Southern Community Welfare is a community based, non-profit, harm prevention organisation. Since its inception in 1995, it has provided professional, innovative therapeutic services to families and individuals.
Southern Community Welfare has a particular focus on serving the community in the areas of risk, resilience and early intervention.
SCW provides programs that address the areas of suicide prevention, deliberate self-injury, eating disorders, depression, child abuse, loss and grief, family breakdown and parenting skills.
It is our commitment to care, equip and empower those in our community who are struggling in these areas. Our staff of professionals is here to help you find ways to effectively meet today’s challenges within your family, the workplace and the community.
Support groups regularly running are:
Rainbows – A children’s grief and loss support group, which is run during term 2 and 3 every year.
Support after Suicide – This support group runs monthly all year round, and counselling is available at all times.
Rock and Water - A social strengthening group for boys which helps their interaction with peers, family and others.
The group runs in Term 1 and 3 each year; and in schools all year round (at the school's request).
Men building Men - is conducted during Term 1 and 4 each year. Weekends away are organised for fathers and sons to reconnect away from the distractions of life.
Breakthrough – a divorce recovery group which is run once per year, dependant on demand.
Can Do Families – a programme for families which runs once per year. This group may run in Term 4 2011.
Community Education:
Childhood Anxiety:
- Regular talks are presented on helping children manage anxiety.
- 3 books are available for children on managing anxiety - Everyday Jitters, Mr Jitters and Speech Day Jitters
- Other anxiety resources available are: Stress balls, CD's for parents and Support Flyers for parents.
Deliberate Self injury:
- Brochures and information on Deliberate Self Injury are available
- Community Education presentations on DSI
- Various DSI factsheets available for download from our website
Counselling and Psychology Services:
We offer counselling for most issues. Main issues people come in would be anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, childhood abuse, self esteem, relationships, marriage, family and parenting.
We offer specific child and family counselling for childhood behavioural and emotional issues (PCIT) and also for childhood anxiety.
All our counselling services and support groups are offered with subsidised fees dependant on income.
Suzie Plush is a registered psychologist offering services for the above issues. If a mental health plan is issued from a GP where there is a mental health issue present, part of the fee can be claimed from Medicare.
Dr Steve Dawson specialises in assessment and management of ADHD, Asperger’s, and Learning Difficulties for both adults and children. He also sees adults for depression, anxiety, stress, marriage and relationship issues. If a mental health plan is issued from a GP where there is a mental health issue present, part of the fee can be claimed from Medicare. However, there is no Medicare rebate for any testing.