Are there any costs involved?

  • SURe is funded by the Department of Health & Human Services, therefore there are no costs associated with any of the services provided by SURe.
  • In addition, you are not required to obtain a mental health plan to receive any services by SURe.
  • EACH and Anglicare Victoria are NFP and charitable organisations. Donations above $2 are tax deductable.

Where does SURe provide services?

  • SURe provides services across the catchment areas of Inner East, Outer East and South East Melbourne. This incorporates the following local government (LGAs) of:
Inner East Outer East South East
  • Boroondara
  • Manningham
  • Monash
  • Whitehorse
  • Maroondah
  • Knox
  • Yarra Ranges
  • Greater Dandenong
  • Casey
  • Cardinia
  • SURe also provides an intake and secondary consultation service via a central phone number.
    • SURe central number is available 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday – 1300 00 SURe(7873)
  • Emails will be responded to within 2 business days.
  • SURe’s actual offices are:-
    Inner East Phone Comments
    EACH
    Suite 2-3
    26-28 Prospect St Box Hill VIC 3128    		 03 8892 4200 Primary Inner East Site
    (Business Hours with some after hour appointments Monday & Tuesday)
    Anglicare
    7 – 11 Shipley St, Box Hill VIC 3128    		 03 9896 6322 Secondary Inner East Site
    (Business Hours with some after hour appointments)
    Co-located with Doncare
    MC2 Building Level 1
    Unit 4 / 687 Doncaster Rd Doncaster VIC 3108    		 03 9856 1500 Tertiary Inner East Site
    (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
    (Business Hours with some after hour appointments on Monday only)
    Outer East Phone Comments
    EACH
    Building B
    46 Warrandyte Rd Ringwood VIC 3134    		 03 9871 1800 Primary Outer East Site
    Intake & Assessment Hub
    (Business Hours with some after hour appointments Tuesday & Wednesday only)
    Anglicare Victoria
    666 Mountain Hwy Bayswater VIC 3153    		 03 9721 3688 Secondary Outer East Site
    (Business Hours with some after hour appointments on Tuesday only)
    EACH
    2468 Warburton Hwy Yarra Junction VIC 3797    		 03 5967 5800 Tertiary Outer East Site
    (Monday – Friday)
    Co-located with HICCI
    351 Main St Healesville    		  03 5965 3529 Co-location
    (Business Hours – Fridays only)
    South East Phone Comments
    EACH
    66 Victor Cres Narre Warren VIC 3805    		 03 8781 9500 Primary South East Site (Business Hours only)
    EACH
    38 Bakewell St Cranbourne VIC 3977    		 03 5990 7900 Secondary South East Site (Business Hours and evening appointments on Wednesday only)

What hours does SURe provide service?

  • SURe provides the majority of services during business hours. That means Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
  • The Centralised Intake & Assessment service operates during business hours.
  • Currently limited counselling services are available afterhours (between 5 -8pm) at the Ringwood and Bayswater sites. 

Is everything I say confidential?

  • All clinicians recognise that your privacy and confidentiality is important, hence at SURe we treat your information with respect and confidentiality.
  • We will not speak to any family members or other professionals without your consent.
  • Your consent to consult with others will be required; preferably we will obtain your signed consent.
  • Your privacy is maintained and your confidence will not be broken, except in certain circumstances:
    • Concerned for your safety
    • Concerned for another’s safety
    • Can prevent a crime
    • Subpoenaed by the courts

Do you utilise interpreters?

  • We recognise for some people communication can be an issue. Therefore we will make every effort to access accredited and qualified interpreters.
  • Any use of interpreters will not cost you.
  • Interpreting services that SURe utilise are:-
    • VITS (Victorian Interpreting Telephone Service)
    • On-Call Interpreting Services

Can I have a significant other with me?

  • Throughout the process of accessing services at SURe, we recognise that you might want someone to attend to support you.
  • As this is your journey of recovery, you can bring anyone with you.
  • You can bring a friend, parent/relative, partner or a support worker.

Can my Family get help?

  • The SURe Program recognises that living with issues around substance use is not isolated to the individual.
  • Families and significant others also have their own needs.
  • If you as a family wish to have a brief intervention, we at SURe can offer up to 4 counselling sessions.
  • In addition, we recognise the benefit of peer support and encourage families to seek additional support via the groups of Family Drug Help. They also have a telephone helpline on 1300 660 068.

Do I have to be abstinent or stop using?

  • SURe will work with you on developing an Individual Recovery Plan.
  • Abstinence is not always the goal for every individual. Therefore SURe clinicians work under a Harm Minimisation model which also encompasses abstinence.
  • We request that if you are substance affected that you reschedule your appointment to a time when you are not substance affected.
  • Also, we recognise that if you use more than one substances you might have different goals and abstinence might not be the goal for each of the substances. 

How many sessions do I have to come for?

  • SURe is funded by the Department of Health & Human Services. With the model of intervention, we provide an individual the following “Course of Treatment”
    • Centralised Intake & Assessment ( 1- 2 sessions on average)
    • Counselling
      • Up to 4 sessions (Standard Presentation)
      • Up to 15 sessions (Complex Presentation)
    • Care Recovery
      • Up to 15 sessions
    • Non-residential Withdrawal
      • Varies upon withdrawal regime, generally multiple contacts per week for up to 4 weeks
    • Family Counselling
      • Up to 4 sessions
    • However, if at the end of your course of treatment, you have additional needs or further goals have been identified, you may be eligible for a further “Course of Treatment”.
    • If further involvement is required, you might be required to complete a more up to date assessment, especially if your first assessment is more than 3 months old.

How do I access detox (withdrawal)/ rehab?

  • With your initial contact with the Centralised Intake & Assessment clinician we will be working collaboratively with you to develop an Individual or Family Recovery Plan.
  • If part of the plan requires you to complete a withdrawal or rehabilitation program, clinicians with your consent will be putting referrals in to appropriate services.
  • Generally referrals to withdrawal or rehabilitation services will be made by the Centralised Intake & Assessment Clinician to help streamline the process. Your counsellor will be made aware of any referrals that have been made.
  • If your goals change during your work with your clinician, they will be able to assist in making referrals.
  • Some services do not require referrals (e.g. AA), your clinician however will be able to provide you with the information.

Do I need private health insurance?

  • No, the SURe program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, no additional payments are required by people accessing support through this program.
  • However EACH and Anglicare Victoria are NFP and charitable organisations. Donations above $2 are tax deductable.

Do I need a mental health plan?

  • No, there is no requirement to have a Mental Health Plan to access the SURe program.
  • However, your General Practitioner is able to make a referral to the SURe program on your behalf.
  • If you feel additional mental health support would be beneficial then your clinician can support you in accessing services to develop a Mental Health Plan. This would be in collaboration with your General Practitioner. 

What if I don’t live in the area can I still see a SURe clinician (What if I don’t live near a SURe Site)?

  • We at SURe recognise that going to a service in your local area is difficult for various reasons.
  • In addition, the Department of Health & Human Services, believe like SURe, that you should have choice.
  • So, yes you can attend the SURe program even if you do not live in the area.
  • We only have one requirement that you are willing to travel to your chosen site for your appointments.

Do you have male and female clinicians?

  • Yes, each site has a diverse range of clinicians based on age, gender, cultural background and experience.
  • We make every effort to provide a clinician that you’re likely to feel comfortable with.

Do you run groups?

  • SURe is constantly evolving its services; therefore there may be a suitable group for you. We encourage you to speak to your SURe counsellor regarding groups that may be offered in your location.

If we are not running an appropriate group for you, we will endeavour to find something that fits into your Recovery Plan.