Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (16:27): October 10 was World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health education awareness and advocacy. One in five Australians is affected by mental illness, but it can be difficult for many to seek the help they need. In the spirit of the day I visited Hope House in Batemans Bay to learn more about the great work they are doing for people living with mental health issues and to help create some awareness about their vital service.

Hope House is a program run by Community Life Batemans Bay Inc. It is a five-bedroom house that provides medium-term therapeutic accommodation for about six months to men affected by poverty, disadvantage, drug or alcohol addiction, and homelessness. It supports men who are victims or perpetrators of domestic violence, experiencing mental ill health or the breakdown of family relationships.

The programs at Hope House help to provide men with some of their basic human needs, giving them a sense of belonging, friendship, health and wellbeing. The staff and volunteers work tirelessly to help and support those men who are rebuilding themselves after addiction, breaking the cycle of reoffending and reintegrating into the community.

Mental health support during this process can be crucial, and the program has been successfully operating for over a decade. I want to thank Hope House and their wonderful staff for hosting me on World Mental Health Day.