Why bluegum HEALTH?

bluegum HEALTH is built around a strong focus of functional recovery, building from initial contact with the Practice to an eventual outcome of independence from needing intense mental health care.

A key theme of bluegum HEALTH is that recovery requires a targeted two-way commitment, facilitated using an environment outside of one's usual comfort zone. Current in-patient offerings tend to work on systems that support systems, with improvements often not sustained post discharge.  First responders come from occupations that are high tempo and high-risk, often involving shift-work and chaos. Achieving potential health trajectory shifts in this group requires intensity, led by a team of professionals who can provide personalised, medically driven care that meets unique needs. The rural-based location is deliberate, using a novel environment to stimulate neural interest and optimise recovery.  

bluegum HEALTH care is based on self-agency, which can be scaled depending on individual needs (including community detoxification as required). Groups are cohorted with participation and openness to growth assumed. Anyone identified as requiring urgent acute in-patient care will be guided with referral assistance.

Based in its rural home at Bombala, bluegum HEALTH is based on relocating people from their usual haunts to a comfortable but no-frills space, allowing intense focus on recovery and care episodes.  Workup is biopsychosocial and culturally anchored in the ethos of flexibility to individual needs. Remaining outside the hospital system and away from usual suburban / CBD based practices further promotes agency. Weather and body permitting, sessions are provided offsite at Bluegum Bush Retreat, an alpine bush block south of Jindabyne.