Mission Australia opens mental health service in Kalbarri with impact of cyclone Seroja still on many minds

A new mental health service, run by Mission Australia, has been opened in Kalbarri. According to Mission Australia, the free program will deliver individualised support and aid community recovery which continues 18 months after cyclone Seroja tore through the town. The service will be led by community wellness officer Nadine Tuipulotu, who said the mental impact of Seroja was one of the major concerns which drove the decision to bring the service to Kalbarri. “While it’s more than 18 months since the cyclone came through, many are still feeling the effects of such an unexpected disaster,” she said. “We hear about the infrastructure and worker impacts, but what isn’t really spoken about is the long-term mental health effect that experiencing a disaster can have.” The initiative was launched in a partnership with the Department of Communities with some funding contributed by the Commonwealth Government.