Help mental health hub get moving

AFTER becoming a counsellor in recent years, Steve Vanderwerf has had the goal of launching a mental health hub.

Running his own business, Catch Counselling, he thought he’d find another bricks-and-mortar space for the hub, but since the pandemic, his ideas have grown in their creativity.

“I’d like it to be a place for mental health first aid. I decided I could make it a mobile thing, and refurbish a little old caravan,” he said.

“From my lived experience, when I needed help, I found it difficult to reach out, but if I had seen a place that was accessible, I may have just stepped up and gone in there.

“There’s such a long waiting list for people to receive help, so even if they can just have a chat, know they’re not alone, and learn some basic strategies or tools to help them before they see someone, that could be handy.”

Mr Vanderwerf pictures the caravan stopping by various locations throughout the week. It could be out the front of the library one morning, at a football oval later that day, and then move onto a shopping centre carpark.

“It could be anywhere, and with any group that requires it. There’s no reason why any other organisation couldn’t use it, and I’d like it to be a free service.

“Week by week, I could have different professionals in there as well, like alcohol and other drugs or young mothers’ specialists,” he said.

Catch Counselling is now seeking donations from residents and businesses, so a retro-style caravan made in the last 30 or 40 years can be purchased, and Mr Vanderwerf’s vision can be realised.

He hopes the refurbishment of the van might become a community project, where volunteers give their time, supplies, or materials, and can create connections along the way.

“Once it’s set up, there’s nothing stopping it being out there,” he said.

Visit catchcounselling.com.au for more information.