Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

Good mental health is important at every stage of life and our services are here to help you maintain your sense of wellbeing.

Here we share some personal stories of mental health and stories towards recovery.

Meet Billy, Senior Support Coordinator at Windermere

As a Senior Support Coordinator at Windermere Billy supports people to navigate the NDIS and build their capacity.

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Meet Narrelle, one of our friendly Support Coordinators

As an NDIS Support Coordinator at Windermere Narrelle ensures the people she works with can link into the appropriate NDIS services.

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Meet Deepti, Finance Officer, Windermere Services

Deepti works to assist our NDIS families with invoice related queries.

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Meet Victoria, NDIS Plan Manager

I help people with their National Disability Insurance Service (NDIS) plans.

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Meet Sandra, NDIS Consumer Response Officer

As an NDIS Consumer Response Officer with Windermere Sandra ensure the people she works with feel happy and supported.

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Meet Narelle, one of our friendly NDIS Plan Managers

Plan management takes some of the stress away from families in that we manage the financial part of their NDIS plans.

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Meet Jodie, paediatric dietitian with Windermere

I provide nutritional advice, meal planning and education for a range of health conditions, food allergies and food intolerances.

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How to prevent homelessness and get the help you need

Homelessness Week is an annual national event used to raise awareness and provide information around the impacts of homelessness and the actions needed to provide solutions and support.

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How trauma services can help your family

Your trauma experience may affect your parenting in multiple ways. This may mean you could experience more challenges in the relationship with your child.

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What is homelessness week?

Homelessness Week is an annual national event used to raise awareness and provide information around the impacts of homelessness and the actions needed to provide solutions and support.

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Dad and his daughters make a fresh start free from violence

Over nearly two decades of marriage David’s wife used controlling tactics to isolate and manipulate him and their two teenage daughters,

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How Merry Mission transformed Christmas

Merry Mission Christmas Appeal 2021 helped hundreds of families facing a Christmas without food or gifts. Hear from the families who received support from Merry Mission 2021.

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Meet one of our support coordinators

Specialist Support Coordinators work with you to coordinate complex support options under the NDIS.

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What does a specialist support coordinator do?

Specialist Support Coordinators work with you to coordinate complex support options under the NDIS.

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Meet Ricky, one of our Occupational Therapists

Key workers work with children under seven years old who have a developmental delay or disability. A key worker is part of Windermere's range of therapy and support services.

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After a lifetime of challenges Lee finally has the right supports

“I now know when I die Lee has the supports she needs in place and will be fine.”

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How does your key worker help you?

Key workers work with children under seven years old who have a developmental delay or disability. A key worker is part of Windermere's range of therapy and support services.

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Help your child settle into new routines

New school, new year level, new kinder or new childcare? Here are some practical things you can do to assist your young ones to settle in.

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After years of pain, Ken can move on from childhood abuse

Elderly Ken was referred to Windermere’s Victims Assistance Program by a counselling service. At the time Ken was struggling to come to terms with a legacy of childhood abuse.

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Building hope from the ashes

Windermere, acting on behalf of Bushfire Recovery Victoria, provided Eric with a range of supports. This included identifying his immediate needs and plans for the future and linking him into psychological first aid and counselling.

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Meet Jodie, Physiotherapist in Windermere’s Allied Health Graduate Program

“I absolutely recommend doing a student placement with Windermere. I’ve already put into practice so many skills that I learnt and a large part of gaining employment was due to my experience at Windermere,”

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Student placement opportunity helps Rebecca to make a difference

“I absolutely recommend doing a student placement with Windermere. I’ve already put into practice so many skills that I learnt and a large part of gaining employment was due to my experience at Windermere,”

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How Mel reunited her family after violence and homelessness

“I was homeless and now three of my kids were gone. I don’t know what I would have done without Windermere” she says.

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How Lauren reclaimed her life after family violence

After facing family violence, near homelessness and financial distress, mum Lauren and her young daughter have turned their lives around.

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How Plan Management helped Boyd

“When Jacqui and Boyd started Plan Management services with us, we realised they were not able to take full advantage of our services and needed some assistance to understand more about what was detailed in Boyd’s NDIS plan."

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Joanne’s long journey to gain her licence and independence

Kate and Joanne’s support worker Pam have supported her to go through the complex steps needed to regain her licence.

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From tantrums to calm: how Joseph changed his life in a year

“He has gone from a boy who would not attend school and had frequent outbursts to being much happier and calmer,”

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Comfort and dignity while facing one of life’s greatest challenges

“Gunter’s supports are also about his quality of life, especially during the pandemic. We want things to be fulfilling and for him to enjoy community supports and time with his family."

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Staff spotlight: Karthika, Counsellor

When I lived in Singapore I was part of the psychosocial trauma support team as well as the crisis and trauma team of a women's and children's hospital.

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Supporting education

Students participate in our structured program which provides work placements in Community and Public Services, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Therapy.

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Community Activation and Social Isolation Initiative (CASI)

Our Community Connector workers tailor support plan to individual needs.

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Healing and transformation after trauma is possible

"People look at survivors and characterise us as brave and strong, but ...if I could say one thing to someone still in it, it would be that you don’t have to be those things to get out."

