Meet the team: Wadda Mooli, the crisis support space

For the last 3 years, the Wadda Mooli crisis support space has provided a safe and welcoming environment for people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis, through a partnership between selectability and the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.  

The service is powered by a passionate team of peer workers, who draw on their own lived experience of mental illness to support others in their recovery journey. 

Now, the team is being recognised for enhancing the quality of life, support, and services for people with a mental illness as finalists for Queensland Mental Health Week - Jude Bugeja – Lived Experience Excellence Award.  

“Our peer support workers are the backbone of Wadda Mooli, I am honoured that this is being recognised,” program coordinator Samantha Church said.  

Over the course of three years, the team have supported more than 1000 presentations to the space, listening without judgement, teaching strategies to reduce stress and anxiety and providing information about specialist services available in the community. 

“Our team is dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming environment to those in crisis needing to get away from the stressful environment of ED. 

“Visitors can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, take a moment to relax in the massage chair, and find solace in the peaceful surroundings.  

“Through conversations with our peer workers, visitors are supported to feel empowered, knowing they are not alone and that there is hope.   

selectability is proud to acknowledge the Wadda Mooli team in recognition of their dedication to improving the lives of people with mental illness and their families and carers.  

But the team dedicates itself to something much larger than this well-deserved accolade: providing a strong support system and person-centred care that demonstrates the important need for crisis support in regional Queensland. 

Congratulations on being finalists!  

Wadda Mooli – The Welcome Space is open weekdays from 12:45pm – 9:30pm and weekends 12:00pm - 9:30pm. Please call 4433 3912 to confirm the availability of the service. If you are in the ED, a staff member may be able to assist you to access the service. 

You can find more information?HERE 

Further information 

• For online resources to look after your own or your loved one’s mental wellbeing: 
  www.headtohealth.gov.au 

• For additional digital resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental wellbeing: 
  www.wellmob.org.au 

• For crisis support and further mental health assessment, contact the Acute Care Team on 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55) this operates 24 hours a day. 

• In an emergency, please phone 000