Our community is divided - is there enough support or is there too much to choose from that we done know what to do?

OASIS is defined in the Oxford dictionary as “any fertile spot in a desert, where water can be found”. While Hervey Bay has no comparison to a desert, The Oasis facility based at the Hervey Bay Hospital is a place for support in times of crisis.

The Oasis is an after-hours alternative to the Emergency Department for people experiencing mental health crisis, distress or thoughts of suicide. It’s a safe and relaxed space where you simply enjoy the restfulness of a comfortable chair, have a coffee or tea and talk to someone who can support you.

From its launch in February 2022 through to today, The Oasis has experienced strong demand, with over 1000 presentations from people of all ages – roughly half of which from people returning for 
support without needing to re-present to the Emergency Department (ED).

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari discusses the examples of the many lives being saved and changed by the new Oasis service, through providing an alternative model of care for people 
experiencing mental health crisis or distress.

“The Oasis is one of eight crisis support spaces being trialled across Queensland, as part a $61.9 million commitment in 2019 by the Palaszczuk Government to improve mental health crisis care,” Mr Tantari said.

“Crisis support spaces provide a combination of peer and clinical support in a welcoming and homely environment, and aim to provide an alternative to the emergency department while also improving people’s crisis care experiences and outcomes.

“Located near the entrance to the Hervey Bay Hospital emergency department, The Oasis launched in February last year as a limited-hours service, but has recently extended its hours due to strong growth in demand and hugely positive feedback from consumers.

The Oasis is now open seven days a week, 2pm-9pm, to provide timely crisis care for people in need. “During Mental Health Week, we’re reminded more than ever of our priorities to reduce suicide and enhance our crisis care, particularly given the extra pressure the COVID-19 pandemic has put on people’s mental health and demand for services,” Mr Tantari said.

“That’s why we committed $1.6 billion to the state Better Care Together five-year mental health plan in our previous Budget. This new investment will enable significant expansion of crisis support spaces across Queensland, including one in Bundaberg that’s due to open early next year.”

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board Chair Peta Jamieson said the Oasis was a great demonstration of WBHHS’s broader goals to deliver more care locally and enhance holistic health care.

“The Oasis is all about providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Ms Jamieson said.

“This service is different because it’s led by peer workers, who use their own lived experience of mental health challenges to provide support and hope to people as they work towards recovery.

“It’s also the only one of its kind in Queensland open to people as young as 16, enabling more young people struggling with their mental health to benefit from this life-changing model of care.”

WBHHS Executive Director of Mental Health and Specialised Services Robyn Bradley said one of the key aspects of the new service was that it enabled suitable people who presented to the emergency department to be fast-tracked to The Oasis – or to bypass the ED completely. 

“The Oasis is helping us to fundamentally change the way we respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis,” Ms Bradley said.

“Previously, people experiencing a mental health crisis – particularly after hours – would present to our emergency department because this was their only option or, even worse, would not reach out for help at all because of previous poor experiences in an ED.” 

“Our ED staff do an amazing job under intense pressure, but their expertise is in providing emergency medical care. In many cases, when someone attends an ED with mental health challenges, they can experience long waits in an environment that can exacerbate their distress. 

“In the relatively short time it’s been open, it’s clear the Oasis team is filling a crucial gap in our services and drawing enormous praise from consumer, carers and community providers alike.”

Access to the Oasis is voluntary and can be connected with either by the emergency department, a recommendation from another community provider or simply presenting directly to The Oasis which is a few metres from the Hervey Bay Hospital Emergency Department building.

The Oasis is an environment that creates connections and people relate to. The Peer Workers build that connection through an understanding and “lived experience” that can provide comfort to visitors in desperate times.

Amii Gardiner is one of the Peer Workers that respects everyone who uses the space and knows that feeling of reaching out for support.

“They are not going to be judged when they come here”, says Amii. “We know it’s a journey….it’s an ongoing process that we are here for people”.

Amii was in this position of needing help some years ago and is evidence that support can change your life. “I remember visiting a doctor and how it important his language was to me……..it made a big impact on me”.

Jesse Young is another that has experienced challenging times with his mental health and is now channeling his learnings into the Peer Worker role. His motivation and career direction has been formed from his darkest times and now his focus is sharing his experience with others to turn their lives around.

“I’ve been through the system”, says Jesse. “I now have a sense of purpose and meaningful employment that motivates me”. It is clear his mantra is very much about “giving back” that provides the satisfaction he enjoys in the role.

The Oasis will support people aged 16 yeas and older, regardless of whether or not they have a pre-existing mental health diagnosis.

It’s suitable for you if you’re:

• Experiencing situational crisis or distress
• Having thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Presenting as part of a recovery / crisis / safety plan
• Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
• Experiencing trauma, grief or a personal crisis
• No in need of immediate medical care.

For more information visit: www.widebay.health.qld.gov.au/services/mental-health-crisis-support/mental-health-crisis-support-hervey-bay-hospital