One Door Mental Health is a non-profit community based organization committed to improving the circumstances and welfare of people living with mental illness, their relatives and carers. One Door delivers a range of mental health services for consumers and carers across NSW.

One Door Mental Health works to: • Eliminate stigma and create a society that is understanding and accepting. • Ensure that people living with mental illness, and their carers and relatives, have access to information and appropriate services. • Advocate on behalf of people living with mental illness, their carers and relatives and mental health professionals, for better government policy in the areas of research, treatment, rehabilitation, housing and other relevant areas. • Provide innovative programs and support. • Ensure that One Door Mental Health has effective and accountable management.

Volunteering for Information and Support, Telephone Outreach at One Door Mental health What kind of work will I be doing? Volunteers work in the Telephone Outreach Service, a state-wide telephone helpline based in Gladesville. This service is available 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

Volunteers respond to inbound callers, email inquiries and make outbound calls. Callers to the service may have a mental illness, they may care for someone with a mental illness, and they may work as a health professional or work with a service provider or community agency. Callers may want to find out where they can get access accommodation, recovery, rehabilitation and medical services or simply want to talk. Telephone Outreach volunteers also make weekly outbound calls to provide social contact and emotional support to consumers and carers who are often socially isolated or simply enjoy having a chat with someone who understands.

Who can volunteer? We are seeking volunteers who have empathy, an understanding of the impact of mental illness and good listening and communication skills. Volunteers include people who want to make a positive difference to the lives of consumers and carers, students in fields of psychology, social work and human services seeking experience working with people with a mental illness and people with lived experience as a consumer or carer.

What training is involved? All potential volunteers must attend an interview with the coordinator and complete a 4 day training program prior to commencing as a volunteer. The training covers information about mental illnesses, recovery, rehabilitation and mental health services, the Mental Health Act, suicide awareness, active listening skills and making referrals.

What kind of commitment do I need to make? Volunteers must be able to commit to undertaking a morning or afternoon shift of four hours once a week in Telephone Outreach. We ask that each volunteer make a commitment to One Door Mental Health for a minimum of twelve months.

Will I get a reference? References from One Door Mental Health are highly sought after but can only be provided after the volunteer has served a minimum of six months and has carried out their work reliably and well. Written references are only given in specific circumstances.

What do I need to do now? If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for One Door Mental Health simply fill out our application form (by googling One Door Mental Health) or contact the Information and Support Coordinator on 02 9879 2600 . You will be contacted shortly as acknowledgement of your application and will be invited for an interview.