The First Step Program

“I was squatting in St Kilda when someone told me about First Step. I remember the advice she gave me: ‘They’re tough but fair. Don’t bu****it them and they won’t bu****it you.’ So, I drank about a bottle of whisky because it made me so nervous to even think about talking to a counsellor or anyone, and I stumbled in the front door.

I don’t remember it very clearly, but Dr Niall says I made a lot of jokes. Within a few days he got me stable, and the mental health team reached out to my family, who of course took me in. It was rocky as hell - a lot of anger, a lot of tears, but a lot of hugs too. Turns out they did still love me, they just couldn’t bear the rollercoaster anymore. I promised them I’d do better. They were pretty sceptical but this time I kept my promise because I had the support I needed.” – Antonio

At First Step, we focus on ‘incremental whole-of-life improvements.’ What this means is that progress in one area, such as mental health, leads to progress in another area, such as addiction.

Read more of Antonio’s story on Friday.

Join us in our mission to create a community where people who use drugs and alcohol and people living with mental distress can live well, be safe and be supported.

Become a monthly donor today and make a world of difference in the lives of those we support.

Join now: https://www.firststep.org.au/donate

“I'd been out of prison for 2 weeks when I staggered through the door at First Step, a total bloody mess.

When I got out, I realised I had no place to go, was deathly anxious about seeing my family, couldn't see how I could ever get a job, and felt like a pile of you know what. So, I used, big time and overdosed twice in those two weeks. Looking back now, I don't know if I was trying to kill myself or was just being reckless - I guess it's a pretty fine line, especially when it comes to he**in. None of us are doing it because our lives are going great. We pretty much can’t bear to be with ourselves. That’s what it’s about. Escape.” – Antonio

People arrive at First Step with all of their life experiences – trauma, mental distress, poor physical health, legal issues, addiction, or housing insecurity.

Whatever it is that is going on, we are here to help.

Read more of Antonio’s story on Wednesday.

For all the fathers and the fathers-at-heart, thank you for your care and kindness!

We also know this can be a tough day too – if you’ve lost a child, lost a father, have a difficult relationship with your child, or with your father, we’re thinking of you today and every day.

On this day, we take a moment to remember the many lives lost to overdose – each one devastating to those left behind.

A few years ago, First Step decided to do more than simply 'remember' - we wanted to actively equip people with the knowledge and skills to recognise an overdose and do som**hing about it.

That tiny idea grew into the World's Largest Overdose Prevention Training.

Our aim was to reach the people who were most likely to witness an overdose: mums, dads, husbands, wives, friends, carers, supporters, workers, bystanders.

The training addresses the signs and symptoms of overdose and provides a demonstration on how to use the opioid reversal drug Naloxone.

You can watch this training here:
https://youtu.be/biml9-ITAws

Insomnia is when you don't get enough quality sleep, which can then affect how you feel during the day.

Good sleep habits can provide long-term solutions to sleep difficulties.

Over the next few weeks, we'll share some tips to help you establish some better sleep habits (from www.cci.health.wa.gov.au).

This Way Up offers a practical and free online program for insomnia that is worth checking out: https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/insomnia-program/

Tip #2: Sleep when sleepy
Only try to sleep when you actually feel tired or sleepy, rather than spending too much time awake in bed.

It takes courage to ask for help or help others, but you can do it and there are lots of people who can help you. You don’t need to be alone with a problem - ask for help.

STEP 1: Recognise you have a problem and need some help. Be honest and work out what the problem actually is. This can be the hardest step.

STEP 2: Think about who can help. Consider everyone you know and decide if they know enough to be able to help you.

It's also okay if you can't think of someone. You can call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

STEP 3: Approach them. Choose a time that is best for you and them.

STEP 4: Start by saying how you feel.

“I feel out of control...”
“I’m worried about …”

STEP 5: Name the problem. Naming the problem makes it real and helps you to talk through the problem. It also helps your supporter know
exactly what is going on.

“I feel out of control. I’m using too much m**h. I’m not having fun anymore. I'm feeling really depressed.”

