Support

Immediate support

If you are experiencing a personal crisis and need immediate support, you can contact:

• Lifeline who provide a 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Phone 13 11 14 at any time or visit the Lifeline website.
• Beyond Blue who provide information and support to help everyone achieve their best mental health. Phone 1300 224 636 or visit the Beyond Blue website.
• ACT Mental Health, Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) who provide a 24-hour, highly accessible and responsive acute mental health assessment and treatment service in the most appropriate setting. Phone 1800 629 354 or visit the Health Directorate website.
• Wellways who provide support and information to people experiencing mental health issues, as well as their family, friends and carers. Phone 1300 111 400 or visit the Wellways website.

Ongoing support

• Your General Practitioner can help if you are experiencing moderate anxiety or depression. Your doctor can complete a mental health treatment plan and provide a referral for free sessions with a psychologist under the ACT Medicare Local's HealthinMind Program. Your GP can also assist with information about the risks to your physical health of potential asbestos exposure.
• Next Step provides free and confidential support to help tackle day-to-day pressures. Next Step's mental health professionals have experience dealing with clients who have been affected by Mr Fluffy and will continue to support affected households. The program includes six free sessions with a Next Step coach over the phone or face-to-face. Phone 6287 8066 to make an appointment or visit the Next Step website to book an appointment online.
• Relationships Australia provide specialist family and relationship counselling and dispute resolution services. Phone 1300 364 277 to make an appointment or visit the Relationships Australia website.
• ACT Health, Community Health Centres provide access to a wide range of community health services from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Phone the Community Health Intake (CHI) line on 6207 9977 or visit the Health Directorate website for information on services available and the location of a health centre close to you.
• OneLink provide information and easy access to support services in the ACT. They can connect people to a wide range of services, including child, youth and family services, financial counselling and mental health services. OneLink is delivered by Woden Community Service. Phone 1800 176 468 or visit the OneLink website.

Personal Support Team

The Personal Support Team (PST) is a compassionate unit of experienced professionals that can assist people affected by loose fill asbestos insulation in the ACT.

Case coordinators are available to work individually with affected families seeking assistance with the Government’s Voluntary Buyback Program. They can connect people with relevant community support, and regularly engage with our community service partners to improve outcomes.

Members of the PST have held over 800 face-to-face meetings with people in their local areas at community service centres in Belconnen, Dickson, Tuggeranong and Woden.

The team has been integral in supporting homeowners through the initial response following asbestos assessments of properties, and now during the demolition and buyback phases.

Members of the team have diverse experience in case management. They come from work environments including disaster recovery, mental health, housing and homelessness, crisis services, children and young people, therapy, people with disabilities, drug and alcohol issues, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The PST also comprises officers from Access Canberra who are dedicated to taking your calls when you call us on 13 22 81. These officers are key partners of the Taskforce and are well briefed and informed when it comes to providing you with advice and answers to your questions.

During periods of high community demand, the PST provided outreach services at community service venues in Canberra suburbs. This was a great way for homeowners to call in and get information face to face, as well as book meetings with their PST officer to discuss questions in more detail.

In July 2016 the PST stopped working off site as the demand had significantly reduced. However, the PST continues to access meeting rooms on an appointment basis to meet with individuals at their request. PST officers also regularly attend community events and visit neighbours of Mr Fluffy houses prior to their demolition, providing information and advice during door knocking activities.

If you would like to connect with a member of the Personal Support Team about your circumstances or arrange an appointment at a community service centre please contact the team on 13 22 81 or email asbestostaskforce@act.gov.au.