What do you think of this potential service?

[RahBear]

My partner and I are looking at creating an holistic mental health service. As we both suffer from mental illnesses, we understand how difficult it can be to commit to attending services such as the gym, nutritionist, and counselling. That’s why our service would be a bit different:
We would have qualified counsellors and personal trainers
My anxiety makes it hard for me to commit to going to just one service, let alone multiple. I start to book appointments and either stop halfway through, make the appointment and don’t go, or go once or twice and then stop. Our providers would be able to help with counselling and custom exercise and nutrition plans as they would be licensed counsellors and certified personal trainers and would all work together at the same time.
Providers would come to you
Again, my anxiety makes it hard for me to be in certain social situations, so the gym can be really scary for me as I can see all of these people doing their workouts, looking amazing, and I feel inadequate. Also, sometimes my anxiety won’t even let me leave the house. This service would send the counsellors and trainers to you. You could have your workout session in your lounge, or your counselling session while walking around the block, whatever place makes you feel comfortable and safe to talk about your personal struggles and work out without pressure.
Affordable prices
Another reason I have trouble committing to these services is because they are so expensive. Yes, this would be our way of earning money, but it’s more to provide help for those who are struggling and so we would make it as affordable as we could, plus we’re looking into the counselling part being paid through Medicare.
Anyway, this is just the beginning of an idea and we thought we would ask this community what they thought, whether it’s something that they’d use, or if they had any advice on this concept. After years of working in the Aboriginal community, disability, AOD, and even marketing, we are looking for ways to make a difference in the mental health field as we are both super passionate about effecting change and feel that even if we only end up helping one person, then we’ve succeeded.

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi Rahbear,

Just thought I would respond and encourage you to progress your idea further as you are exactly right (in my opinion). What you describe in terms of your service development idea is meeting people where they are at in their healing journey.

This is a concept that has driven the National youth headspace model which is for young people age 12- 25 which focuses on multiple dimensions of healing including employment, sexual health, physical health, mental health, relationships etc. But the issue with headspace is the majority of centres will only see young people at the centre which doesn't suit everyone as you have described.

There is another pilot project called LikeMinds that is being trialled in NSW which I don't know much about but offers the same type of principles as headspace for adults. You can read about the initiative here. https://likemind.org.au/about-us/

It would be really positive to have wellness initiatives like Personal Training, Nutrition etc. and be flexible to deliver the service in someones home....and be affordable (this is the hardest part$$). I feel you are on the right track in your thinking. Keep going. When we have people with a lived experience designing services, then we will build services that meet the need.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi RahBear,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for sharing your idea. It's great that you're here looking for perspectives, but also the fact that you've got lived experience in mental health certainly gives you a leg up.

I've certainly heard of home visits before with therapists (mostly in the US), and home visits from personal trainers, but never really as a joined service. Unfortunately there's a lot of ethical things to consider whenever doing home visits, especially 'walk and talk' therapy, but I do agree there is so much benefit to it. As for being covered by Medicare, do you mean the MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan)?

I absolutely think this would be a service that I'd consider, and I know that there would be a good market for it - going to a therapist and gym trainer is very daunting on it's own, but add to that issues around accessibility (whether it's too far from home or you have a disability) and it would work well.

Hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck.

RT

[monkey_magic]

Hi RahBear,

I think it's a great idea. Often ppl with mental illnesses are the most comfortable in their homes so a service that comes to them/us would be perfect. Also a great way to reintegrate into the community as well. A way to build up self esteem and confidence.

Sign me up.

♡☆♡☆~~~

[RahBear]

Hi Nurse Jenn,

Thank you so much for your encouragement and suggestions.

I agree with what you mentioned about headspace, they're an amazing service, but hard when you've gone over that age hump! I'm 27, but still feel like I qualify as a young person! But they can't help as I'm numerically (not mentally, haha) too old. I'll definitely check out LikeMinds and see what they're focusing on. As I'm in VIC, we'd obviously be providing it in that state, but with enough progress and success, I really think that this could go national as it would benefit so many people.

I imagine there's a lot of red tape for this, so I'm going to have to do my research! All of it really excites me so I think the research will even be fun 🙂

Also, I agree that people with loved experience needs to be making services that would help others in their situation. Not only will it provide care to other sufferers, but I think that knowing there are others in the same situation as you would help as well!

Anyway, thanks again, I really appreciate your encouragement. Let's see how this goes!

Hugs,

RahBear x

[RahBear]

Hey RT,

Thanks for your reply and positive response. I really think that this service could help people everywhere and am super excited to bring it to life.

With the Medicare funding, I was referring to the health plan, with the free sessions, or partial rebates, or whichever. Obviously this would need to be looked at, but it's just an idea for now.

With the ethical issues you mentioned, could you please elaborate? I think I understand some of them, but getting some specific concepts would help. I'm trying to make sure that I cover all the bases going into this. There's going to be so many things to consider, accreditations, licenses, registrations, insurances, etc., so anything specific you could mention would be so so helpful.

Again, thank you for your response 🙂

Hugs,

RahBear x

[RahBear]

Hi Monkey!

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence 🙂 I really appreciate it.

I love the way you mentioned "a great way to reintegrate into the community", I might have to steal that for the flyers hahaha.

Anyway, thanks again, let's see how we go, hopefully it takes off and we can help those like you and me 🙂

Hugs,

RahBear x

[blondguy]

Hi RahBear

Excellent concept and good on you 🙂

You mentioned "we are looking for ways to make a difference in the mental health field"

You have already made a difference RahBear with your initiative.....Nice1

my kind thoughts........(Go for it!)

Paul

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi RahBear,

You're so welcome, and thank you for the hugs!! Hugs to you back 🙂

With the Medicare funding, it's just a bit specific but you can look at that more here - https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/8E2478D286D65A73CA2581DE00836209/$File/Fact-Sheet-BA-for-allied-MH-professionals.pdf

Hm.. ethical issues...

- Confidentiality: especially with 'walk and talk' therapy, or even if other people are at the clients home potentially listening in. Even if the client were to agree that the family would be out of the house always the chance of unexpected visitors and things

- Safety: usually in initial home visits the therapist visits with another person, but also having a plan B (can't exactly call for help very easily!). Also considering things like pets or if the building/place is unsafe

- Finances: how much extra it might cost to travel to a client's house, especially if the client lives outside of the town/city

- Roles: being able to conclude a session on time, having a plan for if the client were to have their car break down or something - just having plans for unexpected occurrences that wouldn't usually happen if it was in a therapy room

- What were to happen if clients were suddenly uncomfortable with 'walk and talk' or home visits - would they still have the option to come into the office?

Hope this helps! They are all total workarounds and 1000% worth it.

Wishing you the best of luck 🙂 x