Mental Health facilities expanded in the Territory

Calvary Bruce Private Hospital general manager Cherie Townsend, Mental Health consumer representative Katie Tonacia and Paul Odoemena.

The expansion of Hyson Green mental health service at Calvary Bruce Private Hospital conveys a message of hope, support, and commitment to providing the highest quality mental healthcare for the region, according to consumer representative Katie Tonacia.

Hyson Green supports people living with mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It offers voluntary day- and in-patient programs with group and individual therapy sessions.

The 14-bed extension, which opens to patients on Monday, is built over two levels and includes bedrooms, day-to-day treatment rooms, communal spaces and offices.

Ms Tonacia, who is also CEO of first responder mental health support and advocacy group Picking Up The Peaces, said Hyson Green had long been a place where healing, understanding, and growth had been at the forefront of mental healthcare.

“For the many consumers who require a safe, nurturing, compassionate environment, with personalised mental healthcare, these additional contemporary facilities, holistic programs, and professional staff are a welcomed blessing to our community,” she said.

“Mental health care isn’t just about treating mental illness; it’s also about promoting overall mental health and wellbeing, learning how to build resilience, and including the patient in their own care and planning.”

Ms Tonacia said the opening of the expansion marked an exciting milestone.

An expansion of the Hyson Green unit will benefit Canberrans needing mental health care and support.

“From someone with a lived experience of caring for a loved one with chronic PTSD, anxiety and depression who has required multiple admissions, this new expansion can only enrich the care environment, making it even more effective and responsive to people needing mental healthcare and support,” she said.

Calvary Bruce Private Hospital General Manager Cherie Townsend said the extension would increase Hyson Green’s capacity to care for those in need in a purpose-built space.

“Hyson Green has played an important role in supporting the mental health needs of people in the Territory since it was established more than 25 years ago,” she said.

“With this expansion, we will now have the capacity to provide care and support for up to 65 inpatients and outpatients.

“The extension also includes a dedicated gymnasium space, and we will be hiring an exercise physiologist to support patients who have set an exercise program as one of their goals of care.

“The extension means next year we can reintroduce our much-missed day program, which ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Regional Chief Executive Officer for Calvary ACT and Southern NSW Ross Hawkins said Hyson Green also played an important role for people in the surrounding regions, including Queanbeyan and Bungendore, Goulburn, the South Coast, and the Monaro and Hilltops regions.

“This is an important expansion of service for people needing expert mental health care,” he said.

“Calvary is continuing to invest in our services in the region and at Calvary Bruce Private Hospital to meet the health demands of our communities.”