Growing to meet the needs of the community: selectability Mount Isa

As Mount Isa’s largest provider of community and clinical mental health services, it’s no surprise that selectability has outgrown its long-time Miles Street office.  

Over the past 12 months, the Mount Isa team has added a number of new services to support the mental wellbeing of north-west communities, and now employs 20 locals – all working to deliver high quality services on the ground.

Renovations to region’s first Mental Health Hub are still underway, however the team made the move to the new offices, conveniently located at 7-9 West Street (in the old Playtime building), last week.

Recently appointed Regional Coordinator, Helen Davis, heads up the growing team and is committed to improving the mental wellbeing of the Mount Isa community. 

“Being located 900 kilomteres from the closest major city, Mount Isa has limited access to vital services,” said Helen.

 “Establishing a Mental Health Hub and expanding the number and types of services we offer is a really important step in improving community access to vital mental wellbeing support and suicide prevention programs.”

selectability Mount Isa last month started delivering the Beyond Blue-developed program -  The Way Back Support Service – providing support to people during the critical three-month period following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

 According to Team Leader Ashleigh McCabe, the program is helping to further selectability’s commitment to preventing suicide across the region.

“We are really pleased to be delivering this vital service. It is great to be a part of a team that is responding to the needs of the region and introducing new programs,” said Ashleigh.

Although not born and bred Mount Isa locals both Helen and Ashleigh have both fallen in love with the inland city and are pleased to be living in such as wonderful community.

Helen has worked in community nursing and palliative care for 25 years, a journey that began in Dorset England.

“A great deal of my nursing career revolved around working with patients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss predominately in the disabled and aged care sector,” said Helen.

 As Regional Coordinator Helen oversees the day-to-day running of the Mental Health Hub and works to support growth and the strategic direction of selectability’s presence in the region.  

“The best part of the job is meeting with our consumers and helping them meet their full potential. I’ve always been a people person and I love the challenge that this role presents.”

Ashleigh joined the selectability Mount Isa team in 2017 as a Lifestyle Support Worker and since then has progressed her way through the selectability employment pathway to Team Leader.

“I studied my Certificate IV in Mental Health with selectability’s registered training organisation – selectability Training – and this helped me to progress with the organisation.

“Over the four years I have worked with selectability I have worked in multiple roles including Lifestyle Support Worker, Customer Service Officer, NDIS Support Coordinator, Acting Regional Coordinator and now Team Leader. I have worked in dual roles for the most part and have had the opportunity to grow both my knowledge and skills.”