PDF printable version of Funding boosts grief and trauma counselling in Tasmania (PDF 19 KB)
Joint Release
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Helath and Ageing
Mr Sid Sidebottom MP
Member for Braddon
March 7 2008
NR08/31
More people in North Western Tasmania will have access to grief and trauma counselling services following the commitment of $1.25 million by the Australian Government.
The funding will allow the Sisters of Charity Outreach service in Devonport to deliver about 1,500 counselling sessions for 400 people each year over four years in the north-west Tasmania region.
“Families and individuals in small, close-knit regional communities often experience grief or trauma more acutely following a local tragedy or emergency,” said the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.
“The impact of events like drought and high unemployment can also be more dramatic in areas of geographic and social isolation. That’s one of the reasons these services are so important.”
Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom agreed: “This funding will be a real boost to our community – providing services right where they’re needed.”
Sisters of Charity Outreach will run community support and awareness activities to help individuals, families and communities throughout the region to better recognise and support people experiencing grief and trauma.
The funding will also help Sisters of Charity Outreach provide education and training to other local organisations and front-line workers involved in providing grief and trauma support and counselling services.
Sisters of Charity Outreach has provided specialist grief and trauma counselling services throughout north-west Tasmania since early 2000, after identifying it as an area of high need.
The Government is committed to helping people in regional and rural areas understand the important role that grief and trauma counselling plays in improving social and emotional wellbeing.
Media inquiries only: Sean Kelly - 0417 108 362
For all other inquiries, please contact the Minister’s office: 02 6277 7220
To view PDF (Portable Document Format) documents, you will need to have a PDF reader installed on your computer. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free of charge from Adobe's website.
