People living with mental illness in Northern NSW are set to benefit from better access to essential clothing and supplies to support their wellbeing, thanks to the expansion of Keith's Closet to Lismore Mental Health Services.
Minister for Health Ryan Park, Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin officially opened the service, made possible thanks to an investment of $185,000 by the NSW Government to open additional Keith's Closets across NSW, including at the Lismore Base Hospital campus.
The Lismore outlet is the sixth Keith's Closet to open since the not-for-profit charity began operating in 2019, and the first outside of Sydney and the Illawarra.
Keith's Closet is a walk-in wardrobe which helps to clothe and support vulnerable clients with everyday essentials and is co-located at Tallowwood Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Lismore Mental Health Services.
It 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:
"Keith's Closet has been supporting mental health consumers to access essential supplies to support their wellbeing since its establishment in 2019.
"Focused on fostering dignity and respect, Keith's Closet is a truly inspiring space.
"When mental health consumers visit Keith's Closet, they can choose from a range of donated goods like clothes, shoes and toiletries. This helps them feel better about themselves so they can focus on their treatment and recovery.
"I'm so pleased to support the expansion of Keith's Closet to another NSW site where I am sure it will deliver for mental health consumers."
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 Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin:
"The new Keith's Closet, located at the Lismore Mental Health Service, will provide meaningful support to those in our community living with mental illness.
"This innovative model of care builds on the compassionate care health staff at Lismore Mental Health Services provide each and every day to the most vulnerable in our community."
Quotes attributable to Keith's Closet Founder Keith Donnelly:
"During my time as a student and qualified mental health nurse, I recognised that mental health consumers accessing our services often arrived at hospital with just the clothes on their backs and limited access to alternative clothing, toiletries and accessories.
"This is about swapping the traditional hospital white gown for good quality clothing and accessories, helping to reduce stigma and boost morale and wellbeing.
"It's exciting to see Keith's Closet grow and now benefit patients in the Lismore area.
"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."
