Step Up Step Down Program is a residential mental health program that aims to prevent relapse and to help people in recovering from an acute episode of mental illness.

About this service

Step Up Step Down has two residential facilities:

• Adult Step Up Step Down, located in Lyneham, and
• Southside Community Step Up Step Down in Garran.

People stay at our facilities to 'step-up' from the community into a highly supportive environment when they are becoming unwell to prevent further relapse.

People may also 'step down' from a hospital setting to enable a more graduated return to the community.

Southside Community Step Up Step Down offers a six-week program in partnership with Stride. It includes two weeks of residential support and four weeks of outreach (non-residential) support provided by Woden Community Services.

For further information on this program please visit the Stride SUSD website.

Adult Step Up Step Down offers up to three calendar months of support. This includes both residential support with Wellways and up to six weeks’ outreach (non-residential) support.

For further information on this program please visit the Wellways SUSD website.

These programs do not cost anything, although you need to supply your own food and medications.

Who we care for

Southside Community Step Up Step Down provides services to people aged 18 to 65 years who are currently linked with another Canberra Health Services Mental Health service.

Adult Step Up Step Down provides services to people aged 25 to 65 years who are being clinically managed by another Canberra Health Services mental health service.

How to access this service

Although you are not able to self-refer, if you are interested in accessing the Adult Step Up Step Down program, please speak with someone from your mental health team.

Further information on the criteria and referral pathways for the Southside Community Step Up Step Down program can be found on the Stride website.

What to expect

Once we have received your referral, we will contact you to arrange a time for an initial meeting.

We place people in the program based on need and suitability, so waiting times can vary.

Both houses are for voluntary participation only and require the person’s consent.

What to bring

• Please bring yourself and a support person if you would like. We can provide further details at the appointment.

Where we're located

We will let you know where the service is located once your referral is accepted.

Feedback

To provide feedback on either of the Step Up Step Down programs, please visit our feedback page.