cook to Connect’ - a free community cooking class designed to address food insecurity and social isolation during the cost-of-living crisis.

A survey done by the City of Melbourne last year found almost a third of respondents were struggling to afford food.

The program, in partnership with the City of Melbourne, invites community members to cook healthy food using budget-friendly ingredients.

A library in Melbourne is trading books for food to address cost pressures and social isolation A free cooking program is teaching low-cost recipes as the City of Melbourne says 1 in 3 residents experience food insecurity.

Last week, our incredible Yakeen Tharn team hosted two special community events in Braybrook and Collingwood for National Reconciliation Week. 🖤❤️💛

Everyone gathered to pay respects to the Elders and Traditional Owners of the land, followed by a shared lunch, live music, and the opportunity to connect with one another.

“National Reconciliation Week is a time of reflection on our history but is also as a crucial step toward healing and unity,” says Yorta Yorta man Glen Scott, who supports other First Nations community members to improve their health and wellbeing.

“Reconciliation requires us all to work together to acknowledge historical injustices and find our common threads.”

This year's Reconciliation Week theme "Now More Than Ever" reminds us that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will—and must—continue.

cohealth is proud to be among the organisations that recommit their full support for the The Uluru Statement from the Heart.

This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week, "Now More Than Ever" highlights the urgent need to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

As Allies, we will continue to be led by the voices of cohealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members and the communities we work with, to build our shared vision for a just and equal Australia.

Read the Statement of Commitment here: https://alliesforuluru.antar.org.au/media

On National Sorry Day, cohealth honours the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on the historical and ongoing mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We recognise this trauma, along with other effects of colonisation, is passed down through generations.

At cohealth, we embrace our responsibility to address the health and wellbeing inequities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people.

Everyday, we are committed to reconciliation and actively supporting the healing journey to make a better future for all.

cohealth is proud to announce we will deliver on-site support and health services as part of the City of Melbourne’s supported housing initiative, Make Room.

Make Room will have 50 studio apartments at 602 Little Bourke Street, providing safe, supported housing for people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Melbourne.

Today marks a major construction milestone for the project, with the completion of the first of 50 apartments.

When Make Room opens, our on-site wraparound social and health support services will include mental health, housing, and legal supports, as well as dental, women’s health, and podiatry.

By coupling housing with essential wraparound health services, we're not just addressing homelessness— we have the opportunity to change lives.

The initiative is supported by City of Melbourne, Unison Housing, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and Harris HMC.

Today marks the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia. 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

At cohealth, we believe in the freedom to express one’s true self, without fear of judgement.

We recognise that many LGBTQIA+ Australians still face discrimination and barriers to accessing health and support services.

That is why we take pride in being an organisation that is committed to LGBTQIA+ inclusion and providing safe access to healthcare for all.

Today and everyday, we stand with the LGBTQIA+ community. 🌈

Everyone is welcome at cohealth.

Join cohealth’s Yakeen Tharn Aboriginal health team for two special Reconciliation Action Week events.

Following a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at each event, attendees will have an opportunity to connect with each other, enjoy some live music and a free lunch.

Capacity is limited to 100 people, so please RSVP before Tuesday 21 May.

Find out more: https://org.pulse.ly/nrbc3ye7ll

Recently, cohealth’s Refugee Health Team hosted a powerful online forum for over 150 coworkers.

Together, we learnt about the history of Palestine, reflected on the meaning of solidarity, and discussed how to best support, and advocate for, people who are impacted.

For many years, our incredible Refugee Health Team has provided trauma-informed, compassionate healthcare for people who have arrived here seeking asylum or refuge. They have a deep understanding of the impacts of conflict and are seeing firsthand the devastating impact of this ongoing crisis, in their communities.

All the speakers shared incredibly valuable insights and experiences, and with a cohealth working group forming, our advocacy efforts will only strengthen.

We continue to advocate for an immediate and enduring humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

New research by Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW reveals people with the lowest income and least wealth are being left behind by the increasing inequality in Australia.

The report shows wealth inequality has escalated over the past two decades, with the highest 10% capturing almost half of the overall increase in wealth between 2003 – 2022.

