Wollongong has a new, casual, Safe Haven to help stop suicide

Called Safe Haven, it's a drop-in centre not far from Wollongong Hospital which is designed to feel less like a clinic than a visit to a relative's house - a place where people in suicidal distress can feel safe, in the company of a team of trained peer workers who have their own lived experience of suicidality and distress.

Read more: Three steps anyone can learn to prevent suicide

That's the idea at 55 Urunga Parade, where white-railed stairs lead to a welcoming weatherboard cottage with high ceilings, polished floorboards, a variety of comfortable rooms filled with couches, gentle lighting and sensory aids, and of course, a kitchen.

The heart of any house, this well-appointed kitchen is the place people can stand, sit, lean or cook, have a cuppa and feel a bit safer than before.

Funded by NSW Health and operated by mental health services organisation Stride, the Wollongong drop-in house is one of 20 such sites being trialled statewide, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District mental health director Julie Carter said.

"Many people are unsure where to go after hours, and Safe Haven is another deliberately non-clinical option ... often people experiencing suicide distress don't need clinical environment of an emergency department, and this is a great alternative to that," she said.

"At Safe Haven you can meet with peer workers, each with their own experience who can empathise and provide a safe non-judgmental place to talk.

"It is our hope that people who may be reluctant to seek support from more traditional mental health services will be persuaded to come to Safe Haven."

Stride national manager for projects and change Melissa Penn said the house was aimed at adults, and open 2pm-10pm Wednesday to Sunday.

Ms Penn said there had been greater demand for Stride's services over the past 18 month pandemic period, and already about a dozen people have used the drop-in service since is opened its doors recently.

"It's a drop-in service, you don't need a referral or an appointment - if you're feeling distressed you can come in and use the space," she said.

"It's whatever an individual needs - it can be a quiet space where you can sit ... but importantly we have peer workers here who have lived experience, who can sit and talk to them about what they're going through and develop a support plan for them, a safety plan, so they can walk out of here with a network of supports to help them through."

Help is always available: call Lifeline on 13 11 14; Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

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