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About Distress Brief Support
Distress Brief Support (DBS) is a national initiative funded under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. It recognises that distress is a common human experience and that not everyone needs or wants a clinical response when life feels overwhelming.
Everyone experiences distress from time to time. Life can feel overwhelming, and when it does, people often need understanding, connection and practical support before anything else.
Where is Distress Brief Support available?
Distress Brief Support is currently available in:
- Atherton Tablelands and Mareeba Region - Delivered in partnership with Mareeba Community Centre and funded by Northern Queensland PHN.
- Ipswich and Somerset Regions - Delivered in partnership with Open Minds and funded by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN.
While local names may differ across regions, the purpose remains the same: providing compassionate, early support for adults experiencing distress.
What is Distress?
People experience distress for many reasons - relationship pressures, financial stress, housing challenges, caring responsibilities, health concerns, loneliness, grief or feeling disconnected can all affect our wellbeing.
Distress looks different for everyone. Sometimes people feel overwhelmed, stuck, isolated or unsure of what to do next.
Not everyone needs the same kind of support. Sometimes a supportive conversation, a listening ear, or help to take the next step is enough. People want to feel heard, understood and connected to support that makes sense for their situation.
What is Distress Brief Support?
Distress Brief Support provides free, early, non-clinical support for adults experiencing distress.
The model recognises that small moments of support can make a meaningful difference. Being noticed, heard and met with compassion can help people feel more connected, more hopeful and better supported to navigate life's challenges.
Distress Brief Support brings together trusted community connections and dedicated short-term support to create an early pathway to help.
The model includes two key components:
Community Engagement Points
Community Engagement Points are trusted people, groups and organisations who are well placed to notice when someone may be struggling.
They provide a compassionate first response and, if the person would like additional support, can help connect them to the next step.
In the Ipswich and Somerset regions, Community Engagement Points are known as Community Connectors.
Short-Term Support Team
The Short-Term Support Team provides free, confidential, non-clinical support.
The team walks alongside a person, helping them make sense of what is happening, explore options, strengthen connections and access other supports or community activities if they choose.
In the Atherton Tablelands and Mareeba region, this support is provided by the Wellbeing Team. In the Ipswich and Somerset region, support is provided through Step With You Peer Workers.
Working together, Community Engagement Points and the Short-Term Support Team create an early, community-based pathway that helps people feel supported, connected and in control of their next steps.