Windana and TaskForce have merged into a single organisation – click to learn more about this positive change for clients and the community.

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A photo of Ryan smiling. Quote alongside reads: "The more people learn about this role, the more Nurse Practitioner services the community can access.'" Text below reads: "Catching up with Ryan, one of our Nurse Practitioners.

Q&A with Ryan, Nurse Practitioner at Windana

Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners support clients and other staff right across Windana’s services. For International Nurses Day 2022 we caught up with Ryan, who’s a Nurse Practitioner …
An illustration of two people reaching out to each other over a barrier. Quote alongside reads “It’s the human experience and need for connection that unites everybody.” Text beneath the quote reads: A story about Peer Support with Kate from the Grampians TC team.

The Power of Peer Support

At Maryknoll, Grampians and Barwon TCs, Peer Support Workers draw on lived experience to support people during rehabilitation. Kate – who was Peer Support Worker at Grampians before moving into …
An abstract painting of a head on an orange background. Quote alongside reads: “Providing mental health support offers profound benefits for our clients." Text below reads: "A story with psychologist Kay-Sheree who works with clients during residential withdrawal."

Supporting mental health during withdrawal

[CW: This story discusses mental health challenges and substance use.] Alcohol and drug dependence and mental health issues often go hand-in-hand. They have an inter-twined relationship that’s unique to every …
A photo of the dispensary with bottles of naturopathic mixtures. Quote alongside reads: "We have an opportunity to explain to a client or resident there's so much they can do to look after themselves." Text below reads: "Part 2 of a story with our Health & healing Acting Coordinator around naturopathy and its importance at Windana.

Naturopathy at Windana, Part 2

Along with our other Health & Healing therapies, naturopathy has an important role in Windana’s holistic approach to wellbeing and recovery. For Part 2 of our story on naturopathy, Health …
A painting of a cosy house with smoke coming out of a chimney, Quote alongside reads: “ometimes people need stability to help realise their dreams, desires and find their purpose in life..“ Text below reads: " look into Windana’s Transitional Housing program, and how it supports recovery."

Transitional Housing and Recovery

Windana’s Transitional Housing program provides a secure place to live for people recovering from AOD dependence – whether they’ve been through a Therapeutic Community or not. Its requirements also help …
Erika in the dispensary holding supplement packs. Quote alongside reads: “By making small changes, everyone can improve their health.“ Text below reads: "Part 1 of a story with Erika, our Health & Healing Acting Coordinator around naturopathy and its importance at Windana."

Naturopathy at Windana, Part 1

Naturopathy is an important natural therapy used across Windana. For National Herbal Medicine Week, we caught up with Erika – Windana’s Health & Healing program Acting Coordinator and Senior Naturopath …
A football field with goalposts on the right and an orange Reclink banner on the fence. Quote to the right reads: “Sharing and helping others to shine is part of the culture.” Text below reads: "A story with Windana’s Recreation & Community Development Officer around the Reclink AFL program at Maryknoll."

Partnership on and off the field

When Windana’s Maryknoll TC residents jog onto the football field, they bring out each other’s best. Away from the game, it’s a similar story for the organisations that make Reclink’s …
A photo of a fresh cauliflower. Text alongside reads: "Fruit, vegetables, herbs and succulents - the garden at Maryknoll is ready for a bumper crop this Spring!"

Getting ready for Spring at MTC

There’s been a stirring in the garden at Maryknoll. Community Gardener Jane fills us in on the work residents have been doing over winter, and what will be blossoming over …
A picture of Nyxoid packaging. Text alongside: ""We're able to educate the person without stigma or discrimination attached. That in itself is an overdose-preventing strategy." Story #4 in a series around International Overdose Awareness Day.

Harm Reduction at Windana

[TW: this story discusses drug overdose] International Overdose Awareness Day (31 August) It’s important to understand the distinction between ‘Harm Minimisation’ and ‘Harm Reduction’ in relation to drug use. ‘Harm …
Last Updated on September 6, 2021

News.

A photo of Ryan smiling. Quote alongside reads: "The more people learn about this role, the more Nurse Practitioner services the community can access.'" Text below reads: "Catching up with Ryan, one of our Nurse Practitioners.

Q&A with Ryan, Nurse Practitioner at Windana

Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners support clients and other staff right across Windana’s services. For International Nurses Day 2022 we caught up with Ryan, who’s a Nurse Practitioner …
An illustration of two people reaching out to each other over a barrier. Quote alongside reads “It’s the human experience and need for connection that unites everybody.” Text beneath the quote reads: A story about Peer Support with Kate from the Grampians TC team.

The Power of Peer Support

At Maryknoll, Grampians and Barwon TCs, Peer Support Workers draw on lived experience to support people during rehabilitation. Kate – who was Peer Support Worker at Grampians before moving into …
An abstract painting of a head on an orange background. Quote alongside reads: “Providing mental health support offers profound benefits for our clients." Text below reads: "A story with psychologist Kay-Sheree who works with clients during residential withdrawal."

Supporting mental health during withdrawal

[CW: This story discusses mental health challenges and substance use.] Alcohol and drug dependence and mental health issues often go hand-in-hand. They have an inter-twined relationship that’s unique to every …
A photo of the dispensary with bottles of naturopathic mixtures. Quote alongside reads: "We have an opportunity to explain to a client or resident there's so much they can do to look after themselves." Text below reads: "Part 2 of a story with our Health & healing Acting Coordinator around naturopathy and its importance at Windana.

Naturopathy at Windana, Part 2

Along with our other Health & Healing therapies, naturopathy has an important role in Windana’s holistic approach to wellbeing and recovery. For Part 2 of our story on naturopathy, Health …
A painting of a cosy house with smoke coming out of a chimney, Quote alongside reads: “ometimes people need stability to help realise their dreams, desires and find their purpose in life..“ Text below reads: " look into Windana’s Transitional Housing program, and how it supports recovery."

