Co-design case study: Nujum Jawa Crisis Stabilisation Unit at The Prince Charles Hospital open

In September, Elders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, representatives from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, and hospital and mental health staff attended a Smoking Ceremony performed by Uncle Allan and Community Open Day of the new Nujum Jawa Crisis Stabilisation Unit. Attendees had the opportunity to hear about the model of service and take a tour of the newly opened facility located at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH).

Mental health crisis touches the lives of many families and communities. The new short-stay mental healthcare unit at TPCH provides faster and more appropriate care for people experiencing a mental health crisis in a comfortable and safe setting.

The Nujum Jawa Crisis Stabilisation Unit, located next to the hospital’s emergency department, runs 24/7 so people can receive specialised and intensive mental health crisis care in a place that feels more culturally safe than the emergency department.

Aunty Rosemary Hill was one of the attendees at the opening event and shared the importance of the facility for her family.

“I have supported and advocated for my family for so long at this Emergency Department and I have lost family, hopefully this place gives them a chance, said Aunty Rosemary

Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Sherry Holzapfel, said that this important service is much needed within our community and this is a key part of Metro North’s journey to improve health equity outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“I am so pleased of the co-design and core principles of this service for our mob. This will be a safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their families seeking mental health crisis care in a less restrictive environment.

The team at Nujum Jawa is made up of approximately 60 multidisciplinary staff, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers, medical, nursing, allied health professionals, and a lived experience workforce to provide specialised care.

Metro North Mental Health’s inaugural Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Penny Dale, said it is important to provide people in mental health crisis with a
culturally safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.

“Emergency departments can be busy, noisy places at times and can be overwhelming for people in mental health distress,” said Penny.

“By having a responsive mental health service means it is more likely that people will seek the help they need sooner and reduce the risk of harm, and the Nujum Jawa Crisis Stabilisation Unit will help us to do that.

“The interior has been designed to look less clinical and the model of care was developed after yarning with consumers, staff, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, and also reflects the needs of those with a lived experience of mental illness to better support people in crisis.

“The short-term unit and lounge space has been designed so family members, carers and support people can also be there.

“The connection to culture in mental health care settings is important to help promote healing and wellbeing,” said Penny.

Natural landscapes and culturally significant artwork are featured throughout the unit to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all who enter the service. The use of landscapes honours and respects connection to culture, the land, waterway and sea for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as being integral to health, wellbeing and belonging.

The Golden Wattle, known as dilgur, is featured throughout, symbolises unity, resilience and strength and has significance for Aboriginal people as it was used to create hunting tools, musical instruments, as well as medicine.

The $14 million unit is part of the Queensland Government Better Care Together funding.

For more information about this referral service visit https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/tpch/healthcare-services/mental-health/csu

Source: This article is from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Health Year in Review 2024