Southern NSW – Mandala House

 

Funded by NSW Ministry of Health (SNSWLHD).

 

WHOS Mandala House® TC is a 4 – 6 months residential drug free treatment program based
on the Therapeutic Community (TC) model for men and women situated at Goulburn in
Southern NSW.

 

Our programs aim is to provide a safe and secure environment where men and women who suffer from alcohol and other drug dependence and its related problems can concentrate on their recovery.

The therapeutic community (TC) model means that the community itself, through self-help and mutual support, is the principal means for promoting personal change. The client community, in concert with staff, work together to overcome the problem of substance dependence and promote personal change.

At WHOS, clients (referred to as residents) and staff participate in the management and day to day operation of the TC community, providing a safe environment. Residents are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and build their awareness of the effect their behaviour has on themselves and the community around them.

Residents have their own room in a large building with men and women’s accommodation including separate bathroom facilities. All residents participate in the running of the TC Community.

Day to day

 

Residents attend in-house groups covering topics such as:

• Drug dependence education including drug overdose and relapse prevention
• Social and communication skills, assertiveness skills and self esteem building
• Community ‘unity’ & peer feedback sessions
• Harm reduction including education on HIV/Hep C as well as CPR information
• Skills based education (e.g. communications skills, conflict resolution)
• TAFE run computer skills course

 

Each day, residents are also given free time to relax in TV /lounge areas or socialise with each other over the pool table, table tennis or outdoor games like totem tennis and Botchy.

 

There is onsite access to exercise equipment (bike, rowing machine, elliptical ) and go for community walks three times a week.

 

Other organised activities include:

• physical exercise such as bushwalks, volleyball & hoopball.
• wellness sessions e.g. meditation,  yoga, exercise.
• activity nights once a week such as karaoke, trivia etc.
• Sunday special activities such as Aquatic pool – BBQ, Movies, Lazer Tag & ten pin bowling.