“I’m worried about my brother. He’s doing m**h and he’s not the same. I’m worried about Mum too. I don’t know what to do.”

STEP 6: Ask for help. Be clear on what sort of support you would like.

“I feel out of control. I’m using too much m**h. I’m not having fun anymore. I'm feeling really depressed. Can you help me to come up with ways to cut down? I don’t think I can do it by myself.”

“I’m worried about my brother. He’s doing m**h and he’s not the same. I’m worried about Mum too. I don’t know what to do. Can you help me work out what I can do to help my brother and support Mum?”

For more trusted, evidence-based information about crystal m**hamphetamine ('ice') head over to Cracks in the Ice and check out their comprehensive range of resources specific to the Australian community.


cracksintheice.org.au
cracksintheice.org.au/document/library/asking-for-help.pdf

Myths about mental illness are not harmless - they result in judgement, discrimination and isolation of people with mental illness, as well as their families and carers.

Knowing the facts can help you be more compassionate to yourself and understanding of others.

Fact:
A vulnerability to some mental illnesses, such as bipolar mood disorder, can run in families. But other people develop mental illness with no family history.

Many factors contribute to the onset of a mental illness. These may include stress, bereavement, relationship breakdown, unemployment, social isolation, a major physical illness, physical and sexual abuse, or disability. Our understanding of the causes of mental illness is growing.

"If it feels safer and smarter (to run off to the mountains) than to access support through our mental health system, then what the hell are they for?...
Everyone experiencing crisis and distress deserves the opportunity to explore and understand our own why, in our own way , in our own time. But to do that in ways that are connected and held and accessible and safe. Lived Experience led approaches offer us just that. They are founded on stories and learning of survival, resilience and resistance."

Watch this heartfelt TED Talk from human rights advocate Katie Larsen:

Why people with lived experience must lead change | Katie Larsen | TEDxMaldon When people experience high levels of distress and crisis, it is most often a legitimate response to the traumatic experiences of their lives. Within Western...

Insomnia is when you don't get enough quality sleep, which can then affect how you feel during the day.

Good sleep habits can provide long-term solutions to sleep difficulties.

Over the next few weeks, we'll share some tips to help you establish some better sleep habits (from www.cci.health.wa.gov.au).

This Way Up offers a practical and free online program for insomnia that is worth checking out: https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/insomnia-program/

Tip #1: Get regular
One of the best ways to train your body to sleep well is to go to bed and get up at more or less the same time every day, even on weekends or days off! This regular rhythm will make you feel better and will give your body som**hing to work from.

Check out this short interview with a First Step client and team member talking about the courage needed to rediscover yourself.

How friendship changes in sobriety - ABC listen How would you define a true friend?

Excellent piece on the use of the word 'overdose' vs 'poisoning' or 'toxicity'.
What are your thoughts on this?

Why we use the term 'overdose' - International Overdose Awareness Day In 2024, we have decided to continue using the term ‘overdose’ and retain the name of this vital awareness day. Here’s why.

The First Step Lived and Living Experience Reference Group would like to invite you to their next event to explore the topic: 'Is Resilience Contagious? Rethinking what it means to help.'

This event will look at the unique and positive transformation that can occur for families, friends and clinicians from experiencing the resilience of the people they support as they travel the road that is recovery.

To help answer the question, the Group will bring together pairs of speakers who have experienced resilience and vicarious resilience together, hearing both sides of the story.

Places are limited and you must RSVP to secure your spot.

https://www.firststep.org.au/lle_event_aug24

Wednesday 28th August
12.00pm - 2.00pm

This will be the third event hosted by our Reference Group which is made up of past and present clients and aims to empower, exchange ideas, build social connections, challenge stigma and promote diversity.

Is resilience contagious? First Step is an addiction, mental health and legal services hub in the heart of St Kilda. Our unique multi-disciplinary team of GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, lawyers, mental health nurses, care coordinators, counsellors and psycho-social supports work to keep people connected to their families...

