Help needed more than ever at Yacaaba Centre, says newly appointed manager Louise Simpson

Once a dedicated women's refuge, the Yacaaba Centre has over time developed into a multi-faceted support service available for women, men, school aged children, adolescents and families recovering from violence/abuse suffered due to mental illness, trauma, grief and loss, homelessness, depression and/or relationship breakdown/separation.

The last two years the not-for-profit organisation, which is partially funded by NSW Department of Communities and Justice and through individual and community donations, has seen an increase in mental health presentations to the centre.

The centre was fortunate to obtain a grant through NSW Health for mental health services which has allowed them to expand its services and increased its counselling staff in order to keep up with the growing demand.

Newly appointed manager Louise Simpson, who was employed at the centre as a counsellor for three years before taking on her current role, said that services had resumed to some form of normality after two years of online and telephone contact, with minimal face-to-face counselling.

"All our counsellors are professionally trained in providing dedicated services by supporting victims of abuse, mental health sufferers and people at risk of homelessness, while our centre has maintained a open door no wrong-door policy and aims to assist anyone who contacts the service, whether it be through the centre or referral," she said.

"We have seen a huge increase in mental health issues in recent years and no doubt the pandemic has highlighted areas of social isolation, particularly with our elderly cut off from family and friends, and people suffering from depression and anxiety.

"People need connection and that is where our service has an important role to play."

Ms Simpson said that the number of domestic violence victims in Port Stephens had remained at a high level.

"We currently have three counsellors, including one member who is qualified in victim services, who can assist domestic violence victims navigate through those difficult times," she added.

"We also work with other agencies to support victims and we have just recently employed a client liaison officer [similar to a triage nurse], who is our first point of call and who is very much aware of the services available to those in need."

She added that Telehealth options were would continue to be made available.

The Yacaaba Centre in Nelson Bay can also arrange referrals for links to homeless services, legal advice (HCLC), the NDIS, the victims services appointments, financial counselling, financial and food assistance and housing assistance.

The management and staff say that they are grateful to have a number of local businesses and not-for-profit organisations offering support and a band of volunteers on hand, and would welcome more.

She added that the centre would be looking to restart fundraising efforts after a long period of absence, and said that people could donate directly through the Yacaaba Centre website (yacaabacentre.com.au).

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