Reports
Door-to-door for mental health: Reports July 2024
The act of knocking on a door to check in on the household is not new. As a show of care, this has presumably worked to keep people well and connected to natural supports throughout history and across diverse cultures. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project has turned this simple idea into a large-scale program adapted to the contemporary Australian context and implemented across diverse communities. Between 2021 and 2024, teams of two, three or four people –...
ACDC Project Impact, Research & Evaluation Reports
Australian-first study opens the door to our mental health crisis. A joint study with Centre for Social Impact (CSI) More than 37,000 homes door-knocked across the country to talk about the mental health of households Believed to be the only mental health study of its kind globally This major investigation revealed huge numbers of Australians are in distress, with many struggling to access support The largest ever doorknock delving into the mental health of households...
City of Salisbury Community Report – ACDC Project
A door-to-door mental health and wellbeing survey in Salisbury, Salisbury North and Paralowie has found that of those who had unsuccessfully tried to access mental health support, 1 in 5 said they did not get the care they needed because the process was too complex, difficult, or overwhelming. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project’s People Connectors spoke with and offered information to more than 1000 householders in Salisbury, some of whom then completed a survey...
South Burnett Community Report – ACDC Project
A door-to-door mental health and wellbeing survey in Cherbourg, Kingaroy and Murgon has found poor digital infrastructure is a barrier for people in the South Burnett region reaching out for help. 30% of respondents experienced one or more barriers to accessing telehealth services, and 28% reported having limited or no access to a private space at home where they could speak to someone online about their mental health and wellbeing. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC)...
Cumberland Community Report – ACDC Project
A door-to-door mental health and wellbeing survey in Westmead, Wentworthville and South Wentworthville has found that nearly two in five householders reported worrying about their housing and living conditions. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project’s People Connectors spoke with and offered information to 1,544 householders in Cumberland, who then completed a survey of their experiences with mental health and accessing support. The top three issues of concern for...
City of Stirling Community Report – ACDC Project
A door-to-door mental health and wellbeing survey in Mirrabooka, Nollamara, and Westminster has found that the primary barrier that prevented householders from contacting services for their mental health and wellbeing was feeling afraid, embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project’s People Connectors spoke with and offered information to 617 householders in the City of Stirling, 202 of whom then completed a survey of their...
Townsville Community Report – ACDC Project
A door-to-door mental health and wellbeing survey has found that of the householders who reported needing support in the last 12 months, 44% did not receive the support they needed. People Connectors from the innovative Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project spoke with and offered information to 1,121 householders in Aitkenvale Heatley and Rasmussen, 201 of whom then completed a survey of their experiences with mental health and accessing support. The most frequently...
Dandenong Community Report – ACDC Project
An innovative door-to-door mental health and wellbeing survey has found that householders from Dandenong and Dandenong North indicated that the primary barrier to contacting services was not feeling unwell enough to seek help. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project’s People Connectors spoke with and offered information to nearly 1,206 householders in Dandenong and Dandenong North, 294 of whom then completed a survey of their experiences with mental health and...
People Connector Capacity Building Report
People Connector Capacity Building Report The People Connector Capacity Building Report captures the individual capacity building of People Connectors who were the backbone of the ACDC Project. Being a People Connector requires unique skills and capabilities to undertake the proactive outreach approach. At the end of the ACDC project, I realised that listening to people actively, by connecting with them genuinely, fills me with joy and satisfaction. People Connector in Questionnaire Building...
Cabramatta Community Report – ACDC Project
A new door-to-door mental health and wellbeing survey has found that householders from Cabramatta indicated that financial stress was the greatest concern in their own lives, as well as for their local community. Further, 14% of householders reported that not having enough food was a large challenge in their lives. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project’s People Connectors spoke with and offered information to nearly 928...