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Toilet training success

“There are a lot of sensory and physical skills that children need to master before they are ready to use the toilet."

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Merry Mission in the News

Every Christmas our Merry Mission aims to bring real joy, happiness and hope to the lives of local children and families, at what can be a difficult time for so many.

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How Support Coordination gave Dorothy new independence

Support Coordination has assisted Dorothy to access a range of supports designed to maintain and increase her independence as well as protect her during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Making telehealth work when you are 5 years old and non-verbal

The feedback from David’s school and family is that he is much calmer, happier and “like a different boy.” Additionally David’s concentration has improved and his now able to maintain attention for up to 15 minutes, well over the initial goal of five minutes.

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Windermere to support East Gippsland community during COVID-19

Windermere’s Community Connector workers can receive direct referrals from East Gippsland residents via phone 0499 500 495 or email CASIcommunityconnector@windermere.org.au

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Hope for a safer future

After fleeing a violent relationship which saw her hospitalised, 19 year old Chloe, had nowhere safe to go. A friend had let her sleep on their couch for a few weeks, but this was becoming more and more difficult with a baby and she knew she could not stay there forever.

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How can you help during the COVID-19 crisis?

You can make a difference while “social distancing”, by making a tax deductible donation today; giving vulnerable children and families access to the additional supports they so desperately need now.

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Keeping Our Young People Safe

Life was tough for Scott, who had even spent time in an inpatient neuropsychiatry ward, but his parents, family, friends and teachers just didn’t know what to do, or how to handle his explosive behaviour.

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Help for Victims of Crime

Simon who in his mid seventies, was the innocent victim of a serious assault. As a result of head injuries he was placed in an induced coma and spent three months in hospital.

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Finding a safe home

The women and children in the program have all been homeless or at risk of homelessness due to family violence.

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5 ways to look after your mental health

It is important to look after your mental health in tough times. Here are five simple things that you can start doing now.

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Victorian Bushfire Appeal Housing Assistance

Windermere is honoured to be distributing $25,000 relief payments to over 400 Victorian households whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged by this summer's bushfires, on behalf of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

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How to support someone who is experiencing family violence

Safety is always the priority. Often the person experiencing family violence will feel that they are to blame for their family member’s behaviour. Often this will be a male partner, but this is not always the case.

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Breaking cycles of homelessness

Our Mums & Bubs program continues to give young mothers at risk of homelessness a chance to build a safer, more stable life.

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What to expect from trauma counselling

Unfortunately when we have an overwhelmingly negative experience, our emotions can become trapped. We are unable to move on from the impact of the traumatic event until we process our responses to what has happened.

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Seeking a new home free from violence

When Kate first got in touch with Windermere she knew she was in trouble. She had been trapped in a violent relationship for years, and things were now at an all time low.

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5 things to know before your NDIS planning meeting

We know there are lots of people who have questions about the NDIS planning process. Here are some of the things you should know before you go to your initial NDIS planning meeting.

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Helping Lani to find her voice

“There are people who would talk to her every day on the school run, and she would never give them a response. All of sudden she is suddenly able to reply to them,” says Kristy.

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Easing NDIS worries and finding the right support

Olivia, who is sole carer for Harrison 17 and David 13, was apprehensive about developing their NDIS plans and being able to put them into action.

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Easing the worry of moving to the NDIS

“Michelle believes that she finally has a purpose in life. She can voice her opinion and feels that her opinion is heard and valued. She can also select the programs and activities that she likes,” says Tanya.

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From despair to joy: Judith’s journey with Windermere

When mum of four, Judith, made contact with Windermere she knew she needed support. She was not coping as a mum and was struggling to be emotionally available for her family.

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Teeing off for a good cause

It was a crisp start to the day, but that didn’t deter the 70 odd golfers who teed off at Victoria Golf Club on 3rd May in the annual Windermere Classic.

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There’s no place like home

On the 8th June, over 30 of Windermere’s most valued supporters gathered to celebrate the launch of our new Mums & Bubs House. Windermere’s Mums & Bubs program has been in existence since 2011, but due to overwhelming demand there are growing numbers of young mothers still needing our help

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Beating Holiday Stress

The festive season is meant to be a time of joy, but for many it can be a time of stress, anxiety, disappointment and loneliness. Things don't always go to plan, so here are some steps you can take to help manage stress and anxiety during the holidays.

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Help Cally & Makrem this Christmas

The festive season is well and truly upon us and for most of us it's a precious and happy time spent with family and friends, but for some it can be a difficult and lonely time. Circumstances can mean families, like Cally's and Makrem's, find themselves needing the most basic of items - food, money to pay bills and gifts for children.

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Keeping more kids on track

Delving into topics including drug and alcohol awareness, cyber bullying and safety, anger management and anxiety and depression: this year alone Windermere's 8 week Kids on Track program has reached over 120 grade 5 and 6 students, giving them the skills to make better informed life choices.

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Windermere makes a splash for MND

On 1 September, the Disability Services Team took up the global ice bucket challenge to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease, a degenerative neurological condition that impacts all the motor nerves in the body, usually leading to death within three years of diagnosis. It's a cause close to our heart - our disability services team often works with clients with the incurable disease and see first hand the impact it has on victims and their families.

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