Read the full report here:https://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Inequality-Report-2024_who-is-affected-and-how.pdf

Invitations to take part in the 2024 Victorian Healthcare Experience Survey have started going out to cohealth clients!

Participation is confidential, takes only 15 minutes, and helps us continue to deliver high quality healthcare.

More information is available on our website: https://org.pulse.ly/dft91xzctx

Help cohealth improve our services by sharing your feedback in the 2024 Victorian Healthcare Experience Survey.

Invitations to participate will be sent at random to Victorians who have engaged with cohealth services between 1 Jan - 24 Feb 2024.

The survey will take around 15 minutes to complete, and all submissions will be anonymous.

Thank you for helping us improve the quality of our services! For more info, visit https://org.pulse.ly/5yjw3wgxhg

cohealth is incredibly proud to be acknowledged as a Gold Service Provider at yesterday’s national Pride in Health + Wellbeing awards! 🏆

Our amazing Health Promotion team also won the Health Innovation Award for their work to improve the health outcomes of people from the LGBTIQA+ community. 🏳️‍🌈

A huge congratulations also to Illawarra & Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centres for winning the Most Improved Service Provider Award and St Vincent's Health Network Sydney who was named 2024 Service Provider of the Year! 🎉

We are honoured to be part of such a fabulous event that celebrates the outstanding achievements of our fellow staff and healthcare providers.

Thank you Pride in Health + Wellbeing and ACON for recognising our ongoing commitment to improving LGBTIQA+ inclusion and equality in community health.

Today, on day, we recognise the continued need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have access to free and high quality health services developed through open conversations with them.

Last year's referendum saw Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc bring together 50 health organisations with the common goal of addressing health and wellbeing inequity, and we're proud of the work our Yakeen Tharn Aboriginal Health team do every day to ensure our services meet the needs of the communities who need them most.

Let's continue working together to .

Join cohealth's central city team tomorrow at Drill Hall, Victoria Square Precinct for a taste of cultural diversity to celebrate Harmony Week.

Work together with other participants to prepare, cook, and feast on dishes from a variety of cuisines across the globe, and enjoy cultural artwork made by local artists.

Register for free to this communal cooking experience at https://events.humanitix.com/cooking-with-cohealth-a-taste-of-cultural-diversity

Reverends from four Melbourne city churches have written an open letter to the Premier in support of a CBD supervised injecting service.

“Motivated by the call of our faith to love God and neighbour and our enduring Christian commitment to justice and the sanctity of life, we remain committed to ensuring Melbourne is a place that nurtures the wellbeing of all its citizens, including those most vulnerable.

We don’t step around those in need, we don’t cart them to the edges of the city."

Read the full piece by Rachel Eddie at The Age:

‘Salvation is about saving lives’: CBD churches plead for safe injecting room Spurred by their faith and dozens of overdose deaths, city church leaders have thrown their support behind a safe injecting room in Melbourne’s CBD as the government wavers on its commitment.

New data shows that the majority of Victorians support injecting rooms. The Victorian Government led the way in establishing Victoria's first injecting room in North Richmond. Now it's time to open an overdose prevention service in Melbourne's CBD that will save lives and connect people to treatment and support.

“Victorians understand that compassion and evidence-based approaches to drug use save lives and connect people to support, resulting in better health outcomes for individuals and the community,” said cohealth Deputy Chief Executive, Chris Turner.

We’re excited to join the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation to present the Sons of the West program for 2024! Now in its tenth year, the program is a free mental health and wellbeing program for men aged 18 and over who work or live in the west.

Through Sons of the West, you can:

🔴 learn about health and wellbeing
⚪ get active
🔵 make new friends and connect with your community.

Across ten weeks, you’ll hear from health presenters on different topics, and participate in fun, group-based exercise sessions.

Sons of the West 2024 kicks off in early March. Register today to join a program near you.

Today is forecast to be extremely hot. To stay safe in the heat, follow these tips.

- Drink more water than you usually do

- Don't leave anyone (including animals) in a car

- Find somewhere cool to be if you can (public spaces with aircon are a good solution)

- Plan ahead by organising any activities or errands for the coolest part of the day

- Check in on neighbours or anyone you know who may need support.

