New Wellness Centre Opens AT St John Of God Richmond Hospital

The first stage of the St John of God Richmond Hospital $65 million redevelopment was unveiled on August 3 commencing with a tour of the new mental health wellness centre.

A special Veterans’ Day Service formed part of the celebration.

This latest redevelopment delivers contemporary mental health care that builds connection, improves lives and tranforms the way care is provided, particularly for our veterans and first responders.

CEO Burwood and Richmond Hospitals and Grp Lad MH Strategy at St John of God, Colman O’Driscoll said it represented the first class standard of care that veterans and first responders deserved.

“We need to be giving these people, who dedicate their lives to the service of others, every opportunity for recovery and rehabilitation when they are suffering as a result of that service,” Mr O’Driscoll said.

Officially opened by Patron the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, the wellness centre contains a new gym; a group room for yoga, meditation and meetings; exercise physiology treatment rooms and a large indoor swimming pool with shower facilities.

Mr O’Driscoll said that research demonstrated the important role exercise plays in addressing mental health conditions.

“Research increasingly shows that physical activity is vital to our mental health, and essential to our recovery.

“There’s lots of evidence of the impact physical activity has on mental health.

“We are providing crucial interventions here and looking at exercise as medicine in the treatment of mental health conditions.

“Reconnecting people with physical activity in new ways, or for the first time, creates important patterns that support recovery.”

Colman O’Driscoll, said that upon admission to the St John of God hospital, 70 per cent of military veterans and 85 per cent of first responders were diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“We know exercise impacts PTSD, addiction and anxiety in a positive way, with research showing that forming healthy new habits is effective in reducing symptoms,” Mr O’Driscoll said. “We’ve had exercise physiology as part of our programs here at Richmond for many years.”

Chair of Trauma, St John of God Health Care, Professor Zach Steel said the wellness centre was one of the best he had ever seen in Australia.
“People often forget about the horrendous impact that conditions like PTSD can have on the physical health of those affected by this injury,” Professor Steel said.

“Research has confirmed that not only is there an overall reduction in life expectancy but also increased rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and a range of other preventable conditions in those who suffer PTSD.

“It is essential, therefore, that treatment programs focus on the whole person.

“We were one of the first to carry out trials on the effect of exercise in PTSD treatment and now St John of God has placed both physical and mental wellbeing at the heart of our programs with the opening of this new centre.”

St John of God Health Care is working towards establishing a number of satellite centres around the country, with access to trauma recovery programs to support first responders’ and veterans’ mental health needs. Mr O’Driscoll said the next milestone of the Richmond redevelopment, expected to be opened in late October, would include 112 private rooms, with the historic 130-year-old Belmont House remaining a prominent and treasured feature of the new design.

"In March 2023, University of South Australia researchers showed that mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress can be alleviated with physical activity,” Mr O’Driscoll said. “According to their investigation, exercise is 1.5 times more effective than counselling and medications.”

The new facilities are reserved for overnight patients and day care recipients.

Mr O’Driscoll urged anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out, even if it was just for a chat.

“A referral from your GP would be a first point,” he said.

“We didn’t talk about it before, but we’ve come a long way about talking about how we’re feeling.

“We’re more comfortable.

“We need to be able to reach out early.”

One in five people will experience mental health issues in their lifetime, nearly half of those will have life-long, recurring mental health issues.

IMAGE: One of the many features of the new mental health facility at St John of God Richmond Hospital is the swimming pool.

• Topics:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing