People in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region living with mental illness now have better access to essential supplies to support their wellbeing, thanks to the expansion of Keith's Closet to Shellharbour Hospital.
Minister for Health Ryan Park today officially opened the new service, made possible thanks to an investment of $185,000 by the Minns Labor Government to open additional Keith's Closets across NSW, including Sydney, the Illawarra and Northern NSW.
Keith's Closet is a walk-in wardrobe which helps to clothe and support vulnerable clients with everyday essentials and is co-located at Shellharbour Hospital for those people navigating severe mental health or mental illness recovery.
Keith's Closet is open to people who have an arranged 'shopping visit' with their assigned nurse where they can select outfits, footwear and toiletries from the donated wardrobe of goods inside.
Pioneered by Keith Donnelly, former Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist in the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, the program has been running since 2019.
For more information on Keith's Closet, visit www.keithscloset.org
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"Since its establishment at Prince of Wales Hospital in 2019, Keith's Closet has been supporting mental health consumers to access to essential supplies to support their wellbeing.
"When patients visit Keith's Closet, they can choose from a range of donated goods like clothes, shoes, toiletries - all with a view to helping them feel better about themselves so they can focus on their treatment and recovery.
"Focused on fostering dignity and respect within the care process, Keith's Closet is a truly inspiring space.
"I'm so pleased to support the expansion of Keith's Closet to another NSW site where I am sure it will be really beneficial for patients."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
"Keith's Closet reflects the kind of mental health care we believe in. It is practical, compassionate and grounded in dignity.
"This is a simple idea that makes a powerful difference. A clean shirt, a pair of shoes, a toothbrush, these are small things that can help someone feel themselves again and focus on their recovery.
"We are working to build a mental health system that supports people as they are. Keith's Closet does that by meeting people with kindness and giving them what they need."
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
"The new Keith's Closet, located within Shellharbour Hospital, is helping to provide more comprehensive support to people in our community living with mental illness.
"This innovative model of care builds on the compassionate care health staff at Shellharbour Hospital provide each and every day to these vulnerable patients."
Quotes attributable to Keith's Closet Founder Keith Donnelly:
"During my time as a student and qualified mental health nurse, I recognised that patients accessing our services often arrived at hospital with just the clothes on their backs and with limited access to alternative clothing, toiletries and accessories.
"It's exciting to see Keith's Closet grow and now benefit consumers in the Illawarra.
"It's also really important to acknowledge Keith's Closet would not be the success it is without the amazing support of our volunteers, our sponsors and the wider community."
