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WORKER-LED REHABILITATION, OUTPATIENT, OUTREACH SERVICE, AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICE

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OUR 
STORY

Just before lunch on 15 October 1970, the West Gate Bridge suddenly groaned. An eerie pinging noise filled the air. A storm of rust flakes peeled off weathered steel. The girders started to turn blue. The bridge fell away beneath their feet.

 

Minutes later, 35 workers were dead.

The crossing honours and remembers the workers who lost their lives during and after this incident, and the survivors facing additional challenges related to drug, alcohol, and mental health issues stemming from workplace trauma.

 

Our hearts go out to all affected by this tragedy and their families. As an organisation, we are deeply committed to supporting workers throughout Victoria, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare when they need it the most. The Crossing believes that by fostering a caring and understanding environment, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of the working people.

WHAT IS THE CROSSING?

The Crossing is a proposition to open a 28-day inpatient, outpatient and outreach service to support union members and their families in overcoming alcohol, drug and gambling addiction. The service will be run as part of a partnership between many Victorian branches of unions & Odyssey House and will be based on Foundation House, a single union initiation in response to high rates of members dealing with risky substance misuse of drugs, alcohol, and gambling and mental health conditions.

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The Crossing will include continuous outpatient support for members and their families.  This will include mental health and suicide prevention, impairment training, addiction & harm reduction training, and 24-hour real-time support for members, health & safety representatives, delegates and organisers. In line with our trade union values, we will also dedicate 10% of our bed stock to some of the most disadvantaged members of our community.

The Crossing will ensure that working people and their families will have access to treatment when they need it most without fear of stigma, shame or financial pressure.

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Accessing healthcare should never be dependent on your bank account or cost you your job. 

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