For more information on how to stay safe in extreme heat, go to Better Health Channel.

Hot summer days can be uncomfortable for everyone, but for vulnerable members of our community they can be life threatening. That’s why we’ve partnered with City of Melbourne to operate a Cooling Relief Centre in Melbourne’s CBD.

📍 Micro-Labs, 227-229 Bourke St
🌡️ Open weekdays over 35℃
🕓 1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday

The Bourke St centre is open weekday afternoons when the temperature is over 35 degrees. Cold drinks and refreshments are available in a safe, air-conditioned space, with extra support available from cohealth health workers.

cohealth is proud to sign on to Healthy Futures call for federal funding for rooftop solar systems on social housing buildings.

Heat-related illnesses claim thousands of Australian lives each year, leading to heart attacks, kidney failure, and strokes. Alarmingly, approximately one-third of these heat-related deaths can be attributed to extreme temperatures resulting from climate change.

Unfortunately, many social housing dwellings inadequately shield occupants from the heat. A staggering 94.5% of low-income individuals surveyed in 2023 reported avoiding air conditioning due to its prohibitive cost.

To address this critical issue, we're joining the call for the installation of solar panels and renewable-powered reverse cycle air conditioning in social housing. These measures will not only protect vulnerable community members from extreme temperatures but also reduce the overall cost of living and mitigate the impact of climate change.

Please join us in signing the 'Save Lives with Solar' open letter at https://www.healthyfutures.net.au/solar

Save Lives with Solar Join us in calling for installation of solar panels on social housing.

”Access to housing makes a huge difference,” says cohealth’s Andrea Calleja, Program Facilitator at Buckley Street. “We work with people as they learn to live in a space again.”

At Buckley Street Supportive Accommodation, cohealth has partnered with Unison Housing to deliver supportive accommodation for people who have experienced long-term homelessness.

Here, over 50 residents are supported to live in their new homes with food donations and household essentials, like pots and pans for cooking. Once these basics are established, the team can help residents meet their health and wellbeing needs.

The support a person receives is based on what they want and need.

“It will always be their choice. We’ll never tell people what we think they need to work on,” says Andrea.

Often, there is the opportunity to link residents with other cohealth services. So far, 26 residents have become cohealth clients, and that number is expected to grow.

“By working with clients, we work out that a lot of things they have said they want and need are things that cohealth provides,” says Andrea.

“For example, if we have any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander residents, we can connect them with the Yakeen Tharn team. Or if they are refugees, we can connect them to our refugee health team.”

As well as links to other health and social services, residents have been given support finding employment, preparing court statements, working towards family reunification, and accessing educational opportunities.

“Finding employment is something that could only really happen with housing,” says Andrea.

Prioritising secure, stable housing first means that each resident has a solid foundation to set and reach their goals.

"We approach this as housing-first,” says Andrea. “But then we ask, what’s next?”

cohealth’s Yakeen Tharn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health team today facilitated ‘Keep Surviving’ team sessions, both in person and online. The team spoke about how creating space to consider our relationships with nature, the people around us, and ourselves can help us better understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' connection with each other and the land.

We’re incredibly grateful for the Yakeen Tharn team’s generosity, and for helping us understand the importance of laughter, community, and reflection on a day that is so difficult for many in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

cohealth stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities today as we reflect on the pain, trauma, and displacement caused by colonisation.

cohealth stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as we reflect on the pain, trauma, and displacement caused by colonisation.

Listening to and learning from the people around us is a key part of our work to improve health and social equity for all.

Today, members of our team have chosen to dedicate time to learning about our shared history and the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be impacted by the effects of colonisation.

We hope that you too are able to find time today to reflect on what 26 January represents for many in our community, and consider the things we can all do to help make a positive impact in the lives of those impacted by colonisation.

Although for many people it's a time of joy and connection, the holiday period can be hard for some people. Social pressure, loneliness, isolation, and complicated family relationships can make it a difficult time of year.

The holiday season can also be busy and indulgent. Sometimes we forget to do the things that keep us healthy.

Here are some tips from our mental health teams for prioritising your health and wellbeing this holiday season.