Lives Lived Well

23/12/2025

Our annual report is now available. Across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, our teams showed what’s possible when compassion meets commitment. 💚💙

Highlights of what we’ve achieved:

👉 New live-in service in Bundaberg offers path to recovery
👉 Building cultural strength through Red Dust Healing
👉 In February 2025, headspace Caloundra celebrated its official launch
👉 Digitisation of Drug and Alcohol First Aid (DAFA) training.

16,693 hours of training completed by our team members; 54,423 bed nights provided across residential, family, withdrawal and transition programs; 6,200 young people received support through our headspace.

These achievements have been made possible through the continued support of our funders, stakeholders, team members and clients.

Click the link below for more statistics, case studies and milestones: https://buff.ly/YG5hMVc

22/12/2025

On 9 December, Lives Lived Well celebrated the official launch of our 2025–27 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)! 👣💛🖤

We were honoured to be joined by Baringa Barambah Meeanjinu, a Songwoman of the Turrbal People and daughter of Turrbal Elder Maroochy Barambah, and Uncle Billy Cummings, an Aboriginal Elder connected to the Turrbal People through kinship ties, for a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Our RAP Chair and Coordinator shared the story behind this year’s artwork, representing connection, resilience and healing across the communities we support.

The launch was well attended by partners and service providers, including QNADA and Brisbane North PHN, as well as members of our RAP Committee who travelled from NSW and other locations to be part of the day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in marking this important step in our reconciliation journey.

ℹ️Read the full article: https://buff.ly/NBLhDwQ
ℹ️Read our 2025-27 Innovate RAP: https://buff.ly/dBXLxzZ

Reconciliation Australia

We welcomed The Hon. Emma McBride MP and Rowan Holzberger MP to headspace Upper Coomera for an exciting funding and service announcement for the Gold Coast. The visit highlights a significant boost for youth mental health on the Gold Coast and a major expansion of free, accessible care for the whole...

19/12/2025

With the holiday season just around the corner, we want to share our closure hours during this time of the year. 🎄

Some of our services and programs will close or operate at reduced capacity from Wednesday 24 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.

While referrals are welcome during this time, our contact team will resume processing them when we’re back on Monday, 5 January 2026.

We know how important timely support can be, especially during the holiday period. If you’re experiencing a crisis or finding it difficult to cope, you can access helpful resources here: https://buff.ly/3DeQw03

If a life is in immediate danger, please dial 000.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday season 💙💚

17/12/2025

Congratulations to Jess from our Carinya Transitional Living house on winning the Caddyshack Banana Awards!

The Awards recognise individuals, projects and organisations who are championing positive sexual health outcomes across NSW.

Well done Jess and the team!

16/12/2025

“I had been struggling with alcohol for 7 years, drinking on average 18–20 full strength beers daily… because I worked full time and still cooked and cleaned, I told myself there was no problem.”

For a while, this client thought they could live peacefully with their dependence on alcohol. But soon, their health began to deteriorate, and the relationships were affected.

“I woke up one day and realised I needed help.”

Weekly counselling, along with the tools and support from the program, became the turning point.

“It changed my life for the better.… I am no longer dependent on alcohol and forever will be grateful.”

Today, they’re reconnecting with their lost passion in music, cooking, and living with purpose.

Even more inspiring, they’ve enrolled in a Diploma in Alcohol and Other Drugs, to help others and pay it forward. 💙💚

Read the full story: https://buff.ly/5gXH0xO

15/12/2025

We are saddened by the events at Bondi and are thinking of everyone affected.

We recognise this will be distressing for many people, particularly members of the Jewish community and those with personal connections to the incident.

At Lives Lived Well, our focus remains on providing safe, respectful, and compassionate care. If you need support, you can contact us on 1300 727 957 or visit liveslivedwell.org.au

08/12/2025

During Men’s Health Awareness Month, we took a closer look at the connection between men’s health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) - a conversation that deserves more space. 💙💚

”Three in five people receiving AOD treatment in Australia are male.”

The number is clear: many men are navigating both mental health and AOD concerns at the same time, often quietly and without support.

We’re encouraging open conversations, early help-seeking and reducing stigma. Because reaching out shouldn’t feel difficult or out of reach.

At Lives Lived Well, we provide government-funded services across QLD, NSW and SA, offering safe, respectful and practical support for people experiencing concerns around alcohol or other drugs.

Click the link below and learn more 👉 https://buff.ly/uFvixOu

05/12/2025

"At 54 years of age I realised that my drinking was leaving me in a hopeless state."

After more than 35 years of heavy drinking and witnessing the devastating impact it had on their sister, this client knew things had spiralled out of control. Blackouts, injuries, and heartbreak for their children were part of daily life.

The turning point came earlier this year, on the anniversary of their children’s father’s passing.

"Watching my children's hearts break again… was the push I needed to motivate me. I did not want to end up like my sister. I wanted to watch my grandchildren grow."

With courage, they spoke to their doctor and were connected to the Lives Lived Well Nana Munu Program in Nowra, where they rediscovered the self-care and mindfulness that had slipped away.

"The program gave me back the building blocks for my life that I had forgotten during this addiction."

The changes in their physical and mental health rebuild a life of strength and purpose.

Read the full story: https://buff.ly/cCmZwtH

04/12/2025

Digital abuse is one of the fastest-growing forms of gender-based violence — spreading across borders and platforms, and threatening the safety of women and girls both online and offline.

The numbers are alarming. Between 16–58% of women have experienced online violence or harassment. And with AI technologies on the rise, image-based abuse is worsening. An estimated 90–95% of deepfakes online depict women in sexualised ways.

What to do if you spot signs of digital abuse:
🔸Block and report
🔸Remove share images
🔸Save the evidence for reporting
🔸Tell someone you trust. Don’t go through it alone
🔸Secure your accounts with updated privacy settings and two-factor authentication
🔸Seek help through trained services and local hotlines

Together, we can work to keep online spaces safe for women and girls.

02/12/2025

The 16 Days of Activism (25 Nov–10 Dec) are a powerful reminder that ending gender-based violence is everyone’s responsibility. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” highlights a growing and urgent issue.

At Lives Lived Well, we stand with our communities to champion digital safety and equality for all.

24/7 Support available
📞1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
📞 DV Crisis Line: 1800 800 098
🚨 In an emergency always call 000.

01/12/2025

Our West Moreton Residential Rehabilitation and Withdrawal Service is officially open in Ipswich, and we’re ready to support the community in this new chapter!

Meet our service team! 💙💚

After four weeks of intensive training, the team finally came together on site for a shared lunch, a great way to mark the beginning of their journey at our new service.

They’re excited to work together in this beautiful space and to start building strong, meaningful connections with the West Moreton community and beyond.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the team throughout training, and to our executive leadership team for making the trip to meet and welcome them.

Clic️k the link below to find out more: https://buff.ly/xShj2nv

28/11/2025

As Movember comes to a close, we want to shine a light on Paul, the Community Awareness and Engagement Coordinator at headspace Caloundra.

When asked about looking after mental health, Paul says: “It can be difficult sometimes to reach out for support. It makes it easier when you create an environment where you feel comfortable sharing and coming prepared with some notes of what you'd like to say. .” 📝💬

For Paul, wellbeing comes down to healthy habits and routines — exercise, eating well, and plenty of surfing! 🏄🥗.

💡 What’s your top tip for looking after your mental health? Share them below!