For 12 months the Family Empowerment Program was run as a pilot by Charles Sturt University’s Rural Health Research Institute.

The program was offered across rural Australia for 12 months with practitioners trained to provide online therapy for people supporting their loved ones struggling with substance use.

In this episode of The Other Side of Addiction, a podcast sharing the stories from the Family Empowerment Program, we meet Shanna Whan, founder and CEO of Sober in the Country.

Shanna is working hard to drive change for rural Australians struggling with substance abuse. Shanna’s work has been acknowledged with countless awards and commendations as well as being named the 2022 Australian of the Year Local Hero.

Through her work with rural Australians reaching out for help with substance abuse, Shanna also hears heartbreaking stories of family members doing their best to be the support network their loved ones need.

This is why she jumped on board with the Family Empowerment Program, to encourage more specific and substance focused support for Australians in the bush.

Please be aware, this episode features conversations about drug, alcohol and substance abuse. If this raises anything for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Credits:

Episode guest: Shanna

Producer and interviewer: Kia Handley

Artwork: Finn Redmond

For more information about the FEP: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/rural-health/research/rural-health/family-empowerment-program

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