Thank you to Progressive Port Phillip and Southside Justice for the invitation to participate in this discussion around community safety.

We welcome and support opportunities that safely connect with, and bring our communities together to discuss important issues such as community safety and what that means for individuals, families, business owners and employees and visitors to our city. Alongside this, it is also an important opportunity to strengthen our shared understanding of the contributing factors, which often include complex and intergenerational considerations, and how we as a community have shared responsibly and commitment in working together for positive community outcomes.

Crime is again in the headlines but what’s happening beneath the bold print? Sunday’s Forum on community safety heard that we need to dig deeper to understand what’s going on.

The impressive range of contributors included Anika Dell, a consultant criminologist with deep expertise in public policy and community engagement; Mel Dye and Jess Ritcher of local community legal service, Southside Justice; James Brearley, an architect and Fitzroy Street business owner; and Mikey Daly of The First Step Program, a local addiction, mental health and legal services hub. With a warm introduction from The Stiletto Sisters!

Read more at https://progressiveportphillip.com/talking-facts-and-solutions-for-community-safety/

Our next Sunday Forum ( #4) is on Local Climate Action Now!, 2:30pm, 25th August. RSVP at https://events.humanitix.com/local-climate-action-now

‘You are not defined by your struggles, you are defined by the strength and courage you summon to face them.’ - Anon

"It's important that at every opportunity, we advocate for drug checking services that are inclusive and accessible. If we focus only on the festival setting, that doesn't really align with accessibility.

I want to see a drug checking model that allows access to anyone in Victoria that would want it, whether that's a festival, or any other population of people that use drugs.

Ultimately, I'd like a safe supply of drugs so we don't have this problem in the first place.

However, the latest data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey shows that less than 10% of the population would agree that we need to legalise possession of small amounts of drugs. The same survey found that 67% agree we should have drug checking, so that's a more pragmatic and practical next step."

- Dr Monica Barratt, Researcher, Social Equity Research Centre, RMIT University and Research Lead, The Loop Australia

Look at these GORGEOUS earrings! Our beautiful client Janette has made them and donated this entire bundle of gorgeousness to our clients! Thanks Janette!

‘Every step forward, no matter how small, is a reflection of your courage and determination.’ - Anon

"I'm not criticising people advocating for drug checking, but it's a classic situation of not seeing the woods for the trees. We need to ask ourselves, what is at stake if we continue to focus on pill testing for the relative few, rather than solutions for all?

It's an age old tension between incrementalism versus big reform. It's time to ask ourselves whether our commitment to incremental change is due to a fear of getting no change at all, is really just a political red herring.

I am worried that we are buying uncritically into short term incremental solutions, that are only partial solutions at best, for a small amount of people, and risk leaving those most harmed by our prohibitionist approach behind.

Somehow as advocates, we have to find a way to walk and chew gum at the same time. To continue our advocacy for evidence informed harm reduction services inclusive of diverse models of drug checking without sacrificing real change in the form or ending prohibition and criminalisation and providing safe and secure supply for all."

- Dr Annie Madden, Executive Director Harm Reduction Australia

"When we studied drug checking services, we found that when unexpected substances were detected, people were naturally more likely to discard the substance or do som**hing different with it, like take less of it.

This evidence comes not just from asking hypothetical questions, but from actually asking people what they did when they received the results.

This is what we're hoping for - people become informed and their behaviours is less risky than it otherwise would have been."

- Dr Monica Barratt, Researcher, Social Equity Research Centre, RMIT University and Research Lead, The Loop Australia

We're excited for this event and are grateful to Harm Reduction Australia for making it FREE and ONLINE so that all our team can tap in/out of relevant sessions. Register NOW. Block it out in your calendars! See you there (virtually)!

National Harm Reduction Forum – Harm Reduction Australia Currently in Australia, there is no regular mechanism to unite and bring those working in and around harm reduction and related sectors together at the national level. The National Harm Reduction Forum 2024  is a free, online event for important conversations on harm reduction and drug policy refo...