Transitional Housing and Recovery

Windana’s Transitional Housing program provides a secure place to live for people recovering from AOD dependence – whether they’ve been through a Therapeutic Community or not. Its requirements also help …
Erika in the dispensary holding supplement packs. Quote alongside reads: “By making small changes, everyone can improve their health.“ Text below reads: "Part 1 of a story with Erika, our Health & Healing Acting Coordinator around naturopathy and its importance at Windana."

Naturopathy at Windana, Part 1

Naturopathy is an important natural therapy used across Windana. For National Herbal Medicine Week, we caught up with Erika – Windana’s Health & Healing program Acting Coordinator and Senior Naturopath …
A football field with goalposts on the right and an orange Reclink banner on the fence. Quote to the right reads: “Sharing and helping others to shine is part of the culture.” Text below reads: "A story with Windana’s Recreation & Community Development Officer around the Reclink AFL program at Maryknoll."

Partnership on and off the field

When Windana’s Maryknoll TC residents jog onto the football field, they bring out each other’s best. Away from the game, it’s a similar story for the organisations that make Reclink’s …
A photo of a fresh cauliflower. Text alongside reads: "Fruit, vegetables, herbs and succulents - the garden at Maryknoll is ready for a bumper crop this Spring!"

Getting ready for Spring at MTC

There’s been a stirring in the garden at Maryknoll. Community Gardener Jane fills us in on the work residents have been doing over winter, and what will be blossoming over …
A picture of Nyxoid packaging. Text alongside: ""We're able to educate the person without stigma or discrimination attached. That in itself is an overdose-preventing strategy." Story #4 in a series around International Overdose Awareness Day.

Harm Reduction at Windana

[TW: this story discusses drug overdose] International Overdose Awareness Day (31 August) It’s important to understand the distinction between ‘Harm Minimisation’ and ‘Harm Reduction’ in relation to drug use. ‘Harm …

[TW: this story discusses drug overdose]

International Overdose Awareness Day (31 August) A graphic from International Overdose Awareness Day and the Penington Institute. Text reads: "I WANT DRUG POLICIES THAT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE. THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY."

It’s important to understand the distinction between ‘Harm Minimisation’ and ‘Harm Reduction’ in relation to drug use. ‘Harm Minimisation’ is an umbrella term covering three pillars – Demand Reduction, Supply Reduction and Harm Reduction.

Windana’s Harm Reduction Practitioner Gyu says the latter pillar uses socially and culturally appropriate engagement to connect with those who need support.

“Harm Reduction has an integral role in preventing overdose, because we take a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to substance use in general. It’s about being able to reach the person as-is.

We’re able to educate the person without stigma or discrimination attached. That in itself is an overdose-preventing strategy.”

Harm Reduction is something Gyu believes must be fully embedded in the public health response to overdose.

“It should be in all layers of the system – from frontline, outreach all the way up to policy level and funding… It’s about understanding the Harm Reduction role in your context and knowing that it saves lives.”

Harm Reduction at Windana wraps around clients at all stages of recovery. A key goal is giving clients the knowledge they need to prevent overdose. At our Drug Withdrawal House in St Kilda and Windana Youth Community House in Dandenong, Harm Reduction groups are built around education and making clients feel comfortable to seek help. In these groups the Practitioner guides discussion about overdose types, overdose prevention and overdose response.

Gyu also works with clients individually.

“As a Harm Reduction Practitioner, I meet up one-on-one with clients who are in-house, or are referred from the community. We discuss anything that pertains to Harm Reduction – whether it’s safe injecting, Hepatitis C testing, STI and HIV prevention or advocating for clients in court or hospital.”

Residents at Windana’s Maryknoll and Grampians Therapeutic Communities also receive Harm Reduction education as part of their programs. It’s an area so important in our approach to recovery, that residents who have left residential rehabilitation early can still reach out to Windana for overdose prevention support. It doesn’t matter why they left rehabilitation.

“I’m able to reach them and get them back on pharmacotherapy, give them Naloxone or talk about what’s happened… We’re able to give them that social support to prevent overdose from happening.”

Gyu says that people seeking Harm Reduction support can reach out to individual services like Windana or Star Health. If feeling stuck, people can always call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 at any time of day or night.

 

Help and information:

24-hour support

Emergencies
PH: 000

Lifeline
PH: 13 11 14

DirectLine (counselling, information and referral service alcohol or drug-related issues)
PH: 1800 888 236

Family Drug Support Australia
PH: 1300 368 186

Star Health
PH: 03 9525 1300 (8:15am-5pm, Mon-Fri)

Useful resources

How to administer naloxone
Australian Government Department of Health page about when Naloxone should be given to a person, who should give it and how it is given. Learn where to go for help and support if you need it.

International Overdose Awareness Day
Homepage of IOAD2021, an initiative of the Penington Institute. Includes a section where people can post tributes for lost loved ones, overdose information and campaign resources.

World’s Largest Overdose Prevention Training 2021
In commemoration of International Overdose Awareness Day 2021, 11 community organisations are joining together to provide training to identify and prevent overdose. Monday 30 August 2021 at 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

Overdose Prevention and Response
Star Health page with information on recognising and responding to overdose.

Connect & Learn: Naloxone – Saving Lives
A webinar from Turning Point aimed at AOD workers and other people who work with people who use opioids and/or people who may witness an opioid overdose.

IOAD on social media

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Acknowledgement of Country

Windana acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Australia and we welcome all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our service. Windana provides a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Windana is committed to providing inclusive and safe services for LGBTIQ+ communities, and is working towards becoming a Rainbow Tick accredited organisation.