By Elisabeth Champion
Mental health organisation The South East Junction will be closing its door at the end of year after more than a decade of helping the community.
For 13 years, the organisation has offered support for those with mental health issues through activities, workshops and public courses.
They have seen a huge number of clients come through the door but on September 27, a motion will be moved at a meeting to dissolve The Junction.
Manager Nel Jans said the organisation, which gets no government funding and relies entirely on grants, donations and fundraising, had been desperately trying to stay afloat, but it was no longer sustainable.
“It took me a while to get used to the idea that it might not be sustainable, and we tried,“ she said.
“For two years, we have been looking for someone to succeed me, so we had talks with council, with the local health network, with other organisations, but nothing came out of that.
“There comes a time where as an organisation you have to make a decision as to do we continue or is it now time to leave it to other people and other organisations.“
The Millicent branch will be taken over by Skylight, while the Mount Gambier clients will be able to attend a number of the other services in the region.
As sad as she is to say goodbye to the the organisation, Ms Jans said she was proud about how they have helped all of their clients.
“I think we have achieved a lot to destigmatise mental illness,“ she said.
“I wasn’t happy initially because I didn’t want it to end, but I am very pleased with how we have managed to get all the groups in the right places so they can continue.
“Skylight have taken over the Millicent group, and the participants can choose to attend Skylight, but most of our regulars are doing fine – they have things in the community.
“That’s what this is about, it’s about inclusion, so they have found things in the community, with the community.“
The group will continue with its mental health first aid courses monthly until the end of the year and they are still running a course for men who are at risk of committing domestic violence.
Ms Jans joined the organisation as a 12 years ago, and has been doing it in a voluntary capacity for 10, and said she was looking forward to enjoying her retirement.
