The South East Junction is anticipated to close when a motion is presented at a special general meeting on September 27 to dissolve the mental health organisation.
South East Junction coordinator Nel Jans said the South East Junction would close “unless a miracle happened”, however she said this was very unlikely.
Ms Jans said due to COVID-19, participant and volunteer numbers decreased and some mental health organisations received State or Federal government funding to organise similar activities to The Junction, which does not receive government funding.
“I wanted to pull back, do less and we have been trying to find somebody to succeed me,” Ms Jans said.
“Two years ago just before COVID hit we approached the local health network, the councils, different organisations, but it did not happen and it’s not sustainable in that way.
“I cannot continue forever, so we had to make the difficult decision to present that motion.
“It was a very difficult decision because our volunteers have been there from the beginning, most of them.
“Participants, they enjoy it, they feel they are in a safe environment where they can learn skills, build skills or rebuild skills and manage their mental health issues.
“Also for the general public, I feel we have been able to make a difference and de-stigmatise it a bit over the years.”
Ms Jans came on board with The Junction in 2010, which was started in 2009, became incorporated in 2012 and received charitable and gift recipient status.
“But that meant we had to find our own money to operate and we were very fortunate that Grant District Council were the first ones who gave us some money and we received a grant from Stand Like Stone,” Ms Jans said.
“That still has continued, we received a lot of support from the local area as well as grants we applied for on State and Federal levels.
“But we have always been able to run on an oily rag and that has been good because we never had a lot of funds but enough to operate and organise activities for the two groups we run.”
The groups are in Mount Gambier and Millicent and Lifeboat SE was affiliated with the South East Junction.
Lifeboat is in the process of becoming incorporated and the Millicent group has transitioned to Skylight Mental Health.
The Junction offered various activities including cooking, social education sessions in Mount Gambier and Millicent, exercises and mental health first aid courses.
However, the organisation will continue to run mental health first aid courses until the end of the year along with a ‘Changing Tracks’ program for men through a partnership with ac.care and Baptist Care.
“I’m a great believer in making use of your potential and opportunities that are offered to you,” Ms Jans said.
“We had a 13 year run and I think we have been very committed and gave people chances to develop themselves and we made a little bit of a difference.”
