Safe Haven North Coast has provided effective mental health supports for people across the region since it was established in 2022, but is now running out of funding.
The service was commissioned by Healthy North Coast and delivered The Buttery was initiated following the catastrophic Northern Rivers flooding in 2022, as part of the NSW Government 2022–2025 Mental Health and Wellbeing Flood Recovery Package.
Since opening, more than 20,000 participants have received support across the sites. Participants have shared that Safe Haven services helped them feel less distressed, more connected to others, and better supported during difficult times.
In April 2025, the NSW government provided additional funding to support an extension to the delivery of Safe Haven services in Lismore, Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby up to June 2026.
Service ending
As this funded period comes to an end, the Buttery says it’s supporting participants to connect with other mental health and wellbeing services across the region, this includes the Medicare Mental Health Phone Service, on 1800 595 212.
This phone service is available to anyone in the community 24/7 and can connect people to free or low-cost local and telehealth-based services, so support remains available when it is needed.
In Lismore, Healthy North Coast and the Northern NSW Local Health District have worked with the NSW Ministry of Health to secure a one-year extension for a revised hybrid Safe Haven outreach model through to 30 June 2027.
As part of this transition, The Buttery’s current Lismore Safe Haven site will close in mid-June 2026, while support continues in a different form to help reach people where they are.
Thanks
Healthy North Coast says it sincerely thanks The Buttery and Safe Haven staff for the care, dedication and compassion they have shown in delivering valued support to the community over the past four years.
Healthy North Coast and The Buttery acknowledge the many organisations, including local Councils, that helped establish the Safe Havens in record time after the devastating flooding across the region. Their partnership and commitment helped create places of safety, comfort and connection when they were needed most.
If you require immediate 24/7 help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13YARN (13 9276). In an emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
For a full list of crisis and support numbers, see this link.
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