05-Dec-2017
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Government announces Support Now extended to Northern Territory
Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion announced that the Turnbull Government is providing $5.7 million for a community support package for people impacted by Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) emanating from the RAAF Base Tindal in Katherine in the Northern Territory. This package has been informed by the Interim Human Health Risk Assessment.
Part of the support package will include dedicated mental health and counselling services to assist those in the Katherine, NT community affected by PFAS contamination. This service, Support Now, is already delivered by On the Line in the communities of Oakey, QLD and Williamtown, NSW.
Kim O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer at On the Line, said, “The Support Now counsellors are trained to help these communities who are concerned about Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure. The service is free for callers and individuals can contact us at any time as we operate 24 hours a day.”
Visit the Australian Government Department of Defence website to read the media release.
If you are a current or past resident of Williamtown (NSW), Oakey (QLD), or Katherine (NT) and need counselling support, call Support Now on 1300 096 257.
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About On the Line Australia
On the Line is a professional social health business providing counselling support anywhere and anytime. On the Line is a national provider of some of Australia’s most vital and trust services including MensLine Australia, Suicide Call Back Service and SuicideLine Victoria.
Our professionally trained counsellors are experts in men’s mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), healthy relationships, integrated wellbeing, mental health, chronic health conditions, problematic drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide and trauma-informed practice for anyone affected by suicide.
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78