The roof going up on the $122.7 million Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) at the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) signifies a major milestone, but it’s the people behind the build that are bringing its pioneering vision to life.
The design and development of the mental health facility has been a collaborative effort, incorporating feedback from those with lived experience and the broader community.
Among the voices contributing to the build is Titta Gigante, a Mental Health Peer Worker at Gold Coast Health.
“For me, this is an opportunity to give back to the community,” Titta says.
“And it serves as a reminder to people facing challenging times that they’re not alone – there are people here who genuinely care.
“For the people who will visit the new facility, my message is simple: I care, we care, and you are not alone.”
Titta, who brings valuable insights from her lived experience, has played a crucial role in ensuring the facility is designed with the future consumers’ needs in mind.
“The SMHRU will provide a space where people can grow and have an opportunity to live a meaningful life,” Titta explains.
“After all, we all deserve the right to be happy and live a meaningful life.”
Scheduled to be fully operational by early 2025, construction for the SMHRU remains on track to be finished by the end of 2024.
The facility is the first of its kind in the public system on the Gold Coast, designed to care for individuals with severe and complex mental health disorders in a home-like environment, complete with ample natural light, external courtyards and artwork created by local artists.
With its purposeful design, the facility enables residents to receive the care and treatment they need within their community.
Contributions behind the build from individuals like Titta, continue to inspire and lead the way to a more inclusive and empathetic approach to mental health services.
