Steph Cooke MP
Member for Cootamundra

Wednesday, 24 January 2025 Subjects: Wallendbeen Bridge, Cootamundra Health Petition, Investment in Mental Health Services, Australia...

Tuesday, 10 October 2023 Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging everyone across the local area to pause and take a moment to...

​​Tuesday, 16 August 2022​ People with lived experience of mental illness and their carers are helping shape the future of the Mental Health Line by sharing their experience with the NSW Government.   Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the 1800 011 511 NSW Mental Health Line was a free phone service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering specialist advice, support and referral to specialist NSW Health mental health services.   “We want to ensure it co

​​Friday, 19 November 2021​ People in the Cootamundra electorate experiencing mental health distress will now be able to access support in two new ways, thanks to a pair of new suicide prevention initiatives. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the addition of two Safe Havens to existing community-based supports in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. “Instead of struggling alone, anyone who is experiencing mental health distress can now head to the purpose-desig

​​Thursday, 18 November 2021​ People impacted by suicide in the Cootamundra electorate will now have access to a new support service to help them navigate the day-to-day challenges brought about by the tragic death of a member of their community. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said that post-suicide, it is critical to support loved ones as well as the wider community. “For friends and family, the death of a loved one by suicide is not only heartbreaking and shocking, i

​​Friday, 3 September 2021​ The NSW Government’s Suicide Prevention Fund has given a boost to mental health services in regional NSW as they continue to experience high-demand during the COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the funding will improve access to mental health support for people living in the electorate. “Our regional communities are among the identified at-risk groups known to have higher rates of suicide,” Ms Cooke said. “As

​​Thursday, 19 August 2021​ A unique partnership between the National Mental Health Commission and Australia’s national mental health organisations who specialise in supporting children, young people and parents – batyr, Beyond Blue, Butterfly Foundation, headspace, Kids Helpline, Orygen, and ReachOut – has today launched #ChatStarter. This first-of-its-kind campaign will harness the power of social media to engage parents and young people alike, with Facebook Australia prov

​​Thursday, 5 August 2021​ The NSW Government is continuing to prioritise student wellbeing by ensuring a strong pipeline of qualified mental health professionals in our schools. The impacts of COVID-19, drought, flooding and bushfires have played out within our school communities, making mental health a key challenge facing young people across the state. Our Government is committed to supporting students through these challenges by providing over 80 scholarships this year

​​Friday, 16 July 2021​ Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has commenced a series of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Information Evenings in the electorate, which are being held in conjunction with the Murrumbidgee Local Response Group. The Murrumbidgee Local Response Group comprises representatives from the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Wellways and NSW Police. Following the success of the first event held in Young on Wednesda

​​Monday, 31 August 2020​ People in the Cootamundra electorate are being reminded that there are a number of free, confidential and easy to access mental health supports available in person, on the phone and online around the clock. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said that mental health programs and services are available both for young people and the wider community, and encouraged anyone needing assistance to reach out now. “It’s great that mental health is in such foc

​​Thursday, 12 March 2020​ The NSW Baggy Blues have hit a six for mental health awareness in Cootamundra, hosting a coaching clinic and a T20 game. The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program has partnered with the Baggy Blues to undertake a regional tour aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote available assistance. Former and current NSW cricket players teamed up with the Cootamundra District Cricket Association to host a T20 game, with the Member

​​Monday, 13 January 2020​ The NSW Government is deploying teams of mental health clinicians to support people suffering from the bushfire crisis to help rebuild their lives. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said that it is important that we realise that the effects of the bushfires on community members will continue long after the crisis period has passed. “We all pull together during a crisis, but we need to remember that the trauma that fire affected community members,

30 November 2017 Mental health consumers in the Cootamundra electorate will benefit from the NSW Government’s investment in around 30 new Peer Worker positions across NSW, including the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP, today announced the $2.7 million investment would reach the Cootamundra electorate, to help mental health consumers transition from hospital, back into the community. “This funding will provide further early interventio