Dental Health Week focuses on the importance of caring for your teeth and gums to help keep your teeth and smile for life.

Common effects of using illicit drugs can include tooth grinding, a decrease in saliva causing a dry mouth, tooth decay and gum disease.

If you are a regular user of illicit drugs, it is important to have a check-up with your dentist to check for any damage to your teeth or gums. Make sure you tell your dentist about any illicit drugs that you use - they won't share this information but knowing this can help them to look after your teeth and mouth.

The theme for Homelessness Week 2024 is “Homelessness Action Now”.

First Step's innovative project in collaboration with Launch Housing, The Road Home Project, helps people in crisis accommodation improve their mental health and overall wellbeing by offering a trauma-informed mental health, addiction and legal service, which supports their transition into stable, long-term housing.

That is one of a raft of innovative projects that are being delivered in the community by housing organisations to end homelessness. Like our project, most are funded by philanthropy.

We call on the government to commit to ending homelessness, we know it can be done, but we can't do it alone.

Everyone needs a safe, secure, and comfortable home.

Whether you’re a renter or rental provider, a rental property must meet 14 categories of minimum standards. The standards apply to rental agreements that: ​
🏠 started on or after 29 March 2021​
🏠 started before 29 March 2021 and roll over into periodic agreements on or after 29 March 2021.

Visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website to learn about: ​
✅ The 14 standards ​
✅ Renters’ rights​
✅ Rental providers’ responsibilities ​
✅ Support available

Learn more: go.vic.gov.au/43ubPnl

💾 It’s hard to know where to start when searching for a safe place to store electronic copies of your important documents.

💻 One option is saving copies of your documents to your phone, computer, or tablet.

➡️ Learn the pros and cons of using your device today:
https://prepare.apps.justiceconnect.org.au/pros-cons/

Proudly partnered with Telstra 🤝

"Perhaps focusing on harm reduction suits politicians. It gives them a free pass where they can be seen to be doing som**hing for the middle class voters that they care about, but not forcing them to do anything meaningful about prohibition and it's many, many harms.

It keeps the issue firmly in the 'too hard' basket while we're all busily tinkering around the edges.

In my view, it's time to ask ourselves whether we are focused on the wrong problem. Should we continue to focus our advocacy on strategies to reduce the harms associated with the illicit drug market, or should we be asking, why is there an illicit drug market in the first place and what can be done to end it.

Does focusing all of our energy on drug checking just postpone the reality of prohibition, its well documented failing and its harms?"

- Dr Annie Madden, Executive Director Harm Reduction Australia

‘Even in times of chaos, remember to be gentle with yourself. You are a work in progress and every step froward is worth celebrating.’ - Anon

As we celebrate International Day of Friendship today, we acknowledge the important role friends play in supporting our health and wellbeing.

It’s been shown that people who are strongly connected to their social networks are physically healthier, more resilient and live longer. Connecting with friends can help you:

feel understood and cared for
feel that you are not alone
build confidence
handle problems more easily
access advice when facing difficult situations

People using alcohol or drugs, or people living with mental distress sometimes feel isolated, withdrawn or abandoned by family and friends.

Especially today, we encourage our community to reach out to their loved ones - friends are invaluable gifts to.

"There have been many unsanctioned, underground drug testing operations using reagent kits over many decades. But the first sanctioned drug checking operation in Australia was in 2018 at Canberra's Groovin the Moo Festival.

It's important for drug checking services to be government sanctioned because then we can use better technology and machinery, and get insurance - and that's important.

CanTEST started operating in Canberra in 2022 as a fixed site drug checking service. This means, you don't have to be at a festival, people can attend the fixed site, submit substances, find out what's in them and get some harm reduction advice.

This year, a fixed site opened in Queensland, and they also plan to have sites at festivals too.

Drug checking is starting to happen in Australia, but we're certainly not where we want to be yet."

- Dr Monica Barratt, Researcher, Social Equity Research Centre, RMIT University and Research Lead, The Loop Australia